FLATHEAD, DUSKY
Scientific Name:
Platycephalus fuscus
Fish Group:
Flathead
Salt/Fresh:
Salt
Also Known As:
Dusky Flathead; Mud Flathead; Black Flathead; River Flathead; FLATHEAD, DUSKY
Rating:
Countries:
Description:
The most sought after and largest of the flatheads caught in Australia.
How To Identify:
Dusky flathead range from a fawny colour to almost black and in dark species can appear to have a green tinge. The belly of Dusky flathead are a creamy or white colouration. The tail fin of the dusky flathead has a flag pattern with a black spot in the upper half of the fin, edged with white. Dusky flathead are normally caught in the 0.5 - 2kg range, however they can grow as large as nearly 15kgs and almost 1.5m in length. A meter flathead is a mile stone many flathead fisherman spend their lifetimes in pursuit of.
How To Catch:
All flathead are opportunistic feeders and typically lie in wait on drop offs where small bait fish and other crustaceans wash over with the tide. Flathead camouflage themselves on the bottom (as you can tell from their shape) and bury themselves in the sand or mud waiting to ambush their prey. Flathead in the most part were targeted with live bait and this is one of the most productive ways to target flathead. Live small fish such as poddy mullet are excellent, however they will take most baits and always a welcome catch for the angler fishing for whiting or bream. However they also readily take lures and are probably one of the first fish caught on a lure by many young anglers. They are a sucker for a well presented soft plastic, and great fun on light tackle. I have also caught many on hard bodied deep divers. When fishing lures (although they will rise to the surface to chase a lure) the best way is to ensure your lures is working along the bottom of the sand or mud. The Dusky flathead is definitely targeted more than any other sort of flathead, and the largest of the flatheads. When fishing for flathead and the potential for large fish exists you need to ensure your leaders is upgraded to say about 8 kgs and your main line about 5 kgs. There is really no need to use a wire trace as was done often in the past, if played properly you will not loose many fish for not having a wire trace but without you will certainly attract more bites.
Where Found:
Dusky flathead are found from the mid Queensland coast south through New South Wales and occasionally into the northern waters of Victoria