One of the most visually recognisable fish (even to those who rarely if ever dangle a line), there are at least 40 species of flathead in Australian waters with eight of those species in Victoria. Most commonly caught flathead in Victoria include the sand flathead, tiger flathead, rock flathead, dusky flathead and yank or blue-spot flathead.
Not outstanding as a sport fish, flathead live in shallow to deep water and change colour to suit the environment. A fish of great stealth, they burrow into the sea floor, leaving only their eyes exposed, as they lie in wait for crustaceans and small fish.
The dusky flathead is the largest by far and can grow to 15kg. Most of Victoria’s flatheads are commonly encountered in water of 1-25 metres in estuaries, bays and along surf beaches. They can even be found at 65 metres in eastern Bass Strait.

SIZE: Dusky flathead can reach 1.3 metres and 15kg although most catches of flathead in Victoria are less than 35cm and less than 1kg.

WHERE: Sand and mud bottoms of bay inlets, estuaries and shallow coastal waters, particularly Port Phillip Bay.

TACKLE: Long shank or suicide hooks in sizes No.1 to No.3.

BAIT: Fresh or frozen including whole prawns (rigged to bounce over the bottom behind a heavy sinker), fish strips, pilchards, pipis, squid. Lures and saltwater flies will also work well.

BITE: A fast and predatory fish, flathead will often strike hard but become a dead weight to reel-in and land.

EATING: Clean soon after catch. Firm, white flesh of excellent table quality.