Species guide
How to catch Dusky flathead
Platycephalus fuscus
brackishsaltwatergame fishPlatycephalidae
Dusky flathead is a popular game fish known for its elongated body and ambush hunting style. They inhabit shallow bays, estuaries, and sometimes freshwater, often blending into sandy or muddy bottoms. This species can grow up to 120 cm and offers an exciting challenge to anglers.
Where they live
Found mainly in shallow bays, estuaries, and inlets over mud, sand, and seagrass beds, ranging from intertidal zones to depths of 10-30 meters in Australia’s Pacific coast areas.
Typical size
Up to about 120 cm
What they eat
- small fish
- crustaceans
- other small aquatic animals
Best baits
- live baitfish
- prawns
- worms
Best lures
- soft plastic paddletails
- hard bodied minnows
- surface poppers
How to fish for them
- bait fishing on the bottom
- soft plastic lure casting and retrieving
- trolling near structure
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