Flat and Furious: Mastering the Art of Flounder Fishing in Australian Waters

By ReproBaits Tackle

Few fish test a light-tackle angler’s finesse like the humble flounder. These flat, camouflaged hunters lie buried in the sand, ambushing passing prey with lightning-fast strikes. They’re often overshadowed by their larger cousin, the flathead — yet for those who know their habits, flounder are one of Australia’s most rewarding estuary catches.

And when it comes to fooling these stealthy bottom-dwellers, finesse is everything. That’s where ReproBaits’ precision-designed soft plastics and jig heads come into play.

Understanding the Flounder’s Game Plan

Flounder are ambush predators, perfectly evolved for stealth. They bury themselves into sandy or muddy bottoms, eyes just above the surface, waiting for prawns, baitfish, or small crustaceans to pass overhead. Because they’re so low and still, the key to success isn’t speed — it’s subtlety.

In fact, most seasoned anglers agree: slow retrieves, long pauses, and bottom contact are the difference between a quiet session and a personal best.

“Flounder are slow and deliberate hunters,” says Anthony Campbell, an estuary regular from the NSW Central Coast. “If you’re working a lure too fast, you’re simply fishing past them.”

The Perfect Match: Soft Plastics That Stay in the Strike Zone

When targeting flounder, your presentation must live on the bottom. Enter the ReproBaits Bullet Prawn — a small, compact soft plastic that perfectly mimics the flick and pause of a prawn or shrimp trying to escape. Its slim, streamlined profile and tight vibration trigger predatory instincts without scaring wary fish in clear or shallow water.

Pairing this lure with a Dred Ned Jig Head is a match made in estuarine heaven. The Dred Ned’s design allows your lure to rest tail-up on the sand, just like a prawn at rest — a visual cue that’s almost irresistible to a flounder lying in ambush. A few gentle rod lifts or subtle twitches are all it takes to make that plastic dance naturally along the bottom.

“The Dred Ned keeps your lure in the zone longer,” explains Russell Vigar, a South Coast lure enthusiast. “You can move it in tiny hops or drag it slowly — that’s exactly what triggers those bottom-hugging fish.”

Slow and Low: The Ideal Retrieve

When chasing flounder, slower is almost always better. Try these steps:

1. Cast and let it settle — count a few seconds after your lure hits the water to ensure it’s resting on the bottom. You can feel a slight tick when it hits bottom.

2. Two small hops — lift the rod tip gently to make your soft plastic flutter and kick.

3. Pause for 3–5 seconds — this is often when the strike comes.

4. Repeat the slow drag — keep contact with the lure, but resist the urge to overwork it.

If you feel a bump but no hook-up, don’t reel in immediately. Flounder often swipe, miss, and come back for another go. Drop the rod tip, let the lure settle, and prepare for the second strike. Set your drag to soft and make gentle hook sets.

Best Colours and Conditions

Flounder thrive in sandy estuaries, tidal flats, and the edges of seagrass beds from Queensland to Victoria. Opt for natural, muted lure colours in clear water — think Sand Shrimp, Green Pumpkin, or Whitebait Glow. On overcast days or in turbid conditions, brighter hues like Pink Prawn or Gold Flake stand out better.

Many anglers report top results around slack tide, when the current slows and flounder reposition to feed. Light 6–10lb fluorocarbon leader keeps the presentation stealthy.

Tackle and Setup

• Rod: 7-foot Bream Reaper spinning rod

• Reel: 2500 size

• Line: 6–8lb braid

• Leader: 6–10lb fluorocarbon

• Lures: Bullet Prawn, Sea Bug, Bottom Bug, or half a Mushi

• Jig Head: Dred Ned 5g for shallow flats

Keep your drag light — flounder often hold the lure before committing. A gentle hook set followed by steady pressure will keep them pinned.

The Quiet Challenge

Flounder fishing rewards patience, precision, and presentation. It’s not about covering water fast — it’s about understanding the fish’s rhythm and staying in its line of sight. When that subtle “tap” comes and the rod loads up, it’s a reminder that mastery isn’t about force — it’s about finesse.

So next time you’re working the flats at dawn or dusk, slow down. Keep that Bullet Prawn tight to the sand, and let the Dred Ned do its work. Because down there, buried beneath the sand, a flounder’s watching — waiting for your lure to make its move.