How to Catch Flathead Tassie Style

By Jack Gillespie

Flathead are a favourite species of many, not just because of their table fare but also due to the extremely vast ways of targeting the species. Flathead can be caught in water under a foot all the way up to and exceeding 100 meters deep.

Flathead are a ambush style predator. They will use their body shape and brown camouflage colour to hide in the sand with only their upwards facing eyes exposed then rapidly explode on their pray.

Fishing for flathead landbased using artificial soft plastics is a very effective way to target these tasty fish and in many cases you will find the bigger fish in shallower water. Creature style baits like the Bait Junkie Risky Critter or the Bait Junkie Grub give a great representation of what these shallow water fish may be feeding on. Because of a flathead's feeding habits covering a lot ground is always a good idea, looking for anything a little out of the ordinary like a slightly deeper hole, shell or mud bottom are always a likely spot for these ambush feeding fish. If you are lucky to find a fish, likely there is more than one in close proximity.

Bait fishing in a boat is also a great way to secure a feed and because flathead don’t move around a great deal, it’s best not to anchor up but let the boat drift naturally and have your bait dragging along the bottom. As always, fresh bait goes a long way in securing a bite! 

There are many different breeds of flathead, sand, dusky, tiger and bluespot being the most common and all will vary slightly in body colour and markings. It’s important to get to know which one you have caught because in some areas bag limits and minimum sizes will be different.

Flathead have rough lips and sharp spines which can wear through fishing line very quickly so be sure to use a durable leader so you don’t risk busting off on your trophy flathead. Also be sure to handle the fish with care because they can leave a nasty mark on your hands or feet!