Flathead in the Ross River

[thephotoguru]

4 hours + 100mm Squidgie Fish + tinny + Ross River = 1 Flathead of 45cm.

That's a lot of casts between fish I tell you.

Have been in Townsville for about 5 years and haven't caught a Flathead here yet so I decide last night that it was about time I caught 1.

The only way to catch flathead is on lures (for me anyway).

This morning I cast at sandbars, creek mouths, mud flats and channels with my favourite flathead lure the squidgie fish in Gary Glitter.

When I was on the Gold Coast catching flathead was almost a sure thing, anyone in Townsville regularly catch flathead on lures?

Cheers Eamon

[rhycebullimore]

yes but you have to know your areas, ross river is fished particularly hard.

[ronnien]

rhyce is right, the ross is fished hard.
i have been getting them on 5inch atomic prongs, pearl color, with a 1/8 jig head over sand bars. good on you for catching your first flattie up here mate.

ron.

[Dunkxx]

Ive only caught 2 in the past year and i go down to the Ross land based most weekends too. The guys are right in saying the ross get smashed pretty hard.
I caught mine on Berkley powerbait 3" fortail watermelon colour with 1/8oz jighead.
cheers
dunks

[thephotoguru]

Thanks for the feedback.

Looks like I will have to drive a bit further, was thinking about Morrisseys (?) with the soft pastics, might get some nice by catch as well.

Never been there but I woudn't think I could do worse than the Ross.

Might try to get down there this week end.

Cheers Eamon

[kingkev]

I have found that the first of the incoming tide on the beaches around Toomulla have produced over the years.

[thephotoguru]

Cheers Kev,

Next time I am up saltwater creek I will give it a shot, when I get sick of catching Jacks.

[kingkev]

I caught my first ever legal Jack on the weekend off the rockpool rocks so if you have any landbased spots that can produce, I would love to know as I would like to get another.

Happy catching

[thephotoguru]

Well done Kev,

There is something addictive about catching Jacks and they taste great too.

I have caught a few down near the casino on the wall facing the marina but I don't know if you can still get there.

Saltwater creek is another place although easier in a boat, but you can fish from the bank just up from the boat ramp. There is a large tree with about 15-20 meters of clear muddy (clear muddy is that a contradiction) bank. Straight across the creek (20 odd meters) is a small feeder creek, the mouth of which that I have pulled many Jacks from. Half Pilchards seem to do the trick although Livies do get smashed and then I get busted off........ Grrrrrrrr

I think it would be do able off the bank maybe not too east though.

Cheers Eamon