nutsaboutfishing Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Headed out this morning with DezM on his tinny at Balgowlah. We fished the drop off and I set out three rods, one with a sabiki, one squid head and the other with a smaller prawn bait. Took quite a while but eventually got some hits on the prawn and pulled in a few pinkies 20-25 cm Suddenly the sabiki loads up. It was a decent fish as I had trouble getting the rod out of the rod holder! Pumped and wound. Was really afraid of losing the fish coz of the tiny hooks. And you know what, that's exactly what happened There were tiny bait fish everywhere on the surface, looked liked it was raining, except there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We decided to head to deeper water. DezM caught a keeper flatty on a bait, then caught another on an SP. Was beginning to wonder was I ever going to catch a keeper. Suddenly a felt a bump on my SP, then on the next lift a felt weight, alot of weight! Began the pump and wind, ablely coached by DezM, he has a lot more experience than me. The SP got taken on about the second lift and I had cast a 3/8th jighead, so there was a lot line between me and the fish. Kept reeling in line and thought there must be some colour soon. There fish made a few runs, so I tightened my drag a bit but the runs kept on coming. Finally after what seemed on eternity we got colour, a croc flatty!! Got her near the boat, but she wasn't finished and went for a couple more runs before I got her into netting range. My ever reliable net man DezM (this is the first time we've bought a net) looked a little nervous. After a few attempts, this was one unhappy lady, we got her in the boat. Don't know my previous PB, but she was definitely the new one! Came in at 80cm and boy was she fat! Now came the decision keep or release? I've actually never released a keeper in the past, but such a beautiful old fish, the decision really wasn't very hard. Felt really good to see her swim back into the depths. Crocalicious!! thanks for reading richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbdshroom Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Well done Richard, nice croc and PB. You've come in leaps and bounds since the Soft Plastics Social last year and this is just a fantastic result all round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 That a great fish. Bad luck on not taking anything for the table but hopefully it's made up for with the PB and feeling of returning a breeder. Nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 That's a great fish mate, congratulations. Nice work too releasing the old girl. They aren't good eating at that size . Great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bessell1955 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Just think of all of the Flathead that this fish will produce. You are to be congratulated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zanderman Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 That is a horse Flattie! good work on the release! always good to release a big girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the producer Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The feeling you will get from knowing that fish may go on to breed the fish your grandchildren catch is something that you will never forget....Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamski Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Very nice fish and hats off to you for releasing her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blood Knot Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Ripper flatty mate, well done Cheers Blood Knot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Well done Richard, nice croc and PB. You've come in leaps and bounds since the Soft Plastics Social last year and this is just a fantastic result all round.That was a great day, Richard was one of the first guys I met. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 That was a great day, Richard was one of the first guys I met. Yea that was a great day Andrew. We should get together and have a fish some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiveflies Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Great fish and well done on the release Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 Well done Richard, nice croc and PB. You've come in leaps and bounds since the Soft Plastics Social last year and this is just a fantastic result all round. Thanks Dr Pete, I guess I had a great teacher!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SgtBundy Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Nice flatty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 excellent work Richard !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snatcher Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Yes well done on the release Richard. Some fish you just cannot knock on the head. Its especially important with big spawning fish I hope your grandchilren will reap the benefits. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DezM Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Privileged to witness the big shovel headed flattie coming up from the depths. Big sides and that and that big mouth... what a catch. Glad to have got the net shot right as well! Congrats on the capture. One for the memories in future years to come. Dez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregh1 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Good on you for releasing her mate!! That fish looks like it is on steroids!! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEX Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Great fish mate! Good on ya for letting it go wouldve made a good feed LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Great catch and glad you released the Ol girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssalty Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Great flattie there mate , even better that you released that old gal.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyster Cracker Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Nice fish well done on releasing this fish to spawn another day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fran1mat Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Wow. Thanks for sharing. Great fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldMateJon Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Great report and congrats on the PB! Stinging to get back out for a flick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josamill Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 What a champ releasing her........great fish and a photo that will last a lifetime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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