Michael released this flathead back into the Tweed River when out with Brad Smith Fishing Charters.
Dan with a lovely flathead ready for release on Brad Smith’s Tweed River charter.
Finding flathead and squid
H
Ken did well and caught a brace of quality flathead on a Tweed River charter with Brad Smith.
I everyone, September is the peak of flathead fishing season on the Gold Coast, with bigger females gradually making their way towards the river mouths in preparation for their breeding season. They will spawn multiple times over summer, but this month they will feed aggressively to put on condition. These big breeder females range up to
GOLD COAST ESTUARY CHARTERS
PRIVATE
Broadwater Guide by CLINT ANSELL
nearly 1m long and are a prize catch. So, handle and release them carefully to ensure plentiful stocks for the future. Though the maximum size limit in Queensland is 75cm, we prefer to release flathead from 60cm and above on our charters. Female flathead usually have a number of smaller male flathead up to 50cm long accompanying them. These male flat-
ties are solid points scorers in the annual flathead classic tournament, expertly run by the Gold Coast Sport Fishing Club since 1994. You still have time to enter and there are massive prizes to be won, even if you don’t catch a lot of fish. When in feeding mode, flathead are easily caught on lures and some of the most successful are 3-4” soft plastics, soft vibes
* continued P31
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Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing September 2022
Samaki Vibelicious in Slimy Mackerel colour has been good on flathead. www.bnbfishing.com. au
