Blackfish Success at Windang

[aeb870]

So I have finally landed my first legal catch while intentionally targeting them. Thanks to this forum, I have been able to obtain the information i needed to finally have a decent attempt at targeting blackfish.

For weeks now I have been ready to fish for them but simply couldn't get my hands on greenweed especially after Dean's B&T had shutdown. A few locals would tell me about all these random places to collect the weed but when I got there I couldn't find any weed, especially floating on the water as I was told. I finally managed to find weed growing sparsely off the rocks and after a good 40 mins I was able to collect a handful.

Got onto my first legal blackfish on Saturday, and lost a few. On Sunday I was only fishing for 20mins and managed 2 legal fish and threw back under 2 undersized. All caught in Lake Illawarra opposite the bowling club.

Great fun on light tackle. I filleted them based on the advise that it should taste nice, and it really did. However as it hit the pan, the smell was quiet strong throughout the house. I am being told I should have skinned them to eliminate the smell, is this true?

Again, I really appreciate some of the advice given on these forums.

[leonardgid]

when ever i have a big fish fry up for a number of people i always do it in the back yard, i picked up an old stainless electric fry pan at Salvos for $10 and this way there's no strong smells through out the house for 2 or 3 days , as for skinless fish some times i like the crispy skin and all that omega 3 fats that you will find under the skin of fish,........ just an idea.

[aeb870]

I normally do fry almost anything outside, this was pan fried so the chance of frying it outside wasn't really there.

Thanks anyway, maybe next time I will try it deep fried and see how that taste is also.

[manhands]

Hey mate- well done on the Blackies they are fun to catch, but I really don't like eating anything that eats mainly weed, they always seem to carry some of the flavour. Did you scrape black gut lining off before eating? That helps. Also gut and bleed as soon as possible once landed no matter what the fish is.

I'm at Barrack Heights drop me a message sometime often need a spare hand on the boat- I go out of Shellharbour.

[Guest hawkesbass]

Well done on your first legal captures hope there is many more too come your way if you collect weed from the rocks grab some caggage aswell and mix into the berley and use as bait that will still get you onto a fish if the weed is scarce

[aeb870]

.........Did you scrape black gut lining off before eating? That helps.

I'm at Barrack Heights drop me a message sometime often need a spare hand on the boat- I go out of Shellharbour.

Thanks for the tips manhands, I only took home the fillets without getting into the stomach area so no need to scrape the lining as it was tossed out with the carcass. Would also love to come out off Shellharbour with you some time (obviously paying for my share ), recently sold my boat. I will PM in the near future. Thanks again...

Well done on your first legal captures hope there is many more too come your way if you collect weed from the rocks grab some caggage aswell and mix into the berley and use as bait that will still get you onto a fish if the weed is scarce

Thanks hawkesbass, it was definitely not my style of fishing but nevertheless I love all types of fishing and will definitely be trying again (hopefully on the weekend). Thanks for the tip on the berley, I didn't get a chance at all to berley this time round but others did.

[ving]

well done, they are a heap of fun on light gear.

[elferoz777]

Did you pull these out of the deep channel that runs under the bridge?

Looks like a good spot for them but I always find my float gets tangled in the lines of the 4000 other fisherman.

Might have a crack this weekend for fun.

Good work!

[Bawley]

skinned blackfish coated in tandaco light seasoned fish or southern fried chicken seasoning ( the one in the yellow packet in most supermarkets ).... shallow fried in a little vegetable oil ( not too much ) with a little butter/margerine.....then place in pre heat oven ( 240 ) for 6-7 mins.........mothersmilk!!!!!!!!!!