James RickardDifferent flat heads
December 9th 2008 05:15
Something like this may be found in the estuaries of Australia.
Contrary to what anglers in the States may think, when the discussion turns to flatheads, the person talking may not have catfish in mind. Sometimes these fish are called "alligator fish." If you look at the accompanying photograph, you can understand why.
Flatheads have a wide flat body with eyes on the top of its head, similar to a flounder, and has very good binocular vision. Fatheads however, are much more elongated. Flatheads hide in sand and adopt surrounding color to camouflage themselves while waiting for unsuspecting prey with only their eyes visible. Varieties of flatheads can be found in estuaries and coastal bays from Cairns in Queensland to the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria.
Oceanic flathead species like the sand flathead, tiger flathead, (why the shark names?) are usually found offshore or, at least further offshore than the dusky flathead which is often found in sandy areas around coastal reefs, although another species, the bar-tailed flathead, turns up in in several esturine environments.
Flatheads can be caught on a variety of baits during most of the year but they are more commonly caught during summer.
Here's video I found on YouTube that shows an angler in Australia going after a flathead. Personally, I'm not too crazy about watching guys fish but this video illustrates a few points:
(1) Berkeley baits, like he's using, are available all over the world. There's hardly an angler around who doesn't know the name.
(2) It hard to talk about fishing equipment and not start spouting off in feet or ounces--even if you buy fuel by the liter!
(3) Notice the guy's shirt. Pure Fishing is a far reaching organization.
(4) He also mentions the need for footwear when wading. Even in the rivers or lakes around here, I shudder when I see people wading barefooted! When I think of all the hooks and lures that are lost each year, I wonder how long it takes for infection to set if after stepping on a sharp object
(5) Although you may feel a little self conscious, it never hurts to wear a hat and sunglasses.
The video lasts 8 minutes so, you may not have time for the whole thing. If that's the case, watch half of it and learn a little. OR watch it all and see what a flathead looks like.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by moonglow
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I don't fish, but my husband does. I'll tell him about your blog!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
What's his fancy? I can go for what ever is biting but, one place I've started going seems to be good for catfish.
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
The Fish&Chip shop in Torquay does the best flat-head tails.
They're easier to spear than fish.
They're hard to see, but once they are out of the sand, they're not that fast and you can spike them good.
There's plenty around here, but not always very big.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...