How to

GALLERY: Big flathead in the shallows on the Mid North Coast

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A FEW weeks before Christmas, the guys at Bar Crusher notified us that there was a brand new 2019 model 535XS centre console that was available to use over the holiday period. Needless to say, I was quick to jump on the opportunity!

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Over the past few years, the Christmas/New Year holiday period has produced some monster flatties on the Mid North Coast of NSW. After being bitten by the big flathead in shallow water craze, I was keen to put the boat to good use chasing these enigmatic fish.

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The demo rig was ready to fish – perfect for working your way up-river, hunting big flathead in the shallows!

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Preferring the high tide and clearer water, we concentrated our efforts around sandflats adjacent to deeper channels.

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A variety of lures will work for big flathead (and smaller fish, too) in shallow water, including large topwater pencils like the Bassday Sugarpen 120.

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There’s no denying, slow-rolling big paddletail soft plastics is hard to beat when getting these big fish to bite in shallow water!

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Big flathead are impressive fish up close and it’s easy to see why they don’t mind a big meal!

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Several fish over 80cm were pulled over the side of the boat on this trip. Targeting big fish in the shallows on bigger lures definitely proved effective.

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The new 535XS is well suited to estuary and inshore fishing, but is easily capable of heading offshore on the right days.

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 For more information on Bar Crusher’s 535XS: www.barcrusher.com.au

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