FLATHEAD RIG TIPS FOR BAIT OR LURES

Australia’s
obsession with chasing flathead is genuinely phenomenal. It’s a love affair
that never got old as we’ve continued to dream about hooking the meter plus
monster lizard.

Of course,
we’re talking about the famous dusky flathead. While there are several species
of flathead, our focus in this article is on the dusky.

The dusky
inhabits waters from the tip of Cape York to the west of Wilson’s promontory,
the Australian mainland’s most southern point. They’re available in significant
numbers inshore and nearshore, from the beach to the brackish.

Something
the average angler may not realise is that the dusky can reach a length of 1.2 meters
and weigh as much as 10kg. While flathead of these dimensions might be rare,
they exist. To catch one, all you need is the right flathead rig.

Keep in mind
that there are various flathead species Australia wide. The flathead rigs we’re
discussing here will, by and large, suit most flathead species.

There’s more
than one approach to catching flathead. While flathead rigs can vary
significantly, we believe in keeping things as simple as possible.

At the
fishing tackle shop, we have a selection of ready to cast flathead rigs for
sale that will save you time and money.

Our
selection of line, leader and terminal tackle is also extensive, providing
flathead anglers plenty of options for refining and tailoring their flathead
rigs.

The fishing
tackle shop is the home of lures, so, needless to say, we have an impressive
selection of flathead lures for sale that will lift your catch numbers.

Let’s have a
look at a few good flathead rigs. You may feel that there’s nothing left to
write or reveal about our favourite pastime species, but revisiting basics is a
great way to improve your catch.

Proven
flathead rigs and solid terminal tackle is a must for increasing your flathead
catch. The beauty of flathead rigs and lures is that rigging with quality is
very accessible to even the tightest of budgets.

Let’s rig
for flathead.

Ready to Cast Rigs

A Pre-made flathead rig comes supplied ready to attach to your mainline. Often a favourite
with novice anglers and weekend danglers, these flathead rigs take out a lot of the guesswork and rigging. One knot is all that’s required.

Pre-made flathead rigs are at the heart of simplicity. With one knot and no decisions to make, fishing for flathead has never been easier.

Each rig assembled by an expert includes quality, sharp hooks, with swivel and sinker.

The pre-made rig is not for every angler by any stretch. However, the rigs remain well-liked
for those convenience anglers hunting flathead.

Buy Pre Made Flathead Rigs Here

Making your own Flathead Rig

Most anglers choose to make their own flathead rigs. Rig specifics get determined by the location, size of the target, size, and type of bait, and other considerations including ocean, wind and weather conditions.

3 very simple rigs are always successful when targeting flathead. 1 and 2 are for flesh and /or live baits, and you can use them in every location in just about any conditions.

The third flathead rig is for lures, both soft plastics, and hard body. Remember, we’re keeping things as simple as we can. Let’s not overthink it; the flathead certainly don’t.

1.Classic Flathead Rig for flesh or dead bait for mono mains

Run a sinker
weighted to conditions down to a swivel. Connect a 60cm leader to your swivel
and a hook to the end of the leader. Yep, Simple.

The Hook

Size can
vary and is driven mostly by bait size and the size of the fish you’re hunting.
Usually, size 2 to size 5/0 will be the range. Remember, these guys have big
mouths.

Anglers have
their particular preferences for hook style, but it will depend on bait. A long
shank will be excellent for worms and strip baits.

A long shank
also affords a little more protection from flathead teeth – they make a mess of
your leader, and who hasn’t lost a flatty to its leader grinding head shakes.

Of course,
the suicide and circle style hooks are terrific – circle, especially if you
plan a release. The circle or suicide hook profile will work effortlessly for
many styles of flesh baits, especially whole dead fish such as whitebait, poddy
mullet and squid.

Leader

Make sure
you prepare your kit with decent leader material. Whether you choose a mono
leader or fluoro leader is personal preference. Excellent abrasion resistance
is paramount.

Sinkers

Flathead are
bottom dwellers, but also ambush predators. They will come up for a bait. It
would be best if you got it down there though, so weight accordingly.

If there’s a
bit of current about, or if you’re fishing the surf, choose a sinker that
offers a little more surface area such as a bean. A ball will suffice in many
circumstances.

Use as
little weight as possible. It’s a good rule of thumb for all fishing. Wind may
require you to up the weight for casting purposes but again, only as much as you
need.

Swivels

There are
several styles from which to choose. At Fishing Tackle Shop, we sell a few types,
including brass barrel and crane in small handy size pre-packs. Alternatively,
buy bulk swivels to suit your budget and save some cash.

For balanced
rigs, try not to overdo it with size. Choose a swivel suitable for your line
and leader class.

2.Classic Flathead Rig for Larger Live Baits for Mono Mainlines

While you
can undoubtedly use rig number one above for live baits, casting poddy mullet,
small slimy or yakka, is better with a few adjustments.

Use a leader
about 1 meter long tied to the swivel as above. However, if you intend using
weight, let it run to the hook.

For complete
simplicity, proving you are using mono you can forget the swivel and leader
altogether. Simply connect your hook to the mainline running your sinker to the
hook (if needed).

While this
is a brilliant and straightforward rig, it’s not without its issues though.
It’s not suitable for thin diameter lines and braid.

Without a
decent leader, theirs a very high risk, you will be bitten off. Usually,
seconds before you land it, as the flatty does it’s last chance head shake.
Devastating.

Keep in mind
that without a swivel you may have some line twist to deal with aswell.

Despite
these two considerations, this is a classic and potent rig for big flatties.

Hooks

Depending on
the size of your bait, 3/0 to 5/0 will do the trick. The best tip is to go
super-sharp, quality hooks. Suicide, light gauge live bait, and circle hooks
are brilliant here.

Just
remember, the worst thing you can do is use a hook too small or too large for
the bait. Presentation is everything; therefore, balance is everything.

Leader

Again, mono
or fluorocarbon is a personal choice, but this is not the place to argue the
pros and cons of each. In short, both are highly effective.

Abrasion
resistance is king, but don’t sacrifice on the supple feel as a flexible leader
will deliver stronger knots and will also allow your bait to move more effortlessly
and stay alive longer.

Swivels

As per rig
one.

3.Flathead Rig for Soft Plastics and Hardbody Lures

Run mono
straight to your lure and connect with a loop knot for hardbody lures or blood
knot for plastics. If your using braid, connect your main line to a fluorocarbon
leader 60cm to 1 meter, then attach to the lure. Too easy.

Braid hails
as the better choice for extracting peak performance from lures, particularly
soft plastics.

However,
mono will also extract a highly attractive action from your lures. Action and
sensitivity diminish slightly as mono line class increases in strength. Please
don’t lose any sleep over it, however.

It’s
important not to overthink this. Flathead are a simple fish species. Use simple
flathead rigs.

What lure to use for flathead?

It’s rare to
find a lure that flathead won’t take, within reason, of course. Don’t cast
300mm trolling skirts. Having said that, we reckon the cantankerous old flatty
would still have a go at it.

Flathead are
voracious predators that will attack anything that moves, or doesn’t move, for
that matter. They’re a bit of a garbage gut and take just about anything. If it
moves, however, as a lure does, they’ll smash them.

At the
fishing tackle shop, we have a lure section dedicated to flathead. It’s a HUGE
category, because flathead fancies everything from spinnerbaits, to soft
plastics of all kinds, to barra lures, and blades.

Visit the
fishing tackle shop’s flathead lures for sale section and go crazy. There’s no
need to spend a fortune. There is plenty of high quality, proven flathead lures
that will weaponise your flathead rig.

Jig Heads

Fishing
weightless soft plastics is super fun, but not the go for flathead. You’ll need
weight; therefore you’ll need a quality jig head.

Not so long
ago, jig head selection was pretty straight forward. Now there’s such a variety
it can end up confusing.

The fishing
tackle shop has a vast range of jig heads for sale that will enhance the action
of your flathead rig. We’re also happy to advise on a selection that will suit
your desired flathead rig.

Again,
simplicity. Don’t overthink it. You want to get your plastic into the strike
zone, looking natural. You’ll likely be choosing a head-weighted or
belly-weighted jig head. The belly weight is excellent for the shallows, and
the head weight is ideal for the deep stuff.

The hook
size is, and weight will be relative to the lure you are using. These days,
many manufacturers will indicate the ideal jig head on the packet. It’s a great
place to start.

Don’t be
afraid to use a larger lure and a bigger jig head. Rule of thumb is that big
fish like big lures — a good practice with flathead.

See Our Best Lures For Flathead Here

Flathead Rig Wrap-up

Solid basics
should always be your default position for flathead success. Keep your rigs
simple – traditional.

Our experts
at the fishing tackle shop have a strong passion for grassroots fishing. It
doesn’t get more grassroots than chasing flatties.

Follow the
links in this article and get familiar with everything you need to set up the
perfect flathead rig.

Revisit the
basics, put them in practice, and maybe your next session will see the
meter-long lizard ticked off your bucket list.