Ethan Clarke
Flathead is an iconic breed of fish found in many bays, rivers, and estuaries. They are ambush predators with eyes on the top of their heads and are camouflaged, often sitting on the bottom and waiting for baitfish or mullet to swim by for an easy feed. Flathead loves soft plastics and lures and will go for just about any style or color. Some popular options include grubs, worm imitations, curly tails, paddle tails, and minnow imitations. When using soft plastics, there are two simple techniques to catch flathead: the hopping technique and the slow roll. The hopping technique involves casting your plastic or lure, waiting for it to hit the bottom, then doing several quick erratic lifts before winding in the slack and letting the plastic sink back down. The slow roll involves a slow continuous retrieve of the fishing reel after casting and waiting for the lure to hit the bottom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lure profile | Flathead love soft plastics and lures of all styles and colors, but grubs, worm imitations, curly tails, paddle tails, and minnow imitations are some favorites. |
| Lure size | Sizes can vary, but it's recommended to go with a minimum of 4 inches. |
| Lure color | Dark or bright colors work well in dirty water, while natural colors are better suited for clean water. |
| Lure type | Blade lures are versatile and can be used in a wide range of depths and environments. |
| Jig head weight | For shallow water, use a jig head weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz, and go heavier for deeper water. |
| Fishing technique | The hopping technique involves casting your lure and waiting for it to hit the bottom before doing quick erratic lifts. The slow roll technique involves a slow continuous retrieve after casting. |
| Fishing depth | Flathead can be found in shallow areas, typically under 3 meters deep, and they often sit on the bottom. |
| Fishing location | Look for drop-offs, rocky bottoms mixed with sand or fallen timber, and areas with plenty of baitfish. |
| Tide | The last 2 hours of the run-out tide and the first hours of the run-in tide are ideal for fishing flathead. |
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What You'll Learn
Lure selection: choose the right colour, size and style for conditions
Lure selection is a critical aspect of fishing for flathead with soft plastics, and choosing the right colour, size, and style is essential for success. Here are some insights to help you make the right choices:
Colour selection is important when fishing for flathead. As a general rule, opt for dark or bright colours in murky or dirty water, as these will stand out and be more visible to the fish. In clean water, natural colours tend to be more effective as they blend in with the surroundings and mimic the appearance of prey. Don't be afraid to experiment with different colours until you find what works best for the conditions you're fishing in.
When it comes to size, it's generally recommended to use larger lures for bigger flathead. While it is possible to catch large flathead with smaller soft plastics (even as small as 2.5 inches), using a minimum size of 4 inches is advisable. This is because larger lures often feature bulkier jig heads, which can be more effective for bigger fish. Additionally, larger lures create a more natural presentation, as flathead have large mouths that can accommodate larger lures without difficulty.
Flathead are not particularly picky when it comes to lure style, and they will go after a wide range of options. Popular choices include grubs, worm imitations, curly tails, paddle tails, and minnow imitations. Blade lures are also a versatile option, as they can be used across various depths and environments, appealing to many fish species, including flathead. Deep diving hard body lures, vibes, and jerkshads are also effective for targeting flathead.
When selecting a jig head, it's a good idea to have a variety of weights and sizes available to adjust to the current strength and weather conditions. For shallow water, a jig head weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz is recommended, while deeper water with stronger currents may require heavier weights. The weight of the jig head is generally more important than the hook size, as flathead have large mouths that can accommodate most sensibly sized hooks.
Additionally, consider the diving depth of your lures. Some lures, like the Daiwa Double Clutch, perform best in shallow areas under 3 meters deep, allowing you to brush the lure against the sand. For deeper water, larger plastics paired with heavier jig heads, such as 1/2 or 1-ounce weights, can be effective. Keeping your plastic vertical to your rod tip improves effectiveness and reduces snags.
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Use the hopping technique: cast, wait, lift, wind, and sink
The hopping technique is one of the simplest ways to fish soft plastics for flathead. It involves casting your plastic lure and waiting a few seconds for it to sink to the bottom. Flathead are ambush predators, often lying in wait at the bottom of the riverbed for an easy feed, so it's important to let your lure sink all the way. Once it's reached the bottom, do several quick, erratic lifts, winding in the slack line as you go, and then let the plastic sink back down. This erratic movement mimics the movement of prey, attracting the flathead.
When using the hopping technique, it's important to vary your jig head weight depending on the depth of water and the current. For shallow water, a jig head weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz is suitable, while deeper water with stronger currents requires a heavier jig head. You can also troll your lures with heavier jig heads, keeping them slowly in the strike zone around the bank edges, where big flatheads often lurk.
The hopping technique is particularly effective when fishing for flathead because it allows you to cover a lot of ground. Drifting while casting your lures and soft plastics will help you cover more area, increasing your chances of finding flathead. Additionally, keeping your plastic vertical to your rod tip will reduce snags and improve the effectiveness of your presentation.
To make your presentation even more enticing to flathead, use the lightest weight you can while still reaching the bottom on every pause. This will give your lure a more natural movement, appealing to the larger, smarter flathead. A simple raise or double flick of your rod tip will create this enticing action, and dropping the lure back down to the bottom will often result in a bite.
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Try the slow roll: cast, wait, then slow retrieve
When fishing for flathead with soft plastics, one technique to try is the slow roll. Cast your plastic or lure, and wait a few seconds for it to sink to the bottom. Then, slowly and continuously retrieve your fishing reel. This technique is known as the slow roll and is very effective with curl tails and paddle tail plastics, as the natural action of the soft plastics does most of the work for you.
The slow roll is a basic method that works well when fishing for flathead, an ambush predator that will often sit on the bottom and wait for baitfish or mullet to swim by for an easy feed. Flathead are not fussy and will go for just about any style or colour of soft plastic, but you can increase your chances by presenting your lure in the direction of the water flow, as this is how they would expect to see their prey swept down with the tide.
When using the slow roll, it is important to keep your plastic or lure a foot or two above the bottom. This is a great way to catch flathead, as they will often lie in wait in very shallow water. It is also a good idea to vary your jig head weight depending on the current and wind, ensuring that your soft plastic stays in very close proximity to the bottom.
The slow roll is a simple yet effective technique for fishing soft plastics for flathead. By mastering this method, you can increase your chances of success when targeting these popular inshore species.
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Fish shallow: flathead sit in 0.5-1.5m of water
Big flathead fish can often be found in shallow waters of 0.5 to 1.5 metres in depth, along the bank edges. Flathead are ambush predators, with eyes on the tops of their heads, and they are camouflaged, so they will sit on the bottom and wait for baitfish or mullet to swim by for an easy feed.
When fishing in shallow waters, it is best to use a jig head weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz. You can go heavier if you are in deeper waters with a current, but in shallow waters, you want to keep the soft plastic lure in very close proximity to the bottom. You can also troll your lures with heavier jig heads, keeping the lure in the strike zone and slowly moving around the bank edges.
When fishing in shallow waters, it is a good idea to use lures that are designed for shallow fishing. The Daiwa Double Clutch, for example, is a lure that is best fished in shallow areas under 3 metres deep. With this lure, you can get it low and brush up against the sand.
When fishing for flathead in shallow waters, it is also important to consider the presentation of your lure. Flathead will face into the direction of the water flow, so bring your lure back with the direction of the water flow, as this is how the fish will expect to see baitfish being swept down with the tide.
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Fish light: use 10lb braid with 14lb leader
When fishing for flathead, it's important to keep your setup light. Using a 10lb braid with a 14lb leader will allow you to land a trophy flathead without their teeth wearing through your leader. Flathead are ambush predators, often lying in wait on the bottom for an easy feed. This means you'll want to fish as shallow as 0.5 to 1.5 metres along the bank edges.
When using soft plastics, it's crucial to master the art of presentation. Flathead are not picky and will go for just about any style or colour of lure. However, dark or bright colours tend to work better in dirty water, while natural colours are more effective in clean water. Some popular options include grubs, worm imitations, curly tails, paddle tails, and minnow imitations.
To increase your chances of success, consider the last two hours of the run-out tide and the first hour of the run-in tide. Flathead face the direction of the water flow, so bring your lure back with the tide, imitating the natural movement of baitfish. Keep your lure a foot or two above the bottom, and don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques, such as the hopping technique or the slow roll.
Additionally, pay attention to the jig head weight. For shallow water, a weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz is recommended, while you can go heavier for deeper water with a stronger current. Make sure to adjust the weight according to the wind and current conditions, keeping the soft plastic in close proximity to the bottom.
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Frequently asked questions
Flathead are ambush predators with eyes on the top of their heads, so they will face in the direction of the water flow. Use this knowledge to bring your lure back with the direction of the water flow, as this is how they would expect to see baitfish being swept down with the tide. Flathead will also often sit on the bottom waiting for an easy feed, so you can use the hopping technique: cast your plastic or lure, wait for it to hit the bottom, then do several quick erratic lifts, wind in the slack and let the plastic sink back down.
Flathead will go at just about any style or colour of soft plastic as they are not fussy. Favourites include grubs, worm imitations, curly tails, paddle tails, and minnow imitations.
As a rule of thumb, use dark or bright colours in dirty water and natural colours in clean water. However, don't be afraid to experiment with different colours until you start getting hits.
For shallow water, use a jig head weight between 1/16oz and 1/4oz, and go heavier for deep water with currents. You can vary this depending on the current and wind, but make sure the soft plastic keeps in very close proximity to the bottom.
The last two hours of the run-out tide and the first hours of the run-in tide are best for fishing soft plastics for flathead.
