THE OTHER FLATHEAD

By Tom Wilson

I love reading articles about big dusky flathead. Tracking down the big girls on the sand flats of Australia’s east coast estuaries is something that I wish I could do more often. As it turns out I’m a Melbourne based angler, so the flathead I chase most are the “others”.

Sand, rock, and southern blue spotted flathead are abundant around Melbourne but catching quality fish consistently on lures is something that comes with knowledge and practice. When you start catching 40cm+ flatties it will mostly be the southern blue spotted variety that you’re encountering. These fish can be identified by scattered blue or white spots intermingled with dark blotches on the body. A white patch on the bottom of the tail fin with black spots inside is also a key identifier for the southern blue spots. Rock flathead can also grow to impressive proportions, but