Bait fishing for flathead?

[Tim399]

Hi guys im not sure where this question actually belongs in the forum, so move it elsewhere if you feel it fits.
Ive searched the forum for my answer but i couldnt find it (and the results for "flathead hook" came up with some 358 pages worth)

Ive entered myself in the pirtek comp (my first "comp" although i just want to get out and fish ), so i will be targeting flathead as ive never had a crack at bream. I have only fished lures for flathead and have no idea when it comes to bait tackle. Im keen to try my luck at bait fishing for flathead so my questions to you guys are:
1. What style hook do you guys use? Are circles no good on flathead?
2. What size seems to be good on your average sized flathead? (If i dont get a massive one id like a feed of good sized fish)
3. What type of rig is good for drifting with a drift chute out? Paternoster?

I apologise if these questions have already been asked, i had a search but didnt want to sift through 357 pages of information to find the 358th page had what i wanted

Thanks
Tim

[Seasherpa]

I personally don't use circles on the flatties, I usually run a bait rig on the drift while flicking plastics. Paternoster rig, I use pretty much the same setup as for whiting but shorter shank hooks. I think the weight bouncing on the sand bottom attracts them. In terms of bait squid, pippi and pilly all work provided you can get them past the micro pinkies! Don't stress too much about hook size as the flatties have bucket mouths and the tiny ones often swallow lures bigger than themselves.

[joffarob]

I use paternoster rigs with small circles and find they work well, I've caught micro flatties all the way up to 50cm flatties on them, I like the smaller hooks because sometimes I get whiting as a by-catch. Just remember if you haven't use circles before not to strike let the fish set the hook.

[shane]

I'd go a paternoster with say 1/0 or 2/0 circles.

Have a search of some of Smish's posts for tips, he's a bit of a master at bagging flatties on the drift.

[Tim399]

Thanks for the speedy replies fellas, the sinker bouncing along the sand theory makes sense to me. Ill try some circles and the other style of hook and see what works for me on the day. Ill check out smish's posts now

Thanks again
Tim

[laneends]

I use paternosters with longish length to sinker, so bottom hook doesn't drag on bottom or wrap around sinker. Then I use a #2/0 circle on bottom hook and #6 circle on upper hook. Either hook will catch flatties, smaller hook can pick other by catch. if micro pinkies are plaguing you use two larger hooks. I also use 20lb line through to the 3 way swivels and 10lb (dont need these rating, its just what i have, just make terminals lighter than main) to each hook and sinker. so if you snag up you only loose respective hook or sinker. I use premade leaders attached to main with a snap, so I can change to a spare rig and keep fishing when I get break offs. Then re rig broken leader at leisure. Dont use pyramid sinkers they will weed up and snag too easy. I use bean sinkers with line fed through to snap under so I can add extra bomb sinker if necc.

If its not too rough I drift sideways with chute in middle, rod out front., middle and back. Plus SP rod out the other side into drift direction. Net flatties in water as they jump off hooks easier once out of water. Lip grips to avoid being spiked.

If you find too many rods with paternosters causes too many tangles, any rig eg running sinker will do. moving from spot to spot with rigged paternosters can tangle with sinkers swinging.

For baits any regulars will catch flatties. Squid tenticles on the smaller circles act like SPs

[Fishingmad]

My favourite bait is sauries the flatties live it also I use the whiting flashers rigs with the long shank hooks that can be bought from rig master tackle

[cheaterparts]

My favourite bait is sauries the flatties live it also I use the whiting flashers rigs with the long shank hooks that can be bought from rig master tackle

although sauries are good my favourite flatty bait is flatty -- pretty good snapper bait to

[Digger]

I drift using a running sinker as Flathead are generally caught on the bottom hook of a paternoster, they feed close to the bottom.

Bluebait or prawn work well!

[Timi200]

Blue bait works beat for me, but very hard ti fish with bait this time of the year, micro pinkies are in force