Concentrations of the flathead can be located in sandy areas between areas of reef and their location changes throughout the day and from day to day. Many types of rig have been trailed and used to catch flathead but the most successful are the drifting rigs with the sinker at the bottom and the hooks on traces further up the line. These traces are made by the use of a loop of about 20 centimetres (8 inches) and a blood dropper knot.

Fish bait is cut into strips about 7 centimetres long and 2 centimetres wide and must be fresh. The two best methods of attaching a fish bait is to either thread the bait onto the hook, exposing the barb at the end or to just push the hook through the fish once. The second method allows the fish to float and move in the current and presents as a much more attractive bait than the first method which is somewhat rigid. Some of the best fish baits are strips of yellowtail, mackerel, tailor and flathead.