Flicking for Harbour Flathead

Sydney Harbour is a strong lure fishery for dusky flathead, with sand flats, silty bays, moorings, rock edges, pylons, channels and holes all holding fish. The key is moving with the tide and keeping your lure close to the bottom.

This is a lure-only guide and the main pattern is simple: fish shallow sand or sit close to deeper water. Rising tides push fish onto flats, while the end of the run-out and start of the run-in concentrate them on drains, edges and drop-offs.

Spring and summer are best, but flathead are available year-round. In winter, slow down and work deeper holes, bridge scours and channel edges.

Lower Harbour

The lower-harbour suits anglers who want cleaner water, deeper edges and a chance at a better fish. Camp Cove has sand, squid, baitfish and shore access. Spring Cove has a deep hole near Collins Beach and can be a good refuge from northerly wind. The water between Clifton Gardens and Georges Head offer deep water and holes that can hold flathead in the warmer months.

At Camp Cove, fish the beach ends and the sand-to-reef edge with 3 inch plastics on 1/8 to 1/4 oz heads. At Spring Cove and Georges Head, step up to 4 inch plastics, 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig-heads and 60 to 80 mm soft vibes. Let the lure hit bottom before each lift; flathead here are often lying below the bait rather than cruising the shallows.

Bradleys Head is better when boat traffic is light. From shore, long casts are needed to clear the near-shore weed patches. From a boat, keep your drift wide and cast back towards the sandy breaks. Avoid southerly-exposed water and keep clear of ferries, commercial traffic and naval restrictions around Clifton Gardens…