Flathead are a popular fish to catch in Australia, and they can be found in rivers, creeks, and along the coast. The best time to catch flathead is all year round, but they are particularly active in the spring and autumn.
Some of the best places to find flathead are around drop-offs, channels, seagrass beds, and broken reef bottom areas. Flathead are ambush predators, so they like to hide and wait for their prey to swim by.
Flathead can be caught on both bait and lures. Some popular baits include live mullet, gar, prawns, and pillies. Popular lures include soft plastic lures and jig heads.
When fishing for flathead, it is important to use light gear. A 3-6kg spin rod and reel with 4-5kg main line and a 5-6kg leader is ideal.
Here are some additional tips for catching flathead:
- Fish the tide changes. They are more active when the tide is changing.
- Fish in low wind conditions, as they are more difficult to spot in high wind conditions.
- Chuck in a bit of tide timing when you’re fishing. This can really increase your success.
If you are new to flathead fishing, it’s a good idea to hire a charter guide. They can show you the best places to fish and teach you the best techniques. The best man for the job on the Gold Coast is Beau from Capn’s Charters.
