FLATHEAD, TIGER

F, T -

FLATHEAD, TIGER

Scientific Name: 
Platycephalus richardsoni
Fish Group: 
Flathead
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Tiger Flathead; FLATHEAD, TIGER
Rating: 
Countries: 
Australia
Description: 
The Tiger flathead is a deep offshore flathead caught mainly by trawler fisherman.
How To Identify: 
The Tiger flathead is dark brown to almost grey on the upper half of its body with bright orange spots on its head and body. It has the typical flathead creamy / white underbelly. It grows to about 65cm and almost 1.5kgs.
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.
Where Found: 
Tiger flathead are found deeper offshore reefs (down to 40 fathoms) - mostly caught by Trawler fisherman or line fisherman fishing deeper offshore from Southern Queensland, into New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania

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