Rats and crocs

[Beaver]

Hi Guys

Went out to the Fads early Saturday only to find rats and no dollies. Hooked a few rats with yakkas but got sick of them so headed back closer to shore. Did a few drifts just off the heads for flatties. Got two smaller ones which were released, decided to send out a yakka to the bottom as we do sometimes. About 10 mins in my rod buckled over and I was on something decent... got it to the boat and my mate thought it was a stingray or something, when it got closer we realised it was a bloody big flattie, managed to stuff around with the net before finally landing it. I didn't know this type of flattie got so big we usually get them max 55cm.

The fish was deep hooked and wasn't in good condition so decided to keep it rather then release it only for it to die. Plus it was late in the day and the only keeper we had. Cooked it up on the barbie and was great given its size, nice moist fillets.

Can someone confirm it's an eastern blue spot?

Went around 77/78cms

Cheers

Beaver

[Basil D]

A photo of the tip of the tail would have given us the id we needed

[Rafinx]

Mate I would of done the same, if it was in shocking condition, but generally if I ever got one 70 + id release. good stuff tho, you dont see them everyday.

[Beaver]

A photo of the tip of the tail would have given us the id we needed

I did take one on another camera, I will post it when I get a chance.

[james7]

It can at times be difficult to identify whether it is an Eastern Blue Spotted Flathead, or a Dusky Flathead because the general colouring of both may be very similar.

The best way is to compare the caudal fin.

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead caudal fin

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead may be a light to dark sandy colour. They have scattered blue spots, and a series of elongated dark blotches on the tail.

Dusky Flathead

Dusky Flathead Caudal Fin

Dusky Flathead. Their colour varies from a light sandy colour with brown spots and blotches to dark brown/black with white spots. They have a distinctive black spot on their caudal fins which may also be "bluish" in colour. Dark bars are often visible across the rear of the body.

The pectoral fins are also different.

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead Pectoral fin

Dusky Flathead Pectoral Fin

Cheers

Peter

PS Beaver, I'm fairly sure yours is a Dusky. It has the dark bands near the tail and the pectoral fins look like a dusky's.

It's an excellent fish! Congratulations!

Edited January 24, 2011 by peterS

[masterfisho]

Mate thats one great flathead well done

[Beaver]

It can at times be difficult to identify whether it is an Eastern Blue Spotted Flathead, or a Dusky Flathead because the general colouring of both may be very similar.

The best way is to compare the caudal fin.

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead caudal fin

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead may be a light to dark sandy colour. They have scattered blue spots, and a series of elongated dark blotches on the tail.

Dusky Flathead

Dusky Flathead Caudal Fin

Dusky Flathead. Their colour varies from a light sandy colour with brown spots and blotches to dark brown/black with white spots. They have a distinctive black spot on their caudal fins which may also be "bluish" in colour. Dark bars are often visible across the rear of the body.

The pectoral fins are also different.

Eastern Bluespotted Flathead Pectoral fin

Dusky Flathead Pectoral Fin

Cheers

Peter

PS Beaver, I'm fairly sure yours is a Dusky. It has the dark bands near the tail and the pectoral fins look like a dusky's.

Thanks very much for the informative reply Peter. I think you might be right being a dusky. Only reason i thought it was a bluespot was because we got a lot of small bluespots in the same area over sand and gravel.

Cheers