The onslaught of early summer temperatures has bought good numbers of healthy-sized flathead into our waters. Whether you’re a bait fisho or you enjoy flicking lures it’s time to get your flattie gear out for some serious lizard action!

I have been putting in some time on the water in preparation for the Blue Fin Gold Coast Flathead Classic, which has seen me looking for a few new spots and revisiting some old favourites.

Something that has surprised me is there has been quite a bit of sand shifting and changes to banks around my favourite hunting territory at Jumpinpin.

The big rains from earlier in the year have seen banks slip away and trees fall to create new snaggy areas. The mouth of Swan Bay has changed quite dramatically, but don’t fear, this area is still fishing well with both good-size flathead as well as jew being caught on big plastics.

Many boaties have been caught unawares by the big sand bank sitting out from Swan Bay so keep an eye out for the waves breaking across the top of it on a low tide.

Be aware of the boundaries for the Moreton Bay Marine Park Green Zones at the mouth of Swan and the mouth of Duck Creek too. I have seen a few people push the rules over the last few weeks. The warning period is now over so fishos can expect hefty fines and personally I would rather spend my hard earned cash on fishing gear!

We have been boating good numbers of flatties in our sessions. Heaps of smaller rats have been keenly taking big lures and while the bigger fish have been fewer in numbers we have noticed a gradual increase in size from week to week.

We have been mixing up our approach between fishing quite light, almost bream style with a 3-4lb leader and smaller plastics such as the 2” Gulp Prawn to a heavier rig with stronger leaders 8-10lb and bigger plastics such as the 4” Gulp Swimming Mullet.

As the flathead numbers increase we will up our gear size to be sure we are not out gunned by one of the big girls that will be around in numbers in September and October.

As well as flathead, there has been a great variety of fish species boated including bream, squire, whiting, flounder, pike, tailor, queenies and a welcome by-catch on recent outings has been a few school jew.

Jew seem quite partial to a well-presented plastic and they also should show in greater numbers and sizes this month. Remember the increase in legal size for jew is now 75cm so you will have to wait to catch a big one before you can take it home for a feed.

I’m looking forward to fishing the Flathead Classic, which is a fantastic event run by the Gold Coast Sports Fishing Club from Wednedsday 30 September to Saturday 3 October.

The comp is one of the best, value for money tournaments around, as all prizes, including the boats, are given away based on a random lucky draw, regardless of the number of fish on the score sheet. Plus everyone gets a great team bag containing lures and accessories provided by various sponsors as well as a tournament shirt.

Some great sponsors have come on board for the event including Blue Fin, Evinrude, Big Chilli Coolers, Atomic and many others getting behind the tournament once again. This is a must-fish event, so get your mates together and let the flatties begin!

For more information about the Gold Coast flathead classic visit http://www.flatheadclassic.com.au.