CATCHING a trophy flathead is a memorable moment for many Aussie anglers. The dusky flathead’s cunning nature and unique appearance make them a highly sought-after fish in our calm, saltwater estuaries. Flatties are very accessible, tasty and are great fun to catch on lure. Just about everyone that has picked up a rod has some exposure to flathead fishing with lures, whether it was fishing as a kid on holidays or chasing a feed with friends, which is perhaps why captures, stories and photos of monster-size fish are so revered.
Some of the most effective lures for catching flathead are small soft plastics, about 3 inches long. But there’s an ever expanding range of lures targeted at flathead fishos; some are designed for flathead and work well, most are not and still work well! Needless to say, at times, flathead aren't very fussy at all. But to catch big dusky flathead consistently, you really need to know what you’re doing. Despite what some say, flatties in excess of 80 centimetres can be as difficult to catch as any other “trophy” fish on lure consistently – barra, cod and jewies included!
Below, I'll explain why
