Flathead are one of the best species to learn soft plastics fishing on. They love sitting on edges, they eat off the bottom, and they’ll happily smash a well-presented plastic—especially on the sink.
This guide is a practical flathead plan: what to throw, how to rig it, how to fish it, and where to target.
Do soft plastics work for flathead?
Yes—soft plastics are one of the most effective lures for flathead because they can be worked along the bottom and paused to sink naturally. Flathead often hit on the drop as the lure flutters back down. Fish soft plastics around sand/weed edges, drop-offs, channels, and drains using a hop-and-pause retrieve and the lightest jighead that still maintains contact.
The best soft plastic types for flathead
You don’t need 20 different lures. Start with these:
1) Paddle tails
Reliable, easy, and they keep working even when your technique isn’t perfect.
2) Grubs (curl tails)
Great sink action. Often very effective on hop-and-pause.
3) Prawn profiles
Flathead love prawns. These shine around flats and edges, especially with longer pauses.
4) Jerkshads
Good when fish are following but not committing, or when you want a subtle baitfish look.
Best colors for flathead (simple)
Keep it simple:
- Natural/translucent in clear water
- Darker silhouette in dirty water / low light
If you’re unsure, start natural and fish it properly.
How to rig soft plastics for flathead
Flathead fishing usually means bottom contact, so jighead rigging is the default.
Key rules:
- rig it straight (crooked plastics spin)
- match hook size to lure profile
- choose jighead weight for contact, not for speed
Read: How to Rig a Soft Plastic on a Jighead (Step-by-Step)
What jighead weight for flathead?
Flathead are usually targeted on the bottom, often with wind/current involved.
Use the lightest weight that still lets you:
- reach bottom
- feel the lure
- detect bites on the sink
If you’re snagging heaps, you’re likely too heavy or dragging too much.
Read: Jighead Weight Guide for Soft Plastics (Simple Rules That Work)
The best retrieve for flathead: hop and pause
This is the flathead classic.
- Cast to the edge/flat
- Let it sink to bottom
- Hop it
- Pause and let it sink again
- Repeat
Flathead often eat during the pause as it sinks. Watch your line for ticks or sideways slides.
Read: Hop and Pause Retrieve for Soft Plastics (Bottom Bounce That Catches Fish)
Where to fish for flathead with soft plastics
Flathead love:
- sand/weed edges
- drop-offs
- channels and drains
- shallow flats near deeper water
- current lines that funnel bait
If you’re not getting bites, don’t just change lures—move to a better edge.
Read: Where to Cast Soft Plastics (Structure, Edges, and “High-Percentage Water”)
How to detect flathead bites (and hook up)
Flathead bites can be:
- a sharp tap
- a “weight” that suddenly appears
- the line moving sideways
Hookup rule: wind down until you feel weight, then lift firmly.
If you strike on slack, you’ll miss them.
Common flathead mistakes (and fixes)
Mistake: fishing too fast
Fix: slow down, longer pauses, keep it near bottom.
Mistake: jighead too heavy
Fix: go lighter, hop instead of drag.
Mistake: not fishing edges
Fix: stop casting to dead flats—fish the transition lines.
Mistake: not watching the line on the sink
Fix: treat the sink as the bite window.