The best way to reel in the flatties

Flathead would have to be one of the most sought-after fish among recreational anglers. Here’s how to hook your own.

FLATHEAD would have to be one of the most sought-after fish among recreational anglers, if not the most coveted.

After visiting a fish shop recently and seeing the jaw-dropping price, I can understand why. Not only are sand flathead and blue-spot flathead relatively easy to catch, they are also easy to fillet and prepare for the table.

The downside, as we all know, is they are among the fish that cause the most injury to anglers via their spines and gill raking spikes. Many fish, including flathead, lay protein venom into wounds that can cause serious pain and bleeding. Immersion of the affected part into warm to hot water will neutralise the venom. Serious bleeding should of course be treated by covering the wounds.

Brianna Tate with her first flathead for the season, measuring just under 40cm and caught off Lewisham using squid as bait.

All that aside, flathead are very tasty and larger specimens make for fine table fare. Flathead lay in wait in the sand or on rocks with only their eyes protruding. Their mottled colouring makes them well camouflaged. When an unsuspecting crab or prawn swims their way, they strike quickly and aggressively.

If we as anglers mimic the prey’s actions we often have success. If an orange or prawn-coloured soft plastic is jerked repeatedly along the bottom creating puffs of sand, the flathead will often strike.

I catch most of my larger flathead in shallow water and you can try different methods. Try a piece of milar (wine cask material) instead of bait, jig this with a sinker and you will often hook bigger fish. I have even taken flathead on a piece of red wool. They will also take silver lure slices bounced along the bottom, plus deep-diving lures close to the sea floor. I have found flathead will travel some distance off the bottom for a lure off the surface.

A state roundup reveals many fish are now on the chew with tuna anglers faring well not only in the East, but also in the South. Albacore have started to turn up in good numbers and mako are starting to show, no doubt being attracted by scalefish in good numbers.

Freshwater anglers are having a good time of it with good captures on gum-beetle imitations at Arthurs Lake, particularly around the northern end.

Great Lake is swarming with beetles and a good area is around Canal Bay and Todd’s Corner, where prevailing winds have been blowing food over the past week. Anglers using lead line have had success over the past week from the deeper, cooler waters on Great Lake.

Let me know if you are having luck or of any water-related issues by email to [e-mail].