Flattie Bites

Hello Folks,
Just wondering how you all deal with flattie bites. When I get the two or three rattles on the tip I would then wind down and strike. I hit a few but most times connect with nothing. Should I be leaving these bites for longer ? If so, how long ? I am usually fishing off a beach, casting maybe 30 yards at most, hook sizes 2 or 1 usually.
Any advice gratefully received.
SE

Hi There,

There are many methods to ensure a flattie takes the bait, striking is certainly the last thing you should do where flaties are concerned. Firstly you should be leaving it longer, 18 Mins for worm baits and even leaving it for an additional 5 mins after the initial bite tends to produce the double and treble shots. Flattie fishing is an art on its own and factors such as weather and location will then bring you onto the type of trace, for example if you are still missing them in a semi-rough sea even after leaving it for a while then obviously it could be your hooks are too big, your snoods are too short or even your hook is not exposed and the flattie can spit your bait back out which happens a lot!!. Anyway try all these variations, ensure you try to fish light for them to enjoy the sport more, calm seas-light shortish 30-40cms snoods - stormy seas- heavy longer snoods. Tight Lines, Rob.

Hi There,

There are many methods to ensure a flattie takes the bait, striking is certainly the last thing you should do where flaties are concerned. Firstly you should be leaving it longer, 18 Mins for worm baits and even leaving it for an additional 5 mins after the initial bite tends to produce the double and treble shots. Flattie fishing is an art on its own and factors such as weather and location will then bring you onto the type of trace, for example if you are still missing them in a semi-rough sea even after leaving it for a while then obviously it could be your hooks are too big, your snoods are too short or even your hook is not exposed and the flattie can spit your bait back out which happens a lot!!. Anyway try all these variations, ensure you try to fish light for them to enjoy the sport more, calm seas-light shortish 30-40cms snoods - stormy seas- heavy longer snoods. Tight Lines, Rob.

Are you saying leave the worms out for 18-23 mins before rebaiting or wait that long after you see a bite before winding in!

If you get a bite from anything up to 12 mins with a worm bait then leave it for that long if your confident of doubles/trebles, 4-5 mins after an initial bite should secure a catch of a single fish.

Hello Robert,
Thanks for that information, food for thought. I can see how my instant striking was a bit pointless. It seems to be a case of fish hooking themselves against the weight of the lead ? Will sit on my hands for a bit longer in the future.
SE

I know of many people who leave the rod if the see a rattle to prevent them from the temptation of striking to early. This is especially the case if you have more than one hook (which is typical for this type of fishing). Flounder tend to Travel in groups and one fishing pulling on a hook often attracks others. Ask any match man. The founder walk or shuffle is a common tactic.
Just a quick responce about worms. Its depends upon where you fish but normally you would leave worm baits out for less time than peeler crab as depending upon crab activity you could be fishing without bait for 10 min if your were to leave lug sitting in an estuary for 20 min. Any way be patient when flounder fishing, they are greedy buggers and will usually hook themselves, striking is not a good idea or winding in like a manic as many fish can be lightly hooked and dropped in the last 10 yards.