Fishing Victoria Forum

Going to go down to st kilda Pier early next week sometime and I'm really interested in trying to catch using soft plastics, a technique I haven't tried before. Any one got any tips or advice on lures I should look at?

I swear by zman soft plastics, strong and they don't make a mess.
Get a few colours (my fav is the blue-silver ones).
Jig heads with 1/0 hook and between 1/4 and 1/12 weight.

Cast in areas with patchy weed and sand, and bring it back in giving it flicks. Mix it up there is no wrong way to bring a jig in, fast or slow (faster is better if it's really weedy). Flathead usually aren't too picky and if they are there they will take your plastic

Thanks for the reply,I'll take a quick look at them this evening.

squidgies work very well as well i prefer the wrigglers. i find the 120ml and 80ml sliver fox work the best

Any of the zman grub type lures with flappy tails, you really have to impart little or no action if you are inexperienced to attract flathead. If they are there and you scoot one past them on or near the bottom, they'll jump on it. Colour doesn't usually make much difference, although I might choose something brighter/less natural if the water isn't so clear. Best advice would be to change spots regularly, cover as much distance as you can.

Gulp turtleback worms are good

I am a big fan of curl tail grubs for flathead 3 inch in pumpkin seed or motor oil colour. As scott said there is no right or wrong retrieve I like the two quick lifts then take up the slack or just a slow retrieve whatever works on the day. Flathead will attack any thing that is moving I have often had hits with the rod in the holder and the soft plastic just a couple of inches off the bottom while I have been making a coffee just the rocking of the boat is enough to do the damage

Z Man streakz curly tailz on 1/8 to 1/4oz jig heads. Z Man Minnowz on 1/6 to 1/4oz, or Z Man Grubz 5" on 1/4 to 3/8oz jig heads. Hook size 1/0 to 2/0. If the current is running strong, use the heavier weight jig heads and vice versa.

Any retrieve will work, personally I just use a single fast lift of the rod.

Any colour will work, but my personal favourites are Houdini, Pinfish, Opening Night, Redbone glow, Bloodworm. Add a bit of scent gel for extra enticement, then hold on as the poor flatties just can't get enough of these lures!

caledup wrote:Gulp turtleback worms are good

X2 best flatty plastic around.
Kgw will take them...

Most of the flathead I've opened up have had at least one crab in them, has anyone tried a crab plastic or a cranka crab dragged along the bottom while drifting?