flathead

[yellowbellyking]

Can someone tell me which hardbody lures are the best to catch flathead either drifting or trolling plz . i cant get use to soft plastics 8-)

[Noelm]

almost any smallish lure that will "dig" the bottom will catch Flathead. what's wrong with the plastics, just not catching any?

[split-shot]

I have found the MANS+5 in the pink, to be the most productive. If you read up on the results of the flathead classic on the gold coast, they usually advise which lure caught the most fish. I troll the out going tide as slow as possible in the direct of the flow in around one to two metres of water. As noelm advised, the bib must be digging into the bottom. If you like to drift, a live bait is the best.

[yellowbellyking]

i was out with a mate and we where using plastics he was getting fish and me nothing . i couldnt get use to flicking the end of the rod . i have some combat lures and some bibless rattlin spots so i might give them a go.

[blaaahkey]

Iv had good luck on Mirco Mullet in Pink/silver and also in Pink/Purple and also on the Manns 5+ in white ghost, All trolling.
Have also caught a few trevally on the mirco mullet while trolling for flatties.

Blake

[Noelm]

as I said, almost anything will work on Flathead, but it MUST be hitting the bottom, plastics are the easiest Flathead lure by far, do not be fooled into thinking you need to be doing the fancy rod flicks and so on you see on TV, a very slow, stop and wind will work very well for a starter, from there you can work out your own technique. Simple old plastics with a decent lead head will catch Flathead, regardless of colour, shape or brand, a lead headed plastic just dragged along the bottom will catch them, but a bit of rod action can get them when they are being sneaky in hard fished areas.

[Funchy]

+1 on Noelm's advice. It's all about the pause. That is when you get the majority of strikes.

Don't give up too early on the SP's mate. (What you gonna do if the HB's don't work? Pump some yabbies?) ;D

[Mossy247]

Hey yellowbelly, if your looking for an alternative the 1/4 blades are good on flatties, but I would stick with the plastics if it hits the bottom good chance on landing a nice flatty. Personally I find anything with a twirly tail, like the 3" grubs, 4" turtlebacks. You don't always have to have a twitch, I have cuaght many a flathead slowing it down to a slow lift, let it hit the bottom another slow lift... pause..... and yeah I find the flatty will attack most things near them. Get on and check the vids if your keen to persist. I would as I was just like you and now I don't touch the baits and its cheaper to loose a jighead n plastic than a 20buck hardbody. tight lines and best of luck!

[yellowbellyking]

thanks guys for the imfo i will keep on trying it saves on buying bait hey mossy what do you mean by 1/4 blades

[Noelm]

blades are small metal lures that work a treat, but are expensive for what they are, you don't want to loose too many.

[MudRiverDan]

Rapala X rap shad, about the same size as a SX60.
Works pretty well.

Edit: wow I just looked up the current price for these, bit over the top, they should go for about $10.00 each, not sure why the recent price jump.. :(

You can find them on Ebay now and then going for about 7$ a peice.

[Mossy247]

hey mate i just mean the blade lures in a 1/4 oz weight. You can switch rear/middle hooks to different types to get less snags but personally i felt I missed more hits, much or a muchness really in my books trebles work for me also. The blades are successful but can cost abit if you loose a few to a snag or two I agree with Noelm but you could get them cheap enough on ebay (just check hooks n rings are up to scratch). You don't have to have the top price blades as they are pretty much the same basic pattern shape and achieve similar results. As for colours I have had good results on goldy colours, light green also.... tight lines