Flathead fishing

[grant H]

hey guys sorry for all the threads but just need peoples opinions. This post will be based on flathead fishing. I am very eager to know what is better for flathead, hardbodies vs soft plastics. I am currently using berkley 3b crankbait sub dog hardbody lures and getting maybe 1 or 2 flathead in a 2-3 hour period at the bottom of smith street but i was wondering I am curious whether to try soft plastics and if so what colour what type what size jig head. I have heard alot of talk about the shaky shad in pumpkinseed colour opinions on this would be nice and by the way currently where i fish now ( bottom of smith street on the beach near the caravan park) i have located all the drop offs and weed beds what is the technique for fishing where there is a weed bed just pull the lure through? And if there is a few toad fish hanging around in the shallows will they destroy my plastic as this is a main factor in me not wanting to invest in soft plastics. I also start fishing 3 hours before low and 1-2 hours after is this correct for fishing flathead?

cheers,
grant

[Si]

hey mate. soft placcies are awesome on the flathead and alot cheaper ($4 with jig) than losing one hardbody lure ($20-30). This is my opinion only and others may do things differently but i generally use soft plastics when spinning. I find most hardbodies arnt heavy enough to cast the distance required in some situations and then they take a few metres of retrivel to get to the right depth, some cant even get to the depth you want. with a soft plastic (attached to jig head of course) it gets to depth pretty much where it lands after you cast and you start fishing. i use a variety of plastics and most work if you impart a good action and its on the on or near the bottom. I generally use hardbodies when im trolling for flatties and they love a well chosen lure that bangs into the bottom every now and then.

[blackjew]

Hi grant mate empty your private messages please .
Mate my advice on flathead plastics read all of the MULLET MUSKETEER threads in the saltwater section they are very informative,and he gives you lots of tips what to do .

Cheers Rob

[grant H]

thanks guys will all be taken into account i can see your point seriola and have emptied blackjew, i have read all of MM's posts and this is pretty much the whole reason why i decided to start this post hardbodies vs SP's. seriola i can only currently offshore fish i normally fish the broadwater and from going to a certain spots last time on super low tide i actually found all the weedbeds and steep drop offs everytime i fished that drop off produced a bream with only 1-2 legal but i am definately going to try soft plastics next week which colour and type would be best for targetting flatty and the occasional whiting or bream

[Si]

thanks guys will all be taken into account i can see your point seriola and have emptied blackjew, i have read all of MM's posts and this is pretty much the whole reason why i decided to start this post hardbodies vs SP's. seriola i can only currently offshore fish i normally fish the broadwater and from going to a certain spots last time on super low tide i actually found all the weedbeds and steep drop offs everytime i fished that drop off produced a bream with only 1-2 legal but i am definately going to try soft plastics next week which colour and type would be best for targetting flatty and the occasional whiting or bream

hey mate, my favourite for average flathead is a gulp or power bait 5 inch jerk shads and DOA shrimps, for bream you would use different smaller placcies. i think the gulp little worms (1 inch) in camo drifted on a very small jig head are awesome on whiting and bream. re colour - i have caught flathead on most colours and its not really that important as long as they can see it. However, a general common sense rule is for very clear waters i would use natural tones and for dirtier waters i use more brighter colours like high viz yellows and pinks. some people are different and you could be here for a week talking about colours. stock up on 1/4 and 3/8 jig heads with 2/0 to 3/0 hook size for flatties. i normally use 1/4 but the broadwater is a lot deeper and has much more tidal volume than my local area. anyway, hope to see some piccies of your catches. cheers.

[blackjew]

Check this out a piece from mossy.turtleback worms from berkley, they have the whippy tail action all fish just can't resist. It will also take the bigger fish as it is a touch longer than the grubs. I have landed some of my PB's on them and would be happy to take only turtlebacks out for a fish. Best colours for me are the banana prawn, disco prawn, bbq chicken(red top white/pearl under body and you can't go past the pumkinseed also the watermelon in the clearer water where I fish which is mainly the brisbane river mouth. Best of luck

[HeadBanger]

For flathead, I almost always use soft plastics. I have used plastics with mates using hardbodies and have caught more flathead than them, often 2:1 or 3:1. And they still won't use plastics!

Anyway, my favourite plastics are:

100mm Squidgey Fish in Killer Tomato
2" Gulp Shrimp in Newpenny
4" Minnow in Newpenny

There are a few others that I use regularly, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.

I like to use jig heads between 1/12 and 1/4. Only go as heavy as you need to with the current, but you still want to keep your lure near the bottom as much as possibly.

Last thing, don't be afraid to use decent sized lures. I've caught 20cm flathead on 4" minnows (and caught some flathead on live bait that are only slightly bigger than the herring I was using!) They certainly aren't scared when it comes to eating big lures (or baits.)

Cheers,
Kaidon

[grant H]

well i have finally decided to go over to the plastic side went out bought a pack of berkley gulp 3 inch shaky shads in pumpkinseed blackjew confirmed the suspicion i had towards them as many flathead videos the pro's swear by pumpkinseed and got some 1/4 jig heads with 1/0 hooks, will be trying them out on friday fishing the last 3 hours of high tide and the first 2 hours after low will take pictures and psot result and if anyone knows any good videos on rigging these things would be appreciated

cheers,
grant

[HeadBanger]

This vid, not exactly professional, but it gives you an idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xFj-_K1HIY

Actually, I just got an idea, I'll send you a PM sometime tonight.

As for the tides, I like to fish the run out, once the current has picked up a bit. Flathead face into the current, so cast against it and bring your plastic back through it.

Thanks,
Kaidon

[grant H]

are these correctly rigged if not please do say something i want to make these look as real as possible

[HeadBanger]

They look pretty good, one on the left, second from top looks like it might be a little bit bunched up though.

Just another thing, if you keep jigheads in with the gulp packet for too long, they can rust. I don't know if it happens to all jigheads, but I've had it happen with the Squidgey jigs. And don't leave Gulps out of the packet for too long either, or they'll dry up, and they're a pain in the ass to get off the hook after that happens!

Cheers,
Kaidon

[flatzie]

The rigging is pretty basic and with the action you put into the lure its pretty forgiving. Just aim to get them nice and straight along the back and the hook coming out so as to not distort the shape. I note you have rigged a fair few baits on to jigs. I wouldnt do that as they will lose scent and freshness if you pull them out before needed. Just carry your packet with you, and when a bait is damaged just replace it on the spot, it takes a few seconds.
I have a Thread some time back which details a lot of info using plastics on Flatties, its been afav style for me, have a good look at it and you will pick up alot on technique, types of plastics and other tips.
Cheers
Flatzie

[flatzie]

Want to Catch and Succeed on Plastics in Estuaries??

I see a lot of chat about plastics and how to use them, like the recent on 2" Shrimps.
Heres my Technique. Im no TV expert, but I do land a lot of fish on Gulp 2" Shrimps and 3 " Minnows.
Hope it helps some with the holidays coming up.
It doesnt take heaps of trips to get it right! And you dont need to use the lightest gear possible, thats a myth in my opinion.
I have nailed heaps of bream and scores of flathead on the Shrimp 2' in a number of colours. I went one afternoon with a guide at Caloundra and have nailed them ever since. Almost all of our biggest flatties have been on them, heaps of bream, grunter, some tings, trevally, tailor, Snapper, cod you name it! I use 6lb braid with 6lb flurocarbon leader.
The only people who could write a negative about this plastic are people who just cant use them, and believe me its not hard, its simple!
1. Cast it ( I always drift fish, and use an electric to assist positioning, however I caught many fish before I had my electric)
2. Take up slack, place your rod tip 30cm above the water at as close to 90 degree angle to your line as possible. (I fish relatively shallow water.)
3. give 3 short sharp WRIST twitches, NOT ARM WAVES, 100 - 150 mm each. (you can mix this up as well)
4. At the end of the last twitch, wind back up your line, AVOIDING ANY BELLY IN YOUR LINE (you must try to keep as little slack in your line as possible.)
5. this has created a pause, allow a second or two and repeat the dose. Most fish take it on the pause!
6. When you feel a hit or bite ....this is important! Do not strike! Just continue
7. When a fish is on start to play it gently with the old pump and wind. Relax!
8. Avoid trying to bullock the fish or waterski it back to the boat! Thats the oldtimer technique employed with broomstick rods and 30 pound line

Extra tips,
1. Get your lazy bum out of bed VERY early, be on the water at Sparrows, or conversely fish very late right up till dark
2. You must cast very close to the bank, dropoff, edge, or structure you are targeting. Lazy limp nothing casts that are away from the key zone will not get fish, except those out in the open. I consistently outcatch most learners on my boat for this reason alone
HOPE THAT HELPS!

[grant H]

absolutely loving all this information making me feel like ive caught the fish already lol. do you ever use shaky shads flatzie? I am a big fan of fishing the edge a tv series and they absolutely cleaned up with them and many people have said pumpkinseed is the key. As much as i like bream fishing, for me fishing is putting something on the table for my family and i prefer flathead as to why i am continually asking about them as they are very nice eating, not as fun fight as bream or whiting but still cant argue with freshly caught flathead for dinner.

[blackjew]

Just noticed Grant, mate im no expert but all the great info i have learned from the guys on Ausfish has helped me so much and one of the most important things ive learned is use as light a jig head as pos ,if your fishing shallow you just need the placcy to get to the bottom and stay there .you dont really want it dragging ,better to be fluttering like a swimming baitfish.You guys correct me if im wrong please.
Cheers Rob