← Field Guide
Southern Sand Flathead
Platycephalus bassensis
An ambush predator with sweet, low-fat fillets — the everyday favourite.
Year-round, best in summer
From boat to bench
Flathead lie half-buried in the sand waiting for prey. Local anglers drift the bay with soft-plastic lures or bait rigs, bouncing them along the bottom. The boats work in close to keep the catch fresh and graded straight off the deck.
Health benefit
Mild, low-fat white fish high in protein and vitamin B12.
Easy Recipe
Crumbed Flathead Tails with Chips & Tartare
Serves 4·35 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 flathead tails
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 egg beaten, plain flour for dusting
- Oil for shallow frying, lemon wedges
- 6 large potatoes, cut into chips
- 1/2 cup whole-egg mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp baby capers, chopped
- 2 cornichons, finely diced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley, squeeze of lemon
Method
- 01Soak chips, dry well, fry at 140°C for 6 minutes; lift and rest.
- 02Stir mayo, capers, cornichons, parsley and lemon together for the tartare; chill.
- 03Bring oil to 180°C and fry chips again until golden; drain and salt.
- 04Set up flour, egg and panko in three bowls.
- 05Dust each tail in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko.
- 06Shallow-fry in hot oil for 2 minutes each side until golden; drain and salt.
- 07Plate flathead with chips, tartare and lemon wedges.
