Fishing for lizards

[smiley_doobinator]

Hi all, Just found this site trolling round the net and thought is was so good I joined up right away. I live in brisbane and love my fishing, problem is I am not very good at it. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some tips on spots for catching flathead.

(Here's the sob story) I am 32 and my last lizard catch was when I was about 15 hey I said I wasn't very good. I go with a good mate of mine at least once a fortnight and we have been doin this for about a year now. Thats about how long ago he started at work.

We could count the amount of fish we have caught on one hand yes thats right one hand and probably with a few missing fingers. Sorry this post is so long but I really am in need of help. I prefer boat fishing but will settle for any tips I can get.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[DazSamFishing]

G day and welcome to AUSFISH...

You mentioned that you prefer boat fishing... so I would assume you or your mate own a boat?

Therefore you should have no trouble landing a few fish... I too live in Brisbane and mainly travel to either north or the south coast... If you want to catch a few lizards try drifting over a sandbank in the bay, broadwater or any estuary on the sunshine coast. Drift with a live yabbie, prawn or whitebait... Also purchase a tide guide which will give you information about fish species and 'how to catch' information (rigs/tackle).

I would suggest purchasing a fishing magazine, or visiting your local tackle store for more information. There are so many fishing locations around Brisbane, however, I have never fished the Brissie river... Plenty of posts in regard to that location though. Have a look through various topics of this nature on AUSFISH and you should be prepared for a fish.

Its all about putting theory to practise, and having confidence... Keep at it and you'll get good at it! Then you may want to experiment with different techniques such as lures and soft plastics!

Best of luck

Daz

[richieboy]

Welcome mate. There are heaps of spots in Brissie from canals to creeks and anywhere along the bayside.
Same as Daz. Search the site, read the posts and get a few spots. I live on the Bayside (south side) and mainly hit creeks and canals from Wynnum to Victoria pint and have pulled plenty of lizards.
Pull out the UBD or google earth the bayside/wherever and I'm sure you'll see plenty of spots.
Look for areas with some form of structure from weed beds to mangrove creeks and rock groins.
These all hold fish. Fish with baits if you prefer but if you are targeting lizards specifically nuthing is better then a well weighted plastic.
Buy a DVD and get into it mate cause it's fun fishing.
Speaking of fishing, I can't remember when I last went. It's been too long. Hopefully this week some time.
Welcome, and looking forward to some great posts and hopefully a pic or two of a nice croc.

Richie

[stevedemon]

Hi smiley_doobinator

Welcome to ausfish
there are a no of ways to catching Flathead, Lures, plastic's or as stated above myself i always use poddy's when available or Half Pillies on twin 2/0 gang rig, Frogmouth pillies are also good and live herring all on the drift if in the bay try the sand banks but also look for weed beds, good cover for flathead or drop off's on the banks always cast to the bank and bring it over the drop off's.

if fishing the pin there are a no off good spots Cobby Cobby Passage, along the Kalinga banks there are some good sand banks, tiger mullet channel, five ways, there and the same with the Gold coast a lot of good spots on the drift or you will find some spots where you can anchor up and get good results as well

get yourself a beacon to beacon and have a look all the banks are marked and it is a matter of finding your own style to fish

some people fish with sinker straight to hook, i preferr to fish with a 12 - 18 inch mono lead and as light a sinker as possible but i always use the twin 2/0 gang hook system or a 2/0 long shank for live poddy's less bite -off's.

but as stated go through the post in Saltwater, or estuary's and you will find a heap of knowledge and a lot of help from most people just don't ask for there favorite spots or spot X.

Cheers
Steve

[smiley_doobinator]

Thanks heaps guys, what a great start. I have a large selection of platics as alot of people I have spoken to have recommended plastics to get lizards. I am fairly familiar with different rigs and tackle as the days i havn't been able to fish I sit and annoy the missus by practicing knots and making different rigs. I bought a 4.2 metre Clark Abolone Awhile ago and love it. Just a simple tinnie with tiller steer but it got me out in the bay yesterday morning so i was stoked about that.

Now I just have to learn how to use my beacon to beacon . Seems like I will be hitting the Pin and the Broadwater this weekend. Again thanks for the great start guys.

[Duyz72]

Where abouts in Brisbane are you?
Happy to help out.

[smiley_doobinator]

Boronia Heights, basically Browns Plains way. Great access to all the majors that lead to boat ramps.

[nathan_fishing]

4inch powerbait work good on the flatheads

nathan

[zach]

hey mate the squidgies are good for the flattys in silver fox. i use 3 inch power baits for them tho in p seed, or casper clr on a 1/12 tt jig head
hope this helps
cheers
zach

[Loco_Pez]

Hi Smiley.

If there are flathead where you are fishing just about any plastic will catch them, they are not fussy. Lately been getting a lot on 4' Berkely shrimp (prawn). Just fish it like a real prawn flicks. Try Logan river around the green beacons ageston sands area or near the mouth of the river, there are plenty around.

Good luck mate.

LP

[Loco_Pez]

That should be 4" shrimp NOT 4' shrimp. That would be one hell of a flathead to take a 4' plastic

[Nico.d.R]

some of my favorite plackies for flat head are the squidgy bugs (green or 24crt) 3"wrigglers , the best flattie i have got on plastic was 72cm that was on a 4" stick bait .

[Nico.d.R]

this is what was left of my plastic

[smiley_doobinator]

Nico thats one serious flathead Well thanks to all the great advice I am ready to go get me a couple of flatties. Thanks again to everyone who posted your advice is greatly appreciated. Time ot put the anchor well in my tinnie and head out.

[alleycat]

Hi smiley, to give you an idea, every bank that drops off into deeper water is a goer, for instance if you leave jacobs well and head towards the pin the first passage on your right you pass is southport chanel, the drop offs on both east and western banks hold good flathead, the key is that every big sand bank ect has drop offs and this is where your flathead will be waiting, berkley 3 inch mionnows and a heavy enough head to cast and bounce over bottom will do it.