longtail

Mantis shrimp are much tastier than lobster, popular in Asia, not seen them here. I reckon spanner crabs are a close 2nd and have just the right balance of sweetness and flavour. Coconut (land) crabs from the south pacific islands are the shiznit also.

Hey Rod, Check PM DS

At least the extra money the SA govt levies isn't being used against you to lock out the fishery. That will be my reality in March. 97,000 hectares of primo estuary, rock, beach and offshore island/headland will be off limits. The Pro's will be forced to smaller inshore grounds which will fish out rapidly. There goes everything else. Freakin Marine Parks. If conservation was the TRUE agenda, (rather than evil Labor sucking green butt for preferences) surely licence revenue should be used to create/restore habitat. OK lock out the mangroves & Grey Nurse zones, use the rest to create artificial reefs. how much could it cost to get a barge,truck, some busted up storm channel pipe and some volunteer muscle? Hello green zealots, Lake Macquarie? The thing that really upsets me is that I, and all licensed NSW rec anglers sponsored this. We were deceived & I fell for it /rant ends back to the topic I used the ramp at Mann's pt Greenwich aplenty before moving up here to Pt Stephens. One lane, hazards on either side, concrete's all busted up, rock walls on either side of the waterline. nowhere to load/unload crew or gear. zero facilities. nasty nasty nasty shit. But I always had it all to myself so I launched there all the time. nothing like ur own private ramp even if it's fubar. If anyone wants it, I'm giving it away. Sydney does have shitty boat ramps compared to the rest of NSW. The four within 10 mins of me are tops.

Very small (pea-size) soldier crabs have a soft shell and baited 3 or 4 to a hook are a deadly bait for bream and especially thumper whiting. Worms will always catch more, but the lil soldiers will get you quality. Used soldiers a lot in Moreton & Tin Can bays many years ago with great success. Give em a go

Dave's right also the jaw is shorter & differently shaped to a breams, obvious when looked at head-on, not so obvious in profile photos, plus the goldish horizontal ribbons on it's flanks. Really good tucker if iced asap & a fish with a strong schooling instinct. Where there's one - a killer Fishraider report should follow !

Approximately what length was your lil friend, Mick ?