saltrix Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Plan A was to get some live bait and try for Kingfish off Long Reef. The yellowtail were a bit shy but the bream were hungry and we caugth several on the tiniest scraps of pilchard. One was a keeper at 29cm as we were not sure of dinner at that stage. With 5 bite size live baits in the tank we headed to Long Reef to join a pro leadlining, 2 sports charters downrigging and numerous kayaks and other boats. We drifted out with lightly weighed livies and got a couple of u/s kings very quickly. Had to bring them in very quickly to save them from a seal who was keen to snatch them. As we did not see any legal kings come in and the seal seemed hungry we gave Long Reef away and headed to our old favourite Dee Why Wide. At first a brisk NW made it hard to keep the bottom, but it eased and we got a few fish. There are 7 Blue spots, 1 marbled, 2 spikeys (no legal size for these kept them for bait but they are good eating) and the bream that took the live bait scrap. The fires looked big from the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaxland Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Good job looks like a nice feed. How do I identify a spikey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltrix Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 It is easily identified by the very long lower spine on the side of the head. This reply comes from Sea Fishes of Southern Australia by Hutchins And Swainson. There is also a colour difference, the spikey is a reddish brown. This is a good reference for all fish around Sydney. the tail fin is different for all the different species of flathead and a fisherman needs to know which is which as there are various legal sizes and none for some. The spikey only grows to 34 cms and are spawning well before. The bag limit of 10 of all flathead species applies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reel' em in Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Nice catch mate, you can always count on the flathead for a feed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 A nice feed there saltrix. Earlier in the year, I pulled up a Spikey Flattie that was 32cm long. I have eaten a couple of the larger ones and they are very tasty. I use the spikey fillets for the bigger flatties, and have seen them in roe around the 20cm mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam bros Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 nice work mate what depth did you get the flatties in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltrix Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 We caught the flathead in about 52m, look for gravel and sand between the reefs. The small reds were a nuisance as once hooked it takes awhile to crank them up and return the and this cuts down fishing time. Make sure you use a sinker heavy enough to hold bottom and a sea anchor is essential in the wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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