Flathead ID

[whichway]

Hi

What is the diff between bar tailed (30cm legal limit) and dusky (40cm legal limit) flathead. We caught some in about 70m, they had blue spots on them. What type were they. Are my legal limits up to date.

Whichway

[Shitty_Master]

The one with the blue sports would have been a Southern Blue-Spot Flathead. I am not sure about the limits on them as I don't catch them anymore

[Freeeedom]

The best way to tell them apart is by looking at the tail. The dusky has a large single black spot on the tail, just above the centre line when the tail is spread. The bar tail has about six horizontal stripes on the tail with a yellow stripe at the top, then alternating black and white
Cheers Freeeedom

[robowood]

No size limit on Eastern Blue Spot flathead in NSW which is often confused with Sand Flathead. Smaller ones have quite soft and mushy flesh though, not nearly as good as dusky flesh. I only keep then at 45cm+.