Shorncliffe Flathead

Probably one of the overooked possible catches around Shorncliffe is the tasty flathead. A few of the old-timers walking along the Jetty that used to fish around there years ago would tell of good catches of flathead, but not so sure anymore.

Sure enough there are plenty of good size flatheads around the Shorncliffe jetty/pier. I've caught several as by-products of searching for patrolling Bream. Typically less than 20m out from shore, and around 1-5m from the jetty. I've caught them on squid, on the bread mix, and even got a big one to the surface on a prawn squid jig. When you hear and see a bit of splashing around the surface near the jetty, my guess is that there are flatties patrolling around below the baitfish and/or prawn, especially when it's too warm for numbers of squid to be around.

It is possible to catch flathead with idle bait sitting out getting soaked, but I find the best results for enticing a strike is to bounce the bait along the bottom on a size 1 or so sinker. Flatties will patrol or camp gutters waiting for potential meals to swim or drift in front or over them then strike. Most of the strikes I've had from flathead were mid-bounce. A moving bait also gives you a good chance of running through the gutters where flatties are stalking.

A bit of patience, perserverence, and creativity can result in a few nice table fish.