Yowie

Keeping a bag of fish, especially a larger fish, over the side of a boat or kayak, will be a shark attractant in some locations.

Shows you don't need to spend a lot on gear, to pull out a few nice fish.

Did you really need some "help" there Bruce? There were a few fish to entertain the crowd, better than not much at all, and everyone caught something. I will have a "helper" in a couple of years, he will be told he needs to learn how to fish by his father (son-in-law, who also is learning how to fish). I was taught by my father, grand father and great grand father, so I guess I learnt something. Dave.

For the best I.D. a side-on photo is much easier than a head shot. At this stage. it looks like one of the Smurfs without a hat.

There are fish there, just have to find them.

It was a good feed Bruce, filleted, bread crumbed and pan fried. Shared the feed with the family, never complaints about whiting. Dave.

Platycephalus longispinnus. According to different authors of books, "grows to 34cm", "grows to 38cm." The biggest I have pulled up is 32cm, though most are around the 20 to 25cm mark. No legal size for them, have caught them at 20cm with fat roe so obviously breed from a small size. I have eaten a few of the larger ones, and the fillets are rather tasty. This species is very common at times, grabbing large baits meant for the bigger blue spot and tiger flatties. The fillets of the spikies are a great bait for other flatties in the deeper water, the fillets are tough and can hook several fish before needing replacing. The spikes on the side of the head are very long, hence the nickname 'Spikey,' and I have suffered a number of puncture wounds to the fingers. The dorsal fins have a mild poison that affects my fingers when spiked, with a mild pain lasting half and hour or so. In reality, Spikey flatties are a pain in the arse to remove from the hook.

Fished the deep water near Lilli Pilli at first light. First pillie out produced the tailor, but none after that. A just legal reddie, then the pickers for a short while, then everything gone. A live yakka just had swimming practice. Headed to Maianbar, pumped some nippers and waded in knee deep water for the whiting until the tide moved in too much, so hopped into the boat and drifted for nothing else, hardly a bite after that. Some nice whiting fillets will be pan fried tonight, so no complaints there. Merry Christmas to all.

What, boys only and you are eating T-bones? Looks like a great place to visit, plenty of fish to cap it off. Great work.

Nice jew from the beach, The flattie look like a sand flathead.

One feed tonight, another feed in 2 days, and they taste rather nice. They are in the shallower water during winter and spring, but move further out in summer, may be to find the cooler water. Most of those I caught were still in roe.

Around 30 to 35 metres, I'm guessing, as I don't have a depth gauge on my tinny (I just look at markings on the shoreline - trees, headlands, etc)

Thank you all for the comments.

I cook mine the same day of catching, and they will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. 2 days is not a problem to keep them fresh, no need to freeze so long as the fridge is cold.

Nice reds, sounds like a great day out.

Seeing as some others (including Bruce) have been pulling out a few flatties from Bate Bay, thought I should give it a go as well. Pulled out my 10, but it took some time. A few undersized blue spots and many spikies taking the baits as well. Biggest about 43cm. The flatties were better on the edge of Bate Bay, very little wind or swell, but a southerly drift from the current. Pillies jumping about at times chasing micro bait, Put a lure under the pillies a few times but nothing there.

Good eating size there Scratchie.

Nice catch there Bruce.

Great fish on fly.

Good sized fish for the young bloke.

Thank you Fab.

Nice catch before work,

There are a few about, just have to be in the right spot at the right time. The jewies cruise about along the drop offs, so are on the move most of the time. Fished the same spot 2 weeks ago for nothing but pickers. They might be in Gymea Bay today, Lilli Pilli tomorrow. Dave.

Have fished if for a long time.

Thanks Scratchie.