Fish of the Month
Flathead
There are 14 types in Australian water, the most common species being - Rock (the largest caught was 81cm with a weight of 2.1kg) Tiger (65cm with a weight of 2.963kg) Eastern Blue Spotted, Sand (48cm), Marble (61cm with a weight of 2.2kg) and Dusky (1.5mtr with weight 10.5kg).
They are found most commonly around the southern states.
Flathead are predominately a winter species but there are other runs around the beginning and end of summer. Around October/November (just after the big winds) larger specimens will be caught just outside.
Flathead will school together - these schools will always have fish of similar size since smaller fish are eaten by larger ones. They are cannibals and one of the baits for flathead is flathead.
If you are catching small fish you are fishing into a school of small fish. Move to another spot to find a school of large specimens.
Unlike other types of fish flathead do not move around - they lay in the sand and wait for food to come past them.
Bait selection is dependant on where you are fishing and the time of the year.
Flathead will take the following baits:-
a) Pilchards
b) Prawns (when they are running)
c) Mullet in March outside (when mullet are running)
d) Flathead
e) Squid
f) Whitebait (excellent in Botany bay)
g) Plastic Fantastic
h) Garfish
Since drifting is a favoured method for catching flathead fish in the middle of the tide.
The one unfortunate consequence when fishing for flathead is that you will also encounter a lot of sting rays - this is unavoidable since that live in the same habitat.
It is recommended that you use a heavier sinker than you normally would for the conditions (say 1.5 times as heavy). The bigger the sinker will stir up the bottom as it drags and this has the effect of attracting fish a star type sinker is ideal. When fishing outside a 100 - 200gram barrel sinker.
Because flathead have big mouths it is recommended that you use a "Big Mouth Mustad" banana or a long shank 2/0 hook.
For both offshore and estuary use a light rod (shorter than you would use for bream or whiting) with a reel fitted with around 9kg line - a threadline reel is fine for the purpose. Ideally the line should be grey for outside and light green for estuary. Remember to always keep your bait moving - pump the line - this will attract the fish. The majority of flathead are lost right at the boat as their heads lift from the water. As their heads lift they shake them violently from side to side and their teeth can saw through the line. Be sure to have a net ready as soon as the fish comes to the boat.
When fishing from a beach you should spread out and fan your casts with varying distance from varying spots along the beach until you locate where the fish are - then concentrate on the spot where you found them.
If you are fishing from an anchored boat use the following method:- a) cast out the line b) wind in slowly until you feel a bump c) release the bail and unwind 1 or 2 metres of the line onto the floor of the boat d) pump the line and then release the slack e) Flick the bail back over and wind in Giving the fish the slack allows it to take the bait well without feeling any weight.
A Tip from Gabe A week or so after rain fish will be hungry and will bite well
Recipe Suggestion
Beer Batter Flathead fillets
Beer batter
2 large cups of plain flour
1 can beer (Light works best)
1 Teaspoon salt
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
To prepare the batter, put flour in a deep basin and add the beer slowly. Add salt, mix to a smooth, thin batter, and then add the lightly beaten egg whites. You may have to add a little more flour at this stage - the batter has to be well mixed and kept thin, yet retain 'body'.
Coat fillets in beer batter. Fry in fresh clean oil until lightly golden.
Serve with Chips, salad and lemon wedges.