Expect the unexpected
THE unusual fish captures have continued over the past week, with some good specimens being landed all around Tasmania’s coastline.
Off Bridport, a party of anglers managed some 5kg snapper on inshore reefs.
Amberjacks have again put in an appearance.
Like all seriola species, amberjacks are an incredibly powerful fish that deserve the respect of all who chase them.
They are an aggressive fish that will readily take most offerings and can be generally found around most southern deep-water Australian wrecks CARL HYLAND and reef systems.
Very similar in appearance to kingfish, amberjacks are a schooling fish and can average about 6kg. However, the Australian record is 39.5kg.
As a sports fish, they’re up there alongside kingfish, Samson fish and the like.
As a fish for the table, they are OK when juvenile or when fresh, but they don’t freeze well.
Like kingfish, they love structures and will often head straight for the nearest pylon or anchor chain as soon as they are hooked.
This species loves fresh baits, so a pilchard, squid or octopus bait floated down a berley trail would likely be hammered by either this fish or a kingfish.
I note that these fish are very dominant in Western Australia, so it’s good to see specimens down along our East Coast, even if they are juveniles.
I encourage anybody wanting confirmation of any species caught that can’t be identified to get scientific support from the people at Redmap.
It’s not often you can get positive identification from a scientist or get the opportunity to talk to one, but the “guys and gals” here do an awesome job and have helped many Tasmanian anglers out over the past few years.
I eagerly await the latest news on fish being caught around our coastline because one doesn’t know what’s going to be landed next.
A party of anglers fishing from the beach at Bellingham in the state’s North had a pleasant surprise last week, with the capture of a shovelsized blue-spot flathead.
I’m unsure what the bait was, but big fish seem to be caught around Pipers River mouth at Bellingham and Weymouth at this time of the year.
Another species to get excited about around the Weymouth area and right through to Bridport and Eddystone in tidal pools are large prawns, which often come into rock pools to feed.
With a flounder light or bright torch, you can get a few by using a landing net with fine mesh.
Place the net behind the prawns as they shoot backwards with their propulsion system.
I do cheat sometimes by placing a bit of berley in rock pools. This not only attracts prawns but also squid and even some good-sized sardines, which make for awesome bait for larger species.
The rock pools around the beaches at Lulworth are also good for this method.
Arthurs Lake is continuing to fish extremely well. I also had a good report from Brumbies Creek, with some nice brown trout being caught from near the top weir on Wonder Wobblers.