Luderick are still around

[stormy]

Haven't been writing for a few weeks, but still going out each Monday for a few hours fishing off the rocks. Speaking with other long time regular blackfish anglers, we are agreed that this is the best season for 30 years - at least in the area we fish. Had a session on the coast a few weeks back and I thought it was going rather slow until I lifted the bag. Two hours and I had 11 big fish. Four of us on the platform and we totalled 36 fish in that time, so my perception was a little off. Inside waters have also kept the numbers up. Last four sessions have given me an average of between 8 and 14 fish, all in a 2-3 hour effort.

Went out yesterday and landed 9 fish and again today for 10 fish from the same spot. My mate John got 9 and Harry got 5. Not bad for consistent numbers. I keep four fish most times and release the others, much to the chagrine of the bait fishos in the vivinity. Kept two today and just finished them for dinner. Skinned fillets rolled in four, egg and Panko crumbs then fried in a knob of butter with steamed veggies. Delicious. The fish have still been largely males, full of milt, but a few females roed up are also in the catches. They should slow down any day now, but have provided me with a lot of fun and a good feed for months. Been getting a lot of hooks bitten off. I suspect tailer to be the culprits in a few cases. Had one snap at the flouro red plastic tube at the top of the float last week. Snipped the line as neatly as a pair of scissors and I watched my float go out in the wash, disappear in a fast 'down' and never saw it again. Days have been glorious and the water is crystal clear and warm down south of Sydney. Get out and get a few if you have the chance.

[Onajewagain]

Hey, can I ask, as I am a novice blackfisho, why do people keep everything they bring up, and release them when finished the session? Are they like trevs in that if you release them they will all take off? Or is it a "choice of the catch" thing?

[stormy]

The fish are kept in a pool which is refreshed with water each time the swell washes in. I like to choose which fish I want to keep. The others are released and seem as healthy (if not healthier) than when they are landed. I don't think it matters if you want to throw them in as you land them, as lots are dropped during a session and it doesn't appear to put the others off.

[Onajewagain]

Thanks for that. I have often wondered but didn't know why. Unfortunate for me, I can only choose my dinner at the fish shop at the moment. I'm hard up for time to get out lately.

[luderick -angler]

Your going all right there Stormy, I don't think they will slow up had a look at some catch records from Kurnell in 1992/1993 and again in 2002/2003 I kept and they were thick right into February if anything I think your run my well cotinue . Any word from inside the Port as I may head down on the weekend.

Cheers

[stormy]

Yes. That's where Monday and yesterdays catches came from.

[luderick -angler]

Want to meet up on Sunday? And is it a dry feet spot (still need to keep the foot dry!!!) You heard any news from around Rathanes and Warrumbul Shore? I heard Gymea Bay baths was firing as well