The estuary flathead, known as the dusky flathead, can be found from the entrance to the brackish water in many systems. This ferocious species is a true ambush predator as it sinks into the bottom strata to completely conceal itself, only leaving the eyes out to detect prey. The Flatty also has another advantage over others. They can change body colour to match their background, from a sandy colour to almost black. The dusky flathead is the largest member of the flathead family and can grow to an enormous maximum size of 15kg and up to 1.5m in length. Its volume and explosive speed makes the dusky a formidable predator in the estuary.
During the winter I’ve discovered a lot of flathead holding on the shallow river rock upstream. In Southeast Queensland we generally have a lower rainfall in winter so bait and fish will push higher up into the system. Flathead often prefer to eat poddy mullet and prawns, which can be found in abundance in the brackish, rocky areas of the river. At low tide, in the upper reaches, certain pools are cut off from one another and the pool’s entrance and exit create superb ambush locations.
Transport
Fishing the upper reaches can be done on foot or by kayak. Keep in mind that some rivers or creeks wind through private property, so always get permission to access these creeks. I prefer kayaking as it can get you into some shallow, crazy country, usually inaccessible to any boats. When targeting flathead, usually I prefer to stay on the creeks shallow side. Here you’ll often find schools of poddy mullet where the flathead will be hiding in the mud or lying on the rocky bottom.
Flathead also love to sit at the front of any small feeder streams or drains that run into the main creek as these can provide an easy and lazy feed for flathead. It may seem strange at this time of the year (winter/spring) to focus on flathead fishing up rivers and creeks, when most people are hunting for bigger fish closer to the mouth. If you’re keen to put in some effort though, you’ll discover the correct areas to fish and the rewards will be plentiful.
As most streams/creeks are relatively shallow, there is no need for sounders or other equipment. Instead, you must rely on your ability to read the water in the creek. When assessing the water, you’re looking for prime ambush spots such as pressure points or deep pools. Pressure points exist when the bank changes the flow of water, creating back eddies from which the flatty can easily launch an attack.
The Bite
In the deep pools food is brought to a concentrated area by rapids or a change in water levels. These rapids create a bubble trail that floats down the creek, so you’ll see where the main flow is going. If these bubbles run past rocky drop offs, this is gold and where the flatty waits. In the kayak it is critical to make as little noise as possible as sounds can travel a long distance over a shallow rocky bottom. When travelling the bank, avoid braking branches underfoot or collapsing the bank into the water as big flathead are sensitive to noise and won’t hang around for long if disturbed.
Whether I’m walking the bank or floating in the kayak, I can cast over the entire area, allowing more casts and increased chance of putting the lure in front of a big old flathead. By far my absolute favourite plastic for chasing flathead is the ZMan 3″ MinnowZ. This plastic resembles the poddy mullet perfectly and I love the little fat belly on this thing, along with the awesome tail action. When it comes to choosing the colour of MinnowZ, I love anything with chartreuse (fluoro yellow/green) in it. Sexy Mullet is my number one, followed closely by Purple Death.
When hunting flathead my retrieve is a slow roll, being sure to contact the bottom every now and again. This is critical since the lure will make a noise and stir up puffs of muck and sand, in turn making it easily detected and attracting the flathead. Other plastics worth a go are the ZMan EZ ShrimpZ, Scented ShrimpZ and if you wanted something leftfield try the new Pro CrawZ, which has a realistic crawfish look and it may just pull some big ones off the stones.
Lures
When it comes to jighead selection, if it allows your plastic to be banging into the rocky bottom occasionally then you’ve got the right one. I love TT Lures Big EyeZ jigheads as firstly, the bulging and glowing (in some colours) 3D eyes are a strike trigger for sure. It replicates the very first characteristic that you will notice in a poddy mullet, the larger eye. Secondly, the fine detailing as its designed with a very strong, black nickel, Mustad hook. Thirdly, the grub keeper on the shank of the hook is designed to hold on that ZMan 10X Tough ElaZtech plastic, including my go-to 3″ MinnowZ. My preference being the 1/4oz – 3/8oz weights in hook size 3/0. Lastly, the slender head acts like a keel, keeping the plastic running true and straight, cutting neatly though the water.
Another jighead alternative is the TT Lures DemonZ. These are cool looking jigheads as well, all custom painted and built on quality Gamakatsu chemically sharpened, heavy wire hooks. These two jigheads come in some funky colours that flathead froth over. Mixing up hues of jigheads and plastics allows the angler to cater to the environmental conditions.
My favourite rod and reel choice, when throwing ZMan 3″ MinnowZ, is the baitcast outfit. The baitcast combo offers more accuracy when casting and a shorter rod is better to use in skinny water locations. I use 15lb Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon leader. You can get away with a lighter leader, however, you never know when that beast is going to engulf your plastic! Once you’ve landed one, you will be glad that you had that little extra security of a heavier leader. Also, during spring, you may have a brief encounter with something red that is stronger and crankier.
Pro Tips:
1: I am a huge believer in rubbing scent on a plastic and Mullet and Sardine/Pilchard Pro-Cure are recommended for this location and technique.
2: Keep the noise down!
3: Personally, I like tying a loop knot on the jighead for unimpeded action of the MinnowZ.
4: Retrieve style is a slow roll, while occasionally contacting the bottom.
5: Pay attention to the details as 10% of anglers catch 90% of the fish little improvements can make a huge difference.
I have spent many years in skinny water creeks chasing bass, bream and mangrove jack. I’d always caught the old flatty whilst targeting these other species. It hasn’t been until recently that I’ve acquired the passion to chase the larger ones and challenge myself in this type of location. I really believe that the ZMan 3″ MinnowZ has been the perfect weapon. Finding the larger ones on the stones in the brackish water and it’s really given me a new goal in the hunt for that elusive metre plus flathead.
Happy Hunting…
Michael Wright
Gearing Up:
Okuma Cerros Baitcast Rods
Okuma Cerros Baitcast Reels
Platypus P8 Braid
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader – 15lb
3″ MinniwZ
3″ Scented ShrimpZ
ZMan 3.5″ EZ ShrimpZ
TT Lures Big EyeZ Jighead
TT Lures DemonZ Jighead
Pro-Cure Mullet Sper Gel Scent or Sardine/Pilchard