MALLACOOTA FLATTY CLASSIC : October 24–26 2025

If you’re going to try to catch a big dusky flathead, Mallacoota has to be near the top of the list. The estuary has that perfect mix of shallow flats, deeper channels, and different bays and nooks to hide out of the wind. So when the 2025 Flatty Classic popped up on socials, I finally decided to stop talking about it and have a crack calling on the boys at Taco Tackle to fill a crew.

The funny part? We’d never done it before. Not the competition, not Mallacoota, not even properly targeted duskies. When we told a few of the other competitors and the organisers the night before and at the Friday-morning briefing, we got some raised eyebrows and a couple of laughs, the kind that said “good luck, fellas.” We were definitely the underdogs, but that was half the fun, throw yourself in, back your instincts, learn on the fly, and see what happens.

The majority of my fishing over the last few years had always been based around offshore, chasing tuna, kings, snapper and gummy's to name a few. But with the new Northbank 520 centre console, I've been spending more time exploring inshore systems and estuaries. And loving it.

kane and jake preparing their fishing tackle in the Northbank 520 centre console boat

FRIDAY - Finding our feet

The first morning kicked off under clear skies and light wind, Mallacoota looked like a postcard. We launched early, full of optimism, caffeine and a bacon and egg roll put on by the team at "Scallywags", scanning the edges for any sign. The system looked incredible, bait flicking on the flats, whiting darting around the weed, and skippy jumping around on the banks.

By around 8:30 a.m. I was on the board with a cracking 66 cm dusky taking a 6th Sense "Provoke" a proper Mallacoota welcome for a first-timer. Not long after, another in the high 40s came aboard, and the ice was broken and the nervous tension from the first hour or so was gone.

The Friday afternoon session saw us ticking away at a few more fish, slowly building momentum. By day’s end, the bag was six strong, capped off by a standout 76 cm model landed by Jake in the early afternoon on a 3” Party Minnow. This fish really set up the trip and our final bag entered into the comp.

Jake holding a 76cm flathead caught on a 6th sense party minnow and juggle jig head

SATURDAY - A Divisional Win

Day Two was the big one, a full day’s fishing with a quick BBQ lunch stop for a half-hour catch-up and feed. By then we’d found some rhythm, picking at fish early before the bite slowed mid-morning.

The comp atmosphere was unreal. Every boat you passed had a wave, a cheer, or a story to tell . When the boats all pulled in for lunch, the smell of snags and the banter started flying, it was mateship in its purest form.

There was a divisional section running within the comp , three teams paired together to form a “mega team.” We were grouped with Rowdy Floyd’s (who went on to win the overall competition) and Flattys Need Love Too. Between the three of us, we managed to take out the top spot and a win in the divisional category, with all teams sitting inside or close to the top 10 when it was awarded on the Saturday night. A massive team result that capped off an already awesome day on the water.

The fishing stayed steady, personally adding a pair of 61 cm fish in the morning and Jake contributing a 59 cm to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Kane holding a big flathead caught on a tackle house contact node at mallacoota

Photo of a flat caught in Mallacoota and measured on an Irukandji Brag Mat

SUNDAY - Short and Sweet

Sunday’s half-day session wrapped things up with the wet weather gear on. A few more quality fish hit the net, Dan with a 57 cm, Personally adding a 54 cm and 49 cm, and another 51 cm from Dan to finish off what had been a near-perfect weekend.

We’d hovered inside the top 10 for the first two days and were still sitting in 8th by mid-morning on the final day, but a few late fish from other teams saw us slide down to 11th overall. No complaints though, for a bunch of guys that had never fished Mallacoota (or even properly chased duskies before), it was a result we were stoked with.

To put the quality of the fishing in perspective, the biggest fish of the comp went 90 cm (landed by our divisional team mates in team Rowdy Floyd's) , with at least five others measuring in the 80s, seriously impressive numbers that show just how good Mallacoota’s big flathead fishery is right now and it should only get better in coming months.

Packing up, we were tired but happy. For first-timers, it was the perfect blend of learning, laughs, new relationships and some amazing fish.

Dan holding a flathead in mallacoota which ate and devoured a Nomad Dozer

Final Bag (10 Biggest Fish)

76 cm — ANGLER : Jake Spence
66 cm — ANGLER : Kane Reardon
63 cm — ANGLER : Jake Spence
61 cm — ANGLER : Kane Reardon
61 cm — ANGLER : Kane Reardon
59 cm — ANGLER : Jake Spence
57 cm — ANGLER : Dan Spence
54 cm — ANGLER : Kane Reardon
51 cm — ANGLER : Dan Spence
49 cm — ANGLER : Kane Reardon

flathead which fell victim to a 6th sense 6" trace swimbait

Tackle & Takeaways

Our gear was built for versatility ,mainly 7 ft approx rods in the 6–12 lb range paired with 2500 size reels and spooled with 12–16 lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. A baitcaster setup also came into play for working heavier glide and swim baits across the flats and deeper edges. The different options allowed us all to have something different in the water at any given time and see what worked.

The standout lure for the weekend was the Tackle House “Node”, twitched steadily across the shallows to draw those aggressive reaction bites. The Irukandji “Sicarios” and "Mega Prawns" also did plenty of damage, alongside the ever-reliable Party Minnow and a mix of subtle glide and swim baits that helped tempt the larger fish holding off the drop-offs.

The lesson? Mallacoota can reward persistence and experimentation. Whether you’re a comp regular or rocking up for your first crack at a dusky, there’s always something to learn, and plenty of good people to help and learn it with.

Mallacoota delivered everything it’s known for, big flatties, and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back. For us, the Flatty Classic wasn’t just a comp, it was the start of a new obsession and it wont be long before i personally go again.

A huge shout-out goes to the crew who created and ran the Flatty Classic, their first ever event and an absolute standout, loved by all. And a special mention to the local legends at Scallywags, who hosted the festivities and presentations each night, cooked up incredible feeds, and even supplied a courtesy limo for those keen to enjoy a few drinks after the day was done. Mallacoota hospitality at its finest.

Kane holding a flathead he caught at mallacoota on a tackle house contact node