FISHING WISDOM - How-To Catch MONSTER Flathead in Skinny Water!

In this episode of my video+podcast, I delve into the subject of targeting big dusky flathead in shallow water - one of my favourite pursuits in spring and summer! You can watch, listen or do a mix of both. It's up to you. Enjoy!
By the way, if you'd like to buy my "Chasing Unicorns" e-book about targeting big flathead, or any of my other e-books, you'll find them here: issuu.com/fishotopia/stacks/1...
... and if you love this video and my channel, please consider shouting me a beer (or a coffee!) to help me produce lots MORE great KZbin content for your viewing pleasure! Simply go to: www.buymeacoffee.com/starlo
Thanks... and cheers!

[@StarloGetsReel]

If you'd like to buy my "Chasing Unicorns" e-book about targeting big flathead, or any of my other e-books, you'll find them here: issuu.com/fishotopia/stacks/13c57c5ab09d42159cc385fd14ec2fef

[@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157]

Gday steve, I wanted to ask a question, I make my own timber hand carved Murray cod lures which I’ve been selling for a few year now. I’ve been smashing great fish on them when other fishos aren’t even getting hits (sounds like I’m talking it up but I’m not) running my business I don’t have enough time to make them consistently, Can you point me in the direction of some companies that I can sent a mould to that can make big batches of them from plastic? I’ve looked and asked around but can’t seem to find an answer. Be happy to sent you a couple to look at, they would be perfect for the live scope as well. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks steve.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157 g’day. I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head. Might be worth getting on some of the lure and lure makers’ forums like lurelovers and asking for some advice? All the best with it. 👍

[@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157]

@@StarloGetsReel brilliant! Thank you very much, appreciate the reply and info. All the best👍

[@Theautisticadhdadventurer]

Is this available as a podcast

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@Theautisticadhdadventurer sure is. You can download it from Spotify or Google Podcasts or Apple. 👍

[@chrislewis9985]

Honesty the best written fishing ep I've seen in ages from anybody on KZbin . Well done starlo ,that's why your a fishing legend !!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks mate! I really appreciate that feedback. Tight Lines, Starlo

[@barretthompson4755]

I fished the flats at The Entrance a couple of weeks ago using a 65mm Zerek fish trap and it was one of the most fun day of fishing ive ever had!!! And i also got to see a flathead ambush my lure in knee deep water about 2 1/2 metres from where i was fishing!!! It was one of the coolest things ive seen..

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff! 👍

[@kelhinde-be3oc]

Hmmm 🤔I was just eyeballing a large river flat yesterday as I focused on 2 distinct outflows, roll on the weekend for a low tide meander. Thanks Starlo. 👍

[@brianrowland9993]

Wow great informative video - some really interesting techniques for chasing big lizards. I will use the recommendations on my next trip!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ianhirons7762]

Great video Steve and thank you for the tips .

[@StarloGetsReel]

You're most welcome.

[@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157]

I was one of those fishos as well but when I decided to target big fish only then things change. I couldn’t find lures on the market that suited me so I started making my own and the results are in my KZbin channel if your interested with plenty of meter plus fish coming quickly and cracking a 1.2m wild Queensland Murray cod this year. If your willing to accept donuts 70% of the time, when it happens you forget them instantly.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff!

[@Theautisticadhdadventurer]

That’s me atm donuts lately

[@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157]

@@Theautisticadhdadventurer that’s how it goes ay but you instantly forget the donuts when you crack a good one.

[@Theautisticadhdadventurer]

@@peppipoohductionswakashunt3157 i need someone like starlo to take me for a fish to help learn some tips skills etc

[@justinadams5159]

That was a simply amazing detailed forum on Flattie chasing. Can’t believe I actually heard the name Flathead Fred, who was being talked about in hushed tones in early 90s by respectful fishos when I was targeting Flatehead Down in Mallacoota camping with my father. Didn’t get one while there, tangled with one while running a handline, guess what happened there. Did however land one up here in Forster last year that was 94cm roughly, definitely no less, could have been a touch more. I’d drifted over it with a kayak in cm deep water and was breathless as I saw it move away, but slowly, so I cast to where I thought it had gone, “dunk” Knew it was her straight away, on 6lb braid 8 lb leader. The runs wow, never had my reel screamed like that. Anyway just wore it out in open water thankfully, got the photos. Does that count as a genuine Unicorn? Stay well Starlo😮

[@StarloGetsReel]

Awesome! 94-ish is definitely unicorn territory. Well done.

[@timrosenthal46]

Fantastic Starlo, I wished I had known this great info when we fished Pambula years ago. We did manage to land some nice fish to 700mm but I am sure there were bigger fish holding up in the quiet upper reaches left of the ramp.

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure!

[@intensity.density2208]

There was a tackle store in my local area that closed down about a decade ago. In the store he had "The wall of big catches" and on that wall was a picture of a bloke holding an absolute monster model of a flathead and underneath it written in permanent marker, "1.2m flathead caught in the Hawkesbury River" My jaw dropped. It was caught in the late 90's, and the picture was snapped with the film cameras. So the picture being legitimate is very, very likely. I haven't seen anything over 60 on the end of my line. One day, Steve. One day. Lol

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good to know they're out there!

[@intensity.density2208]

@@StarloGetsReel indeed, and I'd imagine they'd be either in deeper water or they're a little too smart for anglers. Either way, I'm sure a there are 1m+ giants are lurking around

[@needmoreboost6369]

Great vid! Gotta love the flatty! Pumice stone passage in 2014 I saw 2 140+ fish, one was killed on a hire boat by the blokes that caught it,the 2nd was caught by my mate on his charter boat and was successfully released that Same fish I had dropped the day’s prior so we knew she was there. And by far the biggest I’ve seen in the mid 90s was Swansea channel the fish was around 170-200 I’m not kidding! It swallowed half dozen or so tailor around 50-60cm off the surface boiling the tailor like a school of pilchards and finally a photo of one caught in the 1940s that was 16inches wide and 74lb cleaned!!

[@StarloGetsReel]

There ya go!

[@needmoreboost6369]

@@StarloGetsReel I should have stated that the photo of the 74lb fish was a newspaper clipping, so possibly could be in archives somewhere

[@normanmendonca2834]

Great words of wisdom my friend, it all makes sense once you explained it all. Hopefully, I can catch a few monsters in the shallows. My efforts are land based… no boat. Yet! lol Where did you get that landing net mate. I love it. Keep them coming Starlo, I always learn a lot from your Channel. All the best.😂

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm. That landing net is a gem, isn't it? It's a big EnviroNet from Shimano.

[@peterRobinson10101]

ttat was really valuable about them facing the tide and prey direction. something i usually forget to factor in. all up a great video. actually valuable on so many fronts. thanks. About the best flattie video on youtube.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback.

[@fredflintstone6729]

My uncle used to tie off to an oyster lease in Tuncurry and drift herring in the run out for over a decade every day throughout the 90's, in those days keeping large fish wasn't a problem so it was a regular occurrence to find a croc skull nailed to the tree for the ants to clean for a new trophy.. In that time, literally thousands of big females boated and only 1 went over the meter mark but in saying that, it was 113cm and 23lbs! These days i wouldn't believe it without a photo but i was witness to that behemoth, ridiculous fish that i'm highly unlikely to see again even in a photo.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Amazing!

[@arronfraser6535]

Absolutely loved this one starlo really drew me in and got me that much keener for my next trip chasing these beautiful fish

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good to hear!

[@danthoms6613]

👍👍 Thanks Starlo!

[@StarloGetsReel]

No problem 👍

[@nobodyhome8148]

Great timing on this one ...... got my first Flatty of the season yesterday........ not a monster but a respectable 600 😉

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice one!

[@downunderfulla6001]

I remember in the 90’s we regularly caught big flathead. These days I personally think they are harder to find. Starlo if you cried Wolf (Croc 🐊) up here in North/Central Queensland, you’d be in a world of hurt. Yeah I agree flathead have always been called lizards but to purposely misrepresent them as a dangerous animal is so wrong. Ok I’ve had a bit of a rant, my apologies but I think it’s warranted. I think many anglers these days are aware of sustainability and take what they need instead of what they can fit in the esky. Thank for the video on flathead. They are one of my favourites to target and taste.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Fair enough. Flatties have so many nick names around the country: frogs, yanks, lizards, crocs, flat dogs... I've heard them called so many things. I don't think calling the big ones crocs is "purposely misrepresenting them as dangerous animals", any more than it would be if I called my cat Tiger or my dog Wolf... but each to their own, and I do apologise for any offence caused. You're right about more and more people doing the right thing these days. As a result we're seeing quite a few more BIG flatties down my way than at any time in my life. Sorry to hear it's not the same where you are. Tight Lines & happy cro... OOOPS! I mean lizard hunting. ;) Starlo

[@downunderfulla6001]

Haha no offence, It’s just that I had a SEQ bloke visiting me here in NQ about 2yrs ago. I took him to a hotspot of mine and about 3/4hr in he pointed to the waters edge, yes at my feet and yelled croc. You can imagine my instant reaction. I feel like I died for a couple minutes that day. Wow I’ve never heard of some of those names. Again thanks mate for the video👍Tight lines

[@Theautisticadhdadventurer]

Another great video starlo

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@Theautisticadhdadventurer]

@@StarloGetsReel your most welcome you are true legend

[@deriserudder5098]

That was really good info I have had a large flaty try to take a smaller one at the boat that large mouth coming out of the dark wake's you up real quick keep up the good work I'm of to get some large plastic my wife is going to hate you 😅 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

Love it!

[@brucemcphee5785]

Great video Steve, I remember watching you and Bushy many years ago on TV. You guys are legends. My pb croc is 73cm. Caught in the Burrum river, my wife caught her pb in the same river 2 years ago. Hers in 65cm, so you can imagine I was happy she didn’t out do me. But I was thrilled to see her land that. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff, and thanks for the subscribe!

[@peterRobinson10101]

biggest blue spot i ever caught (62cm) was in water deep enough to just cover my ankle at night in Ventnor Philip island. The most successful blokes in gippsland i know get those 80+ 1m duskies on huge 3 hook stickbaits.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Very true.

[@seanharwood974]

Great clip Starlo and pretty comprehensive. I see some big ones in very shallow water when stand up paddle boarding the local river . You don’t see them until you’re right on them and they just explode off the sand. The big lure theory is 100% right . I found that out trying to catch Murray Cod over the years and finding success after upsizing .

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@feartheduck6664]

Great stuff! I don’t know what it is like these days, but Borang used to be home to some unicorn flatties. Flathead season is almost here at the Yorke Peninsula. Can’t wait…..

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, still a few in Borang.

[@FishingNOutdoorFun]

love your video mate, keep it up

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you!

[@nicholasminter4044]

I'm still chasing a legal flathead, a month or so back I was night fishing live prawns and I hooked into one that would have been 70cm. I slowly tried to walk it to shore and then with a flick of its head it cut the line, I could have just cried at that point. I then spent the next two nights out at the water some times until 1AM when the tide had finished but it was a no show.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Damn! Hang in there... it'll happen.

[@mmmbass6068]

This is a really good vid - can’t think of anything I disagree with.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@davidgc4396]

Enjoyed that Starlo. I seem to get plenty of baby flathead in my cast net but don’t seem to catch any? They must be around.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, they're out there.

[@oijosh6286]

At the kiosk at patonga I'm pretty sure there's a photo of a guy with a 110cm one caught earluer this year from memory. Saw it about a week ago, pretty sure ive got the details right but I'll check next time I'm there & edit if wrong. My PB is 92, caught another 88, but trying to crack that 100 is something that sure keeps you keen & excited. It'd probably be an anti-climax if i did get one...

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice. My PB was 92 for years and I finally managed to nudge it up to 93 last year... I don't think a meterey would be an anti-climax! ;)

[@Steele-Robinson]

the amount of good informed information in this video is crazy, this is a massive eye opener on chasing these big girls in shallows always wanted to get a 90+ on a big bait! such a iconic fisherman that ive been following since the age of 6 thank you for paving the way as a young fisho is still recall watching the squidgy secrets dvd and it always begging my parents to take me fishing!! Thank you Starlo

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@robertdaniel1827]

Interesting

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jaar8320]

Starlo, your Fishing Wisdom is priceless for us Aussie (and possible overseas) fishermen and women. The way you present the information is so clear and easily digestible but obviously a product of your years of experience. As someone who loves catching flathead of all sizes and is very interested in these "Unicorn" fish, but does not possess an electric motor on my tinny yet, would you have any advice on the best way to stay stealthy but also successfully fish an area? Is motoring in to a spot with the engine then drifting the best way to go, or would you suggest using an anchor to stop the drift and make sure the area is fully covered before moving onwards? As you said the fish tend to eventually return to the flat but is there any way of avoiding spooking them in the first place e.g. using oars to move on the flat? Cheers

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks for those kind words! Both approaches you've described will work, but don't rule out anchoring or beaching the boat, climbing out and quietly WADING! It can be extremely effective in shallower areas - often more so than boat fishing!

[@stephentalbot3256]

Yamba in the 1970 plenty

[@jarrodbourne5019]

Hi Steve. Have you viewed Nev's Fishing?. In particular the " Topwater Fishing for GIANT Fish!?!". It's probly some of the best footage I've ever seen for sight casting lizards....with the aid of a drone....almost like cheating 🤣

[@StarloGetsReel]

I've seen some of it... brilliant stuff!

[@jarrodbourne5019]

Yeah, a different dynamic and great tool for sure, on the right conditions!

[@joshforrester3370]

Ask ya cod mate Dean about my fish pic haha legend Steve

[@StarloGetsReel]

Will do.

[@judyfisk9657]

Thanks for that insite to the big Croc . I noticed your where using Squidgy Wip baits i loved to used them as my go to Flathead lure but i now cannot find them in any of my local bait and tackel shops big or small are they still made or have been discontinued from production ?. In se QLD i think Flathead have a min and max size now so we mite see a few more meter plus fish turn up as a regular catch in my local area. Look fwd to your next Fishing Wisdom pod cast

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks for that. Sadly, the Whip Baits are no longer made. I only have a few left myself. :(

[@judyfisk9657]

It is a great pitty as it was somthing they got right i acshely still have some packets of shads i took over seas to fish with wile i was in the navy and had great resolts all over the world thank you for your responce. @@StarloGetsReel

[@richardbraham2486]

I just hope that people return the larger types for breeding reasons.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep. Have to by law these days, anyway.

[@mudgut69]

There are reasonable numbers of metre plus fish in Yamba.

[@StarloGetsReel]

There are certainly some big ones up that way.

[@mudgut69]

@@StarloGetsReel the warmer water and a bit of rain is finally pushing the big girls closer to the mouth. They’ve mainly been upstream and they have been sitting in deeper water. But your video is correct for most seasons and most waterways. Just not Yamba in winter.

[@downunderfulla6001]

🍺🍺

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@shaifyson877]

This is true I was fishing 200 mm water with a top water frog and got smashed 5 inch frog got hit like a barra but It was a 78 cm flatty breached to get it and I was thinking what did it think it was I can't think of anything but rats and mice to be honest crazy 😜 😀

[@StarloGetsReel]

Very cool! Who knows what goes through their minds, eh?

[@shaifyson877]

It's so true great video mate stay cool

[@hairyscary8511]

You need whole chooks to catch monster 3m flattys😅

[@StarloGetsReel]

Apparently!

[@joshforrester3370]

There 2nd to chasing jew in our southcoast water play grounds Steve yur a legend please how can I send you a pic of a meter plus 20pound monster I got walking my local flat

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks! Maybe via my Starlo's Fishotopia page on FB?

[@brettellis1837]

Well ya never fish coin island. 😂😂😂 lol got 3 1014mm 1o28mm 1035mm. Got to be were the herring are there all ways in the area of island. Wife got one she hooked a 333mm bream pikey tooloola area near a pump on a small rock wall 1054mm lizard ate bream on way up top spines were locked into top jaw of lizard still to this day I tell her it did not count why she never had a hook in lizard lol 😂😂😂😂.

[@StarloGetsReel]

No idea where Coin Island, is but it sounds like a good spot. 👍👍👍

[@brettellis1837]

On a glassed out day one can see them stretched out on the coffee rock and granite. Island is in Gladstone qld.

[@stephentalbot3256]

Live bait

[@StarloGetsReel]

Certainly works. But a few too many deep hookups for my liking.

[@666Havers]

What are those sectional lures called starlo?

[@StarloGetsReel]

I think the one you're referring to is the Flag? There are quite a few brands.

[@666Havers]

Yeah that one at 6:30 mark. I've never seen them before they look real cool.