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BRIBIE FLATHEAD - SANDSTONE POINT - MON - JULY 26th
On Monday morning I looked at the forecast for the week and realised things were going downhill with showers set to increase as the days went on. I decided to go for a quick mid morning session wading the flats at Bribie, hopefully before the rain set in. I opted for the sand flats and weed beds to the south of the old oyster jetty in the direction of Sandstone Point, on the mainland side of the Pumicestone Passage. I arrived at around 9.45 am just as the tide was beginning to run out. It was dull and overcast and the wind was getting up from the south west. I walked along the shore as far as the large sand bank to the south of the old oyster jetty. Then I waded out into about a metre of water and started with long casts northwards. With the wind behind me from the south west, I was able to put in long casts and retrieve my plastic with the outgoing tide. There are lots of gaps in the weed beds in that area and this is where the Flathead wait. I was fishing my favourite flathead lure – the GULP 4” Minnow in the Pearl Watermelon colour on a 1/6th 2/0 jighead. I had the rod spooled with 6lb Fireline and 10lb fluoro carbon leader. The only problem fishing that area is the loose weed and the horrible slimy algae that seem to coat it in places. You have to be persistent as the plastic is constantly getting clogged. After twenty minutes or so of casting, I hooked a small flathead but dropped it as I tried to get it into the keeper bag without towing it all the way back to shore. I cast back in the same place and one of its friends took the plastic. This time I walked it all the way back to the shore – he was just on 42cm. I now had to try and remember where to go back to. When the water is clear you can follow your wader boot marks but the overnight rain had stirred it up a little, so I just had to guess where I had been. I waded back out and carried on moving to the north and just short of the oyster jetty; I got a very solid bite. I dropped the rod tip and counted to five – this is my favourite technique for Flathead – then struck hard. The fish took off and did a couple of good runs, then it calmed down a bit and so I gradually walked it back to the shore. Some wise old fisherman once told me that Flathead often snap at the lure or bait to stun it, then open their mouths and change the angle, to swallow it. If you strike as soon as you feel the bite you might just pull it out of their mouths. Not sure how true this is but my system certainly works. It gave me a few head shakes in the last few metres and then I had it. Once I got it up to the muddy shoreline it measured in at 62cm. Buy now the clouds were looking ominous so I beat a hasty retreat to the car and called it a day. I hope the weather does not ruin the rest of the week. Thanks for the welcome and the encouraging comments - writing a fishing report is just showing off really, but is great to find an attentive audience. My wife and family like a fish on the table but are long past hearing about how it got there! If any of you need more - you can also read about my fishing exploits at my blog http://landangler.wordpress.com.
Re: BRIBIE FLATHEAD - SANDSTONE POINT - MON - JULY 26th
Nice fish that Mullet, got one the same size last week! Havent seen any of that slime up near Donnybrook. Interesting reading your technique on setting the hook. I ve noticed particularly in winter they dont attack as hard, except in a hot bite period, and that sometimes even when on they are swimming along with their mouth shut, but not actually hooked, and when they open their mouth, they get off. Had that happen a few times lately. Very similar to barra in that respect, hence the guides teaching you to strike a very hard a few times to "seat" the hook even when they appear to be hooked. Im thinking of employing that to see if it will avoid these ones getting off on me.
Its good to hear others experiences and techniques.
Well done
Cheers
Flatzie
Re: BRIBIE FLATHEAD - SANDSTONE POINT - MON - JULY 26th
That's a nice solid flattie. Thanks for the great detailed report - i also like other people's technique's and hint's 'n' tips too. Keep up the good reports. Happy fishing! Cheers mate, Darren.
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