Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Flathead, common catch that tastes great!
Dr Snapper
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Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Dr Snapper » Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:59 pm

Hi all,
My usual flathead spot turned up about 15 just under sized flathead on my last trip. I was annoyed to say the lest.
I spoke to an old fisho who suggested I go to the same spot but a bit deeper. I read the same thing on this forum so I thought I'd give it a try.
Result, less fish but a few keepers. Give it a try, see how you go.
Thanks to all old fishos for their tips on the web.

Any other winter fishing tips welcomed.

Cheers.
Dr S.

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4liters
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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by 4liters » Mon Jul 03, 2017 6:59 am

How deep?
2015/16 Fisting Victoria Species comp total: 289cm
Brown Trout: 37cm
Flathead: 51cm; Squid: 36cm; Australian Salmon: 51cm; Snapper 46cm; Silver Trevally 23cm; KGW: 45cm
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Dr Snapper
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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Dr Snapper » Mon Jul 03, 2017 7:26 am

4liters wrote:How deep?
Just a bit.

I generally fish in 3 to 4 metres and I moved out to 7 to 8.

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by laneends » Mon Jul 03, 2017 2:20 pm

Tend to look around 6m or at least close to drop offs / structure. Tend not to find them as plentiful in the open shallower depths in winter that you do at other times. But like everything its not a golden rule.

I am finding the average size this year bigger, in PPB anyway.

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Scraglor » Mon Jul 03, 2017 7:28 pm

I went out to Mornington a few weeks ago, got 20+ flatties (30-36cm) in 19/20mtrs of water. threw back oodles of little ones tho. Still plenty about, no stonkers and you need to sort through the little ones, but you can put together a feed

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Dr Snapper » Mon Jul 03, 2017 9:38 pm

Scraglor wrote:I went out to Mornington a few weeks ago, got 20+ flatties (30-36cm) in 19/20mtrs of water. threw back oodles of little ones tho. Still plenty about, no stonkers and you need to sort through the little ones, but you can put together a feed
I might go out even further then! I will let you know how I go.
Using pippies and pilchards as my baits.

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by laneends » Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:14 am

I find 1cm cubes of pillies work well and smaller j longshanks working better than circles at the moment. Larger baits and hooks are getting dropped. paternosters on light gear on a slow drift. When you come across a patch of them a second fish will sometimes follow the first and hook on your second hook, or even net it while its still following.

All that said it often comes down to luckily coming across a patch of them wherever that may be.

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Dr Snapper » Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:17 pm

laneends wrote:I find 1cm cubes of pillies work well and smaller j longshanks working better than circles at the moment. Larger baits and hooks are getting dropped. paternosters on light gear on a slow drift. When you come across a patch of them a second fish will sometimes follow the first and hook on your second hook, or even net it while its still following.

All that said it often comes down to luckily coming across a patch of them wherever that may be.
Ahhh, the double hook up! Makes you think you have a good sized flatty only to be surprised when you get it to the boat.
I should get out sometime over the weekend. I will try long shanks and let you know how it goes.

Any other flathead tips at this time of year most welcome. Thanks in advance.

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Pethrk » Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:34 pm

Was out today in 15m of water out from Carrum, caught 19 in total all undersized. Disappointed not to get to keep anything but happy I caught something :)

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Re: Winter - flathead - go a bit deeper

Post by Lightningx » Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:47 pm

Pethrk wrote:Was out today in 15m of water out from Carrum, caught 19 in total all undersized. Disappointed not to get to keep anything but happy I caught something :)
From my experience I have always caught the bigger ones in shallower :)

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