Flathead Fishing: Ultimate Guide For Lure Fishers

Russell emphasizes the importance of fishing near structures such as oyster racks, especially during specific tidal movements. He recommends using topwater lures during the last hour of the run-in tide and the first hour of daylight for optimal results. Clear water and a minimum tide of 1.3 meters are crucial for accessing the best spots. His preferred gear includes heavy-duty tackle to manage large flathead around dense structures. More on Russell’s strategies can be found here.

Bo Sawyer advises focusing on water levels more than tide phases. He notes that different water levels allow for fishing at various depths as the tide changes. In his experience, weather conditions such as a light breeze or a slight freshwater influx can also influence flathead behavior. Bo highlights the effectiveness of scent on lures when targeting smaller flathead but suggests unscented lures might perform better for larger specimens. Learn more about Bo’s approach here.

Simon emphasizes the effectiveness of topwater lures, especially the Crossfire 110 and 190, which mimic wounded baitfish. He highlights the importance of using medium-heavy rods with strong drag systems when flathead fishing with these lures. Additionally, Simon notes that a ‘walk the dog’ retrieve can make lures more enticing and details the importance of observing nipper holes and disturbed sand as indicators of flathead activity​ (more)​.

Greg provides insight into the unique conditions of St George’s Basin, where typical tidal strategies don’t apply due to its minimal tidal influence. He suggests focusing on the edges of the basin when it is draining and in shallow waters along the edges when full. Greg also notes the importance of using long rods for casting distance to spook fewer fish and recommends using shad style plastics and soft vibes for effective lure fishing​ (more)​.

Guy highlights the seasonal congregation of flathead at water body entrances from September to December, recommending fishing in deeper holes around new and full moons and shallower flats and drains at other times. Effective techniques include thoroughly working a spot with patience and adapting lure types based on tidal movements and fish behaviour. He also mentions that flathead are more active during tides with noticeable water movements​ (more)​.

Shane Porter focuses on targeting flathead using topwater lures in Port Stephens, emphasizing the importance of timing and observation. He recommends fishing before dawn and listening for feeding noises on the water to pinpoint flathead activity. Shane also advises inspecting flat areas at low tide to spot “lies” where flathead rest, using these clues to target specific areas during high tide. His approach includes using surface lures like the Duo Realis pencil 130 for its effective “walk the dog” action and its ability to trigger strikes during pauses in retrieval​ (more)​.

Ryan Vines notes the importance of locating bait when flathead fishing in the Gold Coast area, especially during the warmer months when flathead disperse onto flats and near creek mouths. He suggests using scent on lures to enhance their attractiveness, particularly if the water clarity is not optimal. Ryan’s approach involves making long casts, letting lures sink to the bottom, and then retrieving them with slow hops and long pauses, which is critical as most strikes occur when the lure is stationary.

Richard Smith advises anglers to be thorough and methodical when fishing for flathead in Lake Macquarie, suggesting that every inch of the fishing area should be carefully worked over. He casts systematically in a pattern around the boat to cover all angles, then moves a short distance and repeats. He stresses the importance of keeping the lure close to the bottom, particularly in shallow waters during summer and along drop-offs in winter. Richard finds fishing is productive during warm summer afternoons, regardless of tides or winds (more)

ET shares strategies for flathead fishing in the Port Hacking area, explaining the area’s unique geography and how it affects fish behaviour. He suggests focusing on the flats, specifically targeting areas with oyster beds known as “The Ballast Heap,” which attract bait and in turn, flathead. He finds smaller high tides keep bait closer to the drop-offs, enhancing flathead activity. Large glidebaits are great to target big flathead, mimicking the local baitfish like mullet and garfish in both size and colour. ET’s approach combines detailed pre-fishing planning with specific tactics during different tidal movements for successful flathead fishing.

Lake Mac’s flathead can be elusive with bigger specimens not biting daily. Mark describes the importance of fishing during the prawn runs from October to April, when flathead are more likely to be found on the flats. He also advises maintaining lure contact with the bottom and highlights the effectiveness of fishing during the turn of the tide, particularly the bottom half of the runout tide for shallow water fishing. Additionally, Mark mentions the potential for trolling as an underutilized method in the area, encouraging more experimentation with this technique.

Nick suggests fishing anywhere there’s a change in bottom composition, such as where sandy areas meet rocky or weedy patches. He highlights the effectiveness of using GIS mapping tools to identify promising fishing spots and suggests fishing during outgoing tides for optimal results. Overcast days and moderate winds can also extend the bite window, especially in shallow waters.

Rob recommends focusing on areas with mixed weed and sand patches as prime flathead fishing areas. Lure modification is part of his strategy to stand out during competitive fishing events, like altering lure weight or adding sound to overcome fish familiarity with common lures. Additionally, Rob advises on using different rods and lures depending on whether you’re trolling or casting, matching the gear to the fishing technique and conditions.

Dougie likes American-style football jig heads for flathead fishing on the Gold Coast. These help the lure maintain an upright position on the bottom, making the action more natural and effective. Dougie notes the importance of fishing during low tides at creek and channel entrances, where flathead tend to congregate as the tide rises. He also advises checking for and clearing weed from lures when trolling, as this is often an indication of being in the right fishing spots (more).

Greeny’s approach includes using Zerek Tango Shad lures for effective trolling, especially useful in clear waters of the Gold Coast. Greeny highlights the importance of matching the lure action to the flathead’s behavior, suggesting that a Gumby Lure can be particularly effective due to its simplicity and effectiveness in catching fish. His tactics are geared towards anglers of all skill levels, focusing on the use of basic yet effective lures to achieve good results. (more).

John targets extra-large flathead using surface lures. He finds that the run-in tide is generally the best time for flathead fishing, but notes that with the right approach, flathead can be caught under various conditions. Stealth is key, as flathead can be found in very shallow water where they are easily spooked. Using large lures, up to 20 cm, to specifically target larger fish is effective and overcast days with a southerly wind give the best results. (more).

Starlo mentions that significant flathead are often found in areas where food is abundant rather than just deep holes – understanding how to identify “choke points” where fish accumulate is crucial. He emphasizes the importance of finesse in gear setup to avoid spooking the leader-shy big flathead. Steve recommends using stingers on large, unweighted soft plastics to improve hookup rates and suggests that learning from slow fishing days by refining stealth and lure presentation (more).

Ken fishes for trophy flathead in Mallacoota, a location known for its pressured fishery. He suggests persistence and adaptation are vital for success. Key tactics include using larger soft plastic lures that can attract the more significant, more cautious flathead and adjusting techniques based on the fish’s behaviour and environmental conditions. Ken’s understands the flathead’s habitat and feeding patterns to effectively target them, especially during optimal times such as early mornings and late evenings when the fish are more active (more).

Matt loves fishing for flathead during the winter on the NSW North Coast. He researches potential fishing spots online to maximize time on the water, focusing on areas where currents change direction or where there are breaks in the current. He suggests starting fishing well away from the water’s edge, as flathead can be found in very shallow waters, even as little as 10 cm deep. Stealth and careful approach are crucial, especially when flathead are in skinny water, as they are easily spooked. Matt also finds clear sky days with high tides in the middle of the day to be the most productive for winter flathead fishing (more).

Karl challenges the belief that flathead can’t be caught in winter, noting that trophy fish are readily available and often found in very shallow water. He emphasizes the importance of stealth and patience, advising anglers to observe spooked flathead to understand their movement patterns. Karl recommends using surface lures as they are less likely to spook trophy flathead in shallow waters. He prefers fishing on flats that maintain a water covering even at low tide, particularly a few days leading up to the full or new moon. His preferred fishing times are during high tides in the mid-morning, allowing him to fish the flats on the runout (more)..

Brett likes flathead fishing lures to be worked quickly and close to the bottom to mimic the natural behaviour of prey and trigger the ambush instincts of flathead. He suggests using larger lures (6-9 inches) to specifically target bigger flathead and reduce bycatch. His preferred conditions for flathead fishing include overcast skies with a light breeze, although he notes that flathead can be caught under various weather conditions (more).

Paul recommends fishing during the first two hours of both the incoming and outgoing tides when flathead are more likely to feed actively. Using a mix of soft plastics and deep-diving lures depending on the water depth and structure is recommended. Paul emphasizes the importance of adapting techniques to the day’s specific conditions and flathead behaviour (more).

Patrick focuses on areas with a mix of sand, mud, shell, and broken bottom. He suggests looking for flathead “lies” at low tide to understand their movement patterns relative to the tide. Patrick emphasizes fishing in 1 to 1.5m depth near deeper water, especially in the lower reaches of the river. His approach includes using unweighted soft plastics around tide changes when the water flow is minimal, maximizing lure workability (here).

Steve touts the effectiveness of fishing in shallow margins during warmer months and deeper waters as it cools. He notes that flathead can be skittish around excessive noise and recommends fishing in quieter areas or during low boat traffic times. The best fishing conditions, according to Steve, are around new moon in winter and full moon in summer. Persistence and adapting lures or colours based on conditions are key to success (more).

Mitch’s flathead fishing focuses on shallow flats influenced by tidal flows, especially in the early morning to beat boat traffic. He prefers using glide baits and handmade timber swimbaits, emphasizing water movement and depth as crucial factors (more).

Tony suggests a rising tide on the flats provides the best fishing opportunities, with flathead actively moving with the water. The beginning of the runout tide also proves fruitful as it brings food down to the waiting flathead. Tony emphasizes the importance of using smaller lures to attract bites and switching to larger lures to target bigger flathead once activity is noted (more).

Scott likes larger swimbaits in shallow waters, typically less than 3 meters deep, to attract flathead. He recommends a slow retrieve, occasionally pausing to allow flathead to catch up and strike. For larger swimbaits, he uses heavy tackle suitable for barramundi, which aids in casting the larger lures effectively (more).

Scotty recommends the use of Google Earth to scout for potential hotspots like sandbars, pressure points, and drains, which are ideal during different tide phases. Early morning sessions to avoid boating traffic and a stealthy approach, adapting tactics based on seasonal variations. He also provides specific advice on lure selection and retrieval techniques to maximize success in this region (more).

John reckons habitat edges, such as transitions from sand to mud, are the for flathead fishing. He advocates for very slow lure retrieval to keep it close to the bottom, which is crucial for enticing flathead. Seasonally, autumn months offer peak conditions, with flathead congregating in moderate depths of 2-3 meters, where there’s a bit of flow and bait activity. John also points out the challenges of fishing with floating weed, recommending weedless plastics as a suitable solution (more).