donjuarez Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 hey all, A mate of mine managed to catch a juvenile golden snapper in the harbour yesterday of about 15-20cm which was safely thrown back to grow some more... Far from an expert, but I thought that these were only available in the the more northern/tropical waters? I recall a juvenile Cobia caught last year inside also, and a few months ago i also caught a zebra stiped 'aquarium' looking fish in middle harbour.. a cross between an angel fish and a batfish with a longish snout... what other uncommon fish have people come across lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinp Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 hey all, A mate of mine managed to catch a juvenile golden snapper in the harbour yesterday of about 15-20cm which was safely thrown back to grow some more... Far from an expert, but I thought that these were only available in the the more northern/tropical waters? I recall a juvenile Cobia caught last year inside also, and a few months ago i also caught a zebra stiped 'aquarium' looking fish in middle harbour.. a cross between an angel fish and a batfish with a longish snout... what other uncommon fish have people come across lately? Any pics, juvenile golden snapper are easily identified by a large dark spot near the tailfin area, hence they are refered to as fingermark until they grow then they are usually found on offshore reefs, I also believe they are a ralative of the mangrove jack, cheers Justin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 (edited) I wouldnt be too sure of it being a fingermark most likely it would be a moses perch which are commonly mistaken for fingermark and occasionally caught this far south Fingermark(lutjanis johnni) Moses perch(lutjanis russelli) Edited January 19, 2009 by The Iceman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjneville Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I've heard rumours over the years of Jacks in Queenscliff lagoon and Narra lake. The QL ones supposedly died off after a pesticide spill at the golf course upstream. Mind you, some scientsts have indicated Jacks could well extend their range south as water temps increase. There is an upside to global warming!! Bring on the jacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh88 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I've heard of fingermarks and jacks being caught a couple of times around the lagoon and narrabeen but not for a while. I've seen some really small moses perch around jettys but never caught one. Cobia do visit every now and then, there should be a few popping in with other sub-tropics around autumn time like samsons, amberjacks, spotted mackeral, frigates etc... One of my favourite times to fish autumn. Those stripy fish are quite common, plenty of little fish like that none of us know about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant180 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I have heard of Jacks being caught in the harbour, and i know of divers who know where there is a colony of Boarfish. Red Morwong are around in the harbour in surprising numbers, and great eating, but very rarely take a bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tan the fisherman Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 "and a few months ago i also caught a zebra stiped 'aquarium' looking fish in middle harbour.. a cross between an angel fish and a batfish with a longish snout" Hi josh - I have caught three of these - once at OMH and twice at South Head. All just after high tide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 We caught a juvenile cobes in pitwatter last summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donjuarez Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 I wouldnt be too sure of it being a fingermark most likely it would be a moses perch which are commonly mistaken for fingermark and occasionally caught this far south Fingermark(lutjanis johnni) Moses perch(lutjanis russelli) Defintely had the bright yellow fins, and the eyes of a squire... don't recall i it had the spot or not... is the spot on one or both sides? only looked at one side of the fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Spot on both sides of the fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Over the years I have got Jacks, Diamond trevelly and estuary cod out of the harbour. Only the jacks have been mature specimens the others have been juveniles. With the current transistion from the El Nino effects, which pushed warm currents closer, to the La Nina, I think northern species catches will be greatly reduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stricko4 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 We caught a juvenile cobes in pitwatter last summer. Saw a metre + cobia landed at Clifton this time last year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty d Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 my uncle reckons he caught a lobster on half a pilly and hook just outside the heads about 20 years ago, but he did drink alot and i dont believe him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew399 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Defintely had the bright yellow fins, and the eyes of a squire... don't recall i it had the spot or not... is the spot on one or both sides? only looked at one side of the fish What made you think it was a fingermark if it didnt have the fingermark spot? Would have been a dead give away I would have thought!! scotty d - I believe that story about the lobster there are a fair few of them around if you know where to look, alot of guys free dive for them There are also alot of red morwong in the harbour but i have heard they are crap eating, can any one verify?? Alot of spearers i know will only take one as a last resort... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigholio Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) 30 yrs ago myself & the other local kids used to make fairly regular catches of Estuary Cod in Middle Harbour at Bunny Rabbit's and the salt pan wrecks. They were not tiny juvies either, most around 2-5kg, clearly they were resident and breeding in local waters. I recall recently an article by Mr purple charter boat about a monster tackle thief that lives in said wreck and will dust you on any tackle class. hmmmmm Haven't seen a single cod since 1982 and never seen a Lutjanid in Sydney waters EDIT: prior to the dioxin pro ban lobster were trapped commercially in the Harbour for the live trade, very close to shore. Close enough I could chat with the guy at normal conversation level while he retrieved his trap with two very nice specimens inside Edited January 22, 2009 by Jigholio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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