The Dusky flathead is one of my very favourite fish. A brave battler, clever with the ability to camouflage and excellent in the kitchen.
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We are very fortunate in this port as we have the ideal habitat to sustain a healthy population for both commercial and recreational fishers.
The mangrove forests in the western corners of the port, the sea grass meadows that fringe the harbour, the oyster racks and the warm shallows around Swan Bay, Carrington and Tahlee are places that duskies lurk, waiting in ambush for their next meal to swim by.
When it comes to bait, flathead aren’t fussy. Pilchards, prawns, nippers, filleted and stripped mullet, tailor, slimy mackerel, whiting, bonito… the list goes on.
Flathead love live poddy mullet. Hard bodied lures, poppers and plastics all attract the attention of this aggressive fish. From a standing start duskies can run down any prey.
It will not be long before the NSW Fisheries law on duskies will change. All fish over 70 centimetres must be released.
Inside the harbour the blue swimmers are becoming increasingly restless. Not long now before there is a full on invasion. Remember – no witches hats or wide mouth traps in Port Stephens.
Got a pic or tip for Stinker?
- You can email it to stinkerfishing@yahoo.com with your contact number and details of your catch.
