Berrero Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Hey Raiders, Just thought I'd pick your brains and ask for some advice. Recently found out that oyster flesh is a pretty cracker bream bait. Just wanted to double check- a) are we allowed to just smash up oysters wherever and use them as bait? b) is there any safety concerns for myself as the area where I would be collecting them (cooks river Sydney) is quite polluted and has been for a few decades. Should I be concerned about handling these, cutting them up, getting them in wounds etc? I know it sounds a bit silly but just wanted to make sure before I proceed. Some of the ones I've cracked open in the cooks (especially the larger ones) have been a tinge of green.... 🤢🤢 Anyway went for a fish yesterday to gave it a try while I was throwing around plastics and to my surprise landed this 38cm stonker. Also landed a nice healthy trevally on plastics while I was there. Thanks for your advice, tight lines. Chris Edited September 4, 2019 by Berrero 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) The information is already out there, you just have to look for it! https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/saltwater-bag-and-size-limits On locations, you will need to look at if there are any sanctuary or similar marine parks where collecting is allowed Or not. These zones are usually able to be seen on RMS boating maps or check the DPI website for them. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/marine-protected-areas https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/using-waterways/maps/boating-maps.html Also on your comment re pollutants etc & whether or not fish are edible this information is also out there, as to if there is a possibility of infections from cuts make by oysters well its pretty much possible to get infection from anything from the sea from anywhere. the fact that oysters are filterers & collect microscopic organisms makes them an even higher risk. Id be wearing gloves for sure, like those smooth gardening gloves from bunnings! https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases Edited September 4, 2019 by kingie chaser 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berrero Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 11 minutes ago, kingie chaser said: The information is already out there, you just have to look for it! https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/saltwater-bag-and-size-limits On locations, you will need to look at if there are any sanctuary or similar marine parks where collecting is allowed Or not. These zones are usually able to be seen on RMS boating maps or check the DPI website for them. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/marine-protected-areas https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/using-waterways/maps/boating-maps.html Also on your comment re pollutants etc & whether or not fish are edible this information is also out there, as to if there is a possibility of infections from cuts make by oysters well its pretty much possible to get infection from anything from the sea from anywhere. the fact that oysters are filterers & collect microscopic organisms makes them an even higher risk. Id be wearing gloves for sure, like those smooth gardening gloves from bunnings! https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases Thanks for your quick response. I did some googling yesterday and I struggled to find much about using them as bait in aus. I had a look at the map and the area I fish isnt in the protected zones. I noticed the bag limit of oysters is 50, but just curious how this would apply to breaking open and using as bait on site. Could I get in trouble from fisheries if they find me using them? In the same sense as you need to keep fish whole to be able to prove size. Having a small mound of smashed oysters would be hard to count and keep track. Not that I'd use anywhere near 50 in a session!!! And as far as safety goes I'm aware of the infectious nature of oyster cuts, had my fair share back in the day! Was more so concerned about any specific pollutants in this specific river or collection of heavy metals etc. I understand that these guys cop the brunt of most heavy metals and pollutants being filter feeders. Thanks again mate 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restyle Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I have used oysters along the rock walls at cpt cook bridge. They also had a green tinge to it. i use a large flat-head screw drive to pry them open and take the snotty looking things out. they are a cracka bait. I myself wouldn't worry about gloves or anything as it depends how you open the oyster, if your just pry it open with a Flathead screw driver you shouldn't really touch the shell. As for pollutants i wouldn't be entirely sure but have heard here and in multiple other places the cooks is no where near as polluted as it was years ago, weather it is or not i wouldnt exactly know as i rarely fish the cooks. A really good berley is crushed oyster shells, a little bit of mud or sand mixed with oysters. would be a wise idea to wear gloves for that. or just use to ball launchers you use for playing fetch with your dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaxland Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 If you get oyster shell in a cut its hard to remove and can infect had plenty as a kid with no serious injury. Was it safer 50 odd years ago who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Great photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Just a mention to everyone to check our "links" section here on fishraider. These will go straight to the webpages that give all the info @Berrero thanks for some interesting questions 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasponge Posted September 9, 2019 Share Posted September 9, 2019 On 9/5/2019 at 6:35 AM, Berrero said: Recently found out that oyster flesh is a pretty cracker bream bait. Just wanted to double check- How do you use em for bait. Fresh oysters are very soft, particularly the size you find growing naturally. I'd imagine they'd be very hard to keep on the hook and get a hook up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berrero Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 21 hours ago, seasponge said: How do you use em for bait. Fresh oysters are very soft, particularly the size you find growing naturally. I'd imagine they'd be very hard to keep on the hook and get a hook up. Not too sure, the larger ones that I used were quite fleshy. About half of the oyster was way too soft (forgive my terminology, around the lips of the oyster) and found the middle part of the oyster and the foot to be quite thick and meaty. Just cut them into strips, threaded them on a hook and cast out. Was only casting maybe 5 meters out so was only soft casts and didn't have any dramas. I'm heading back today to try again on the rising tide, will report back any changes or if I hit gold again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Berrero said: Not too sure, the larger ones that I used were quite fleshy. About half of the oyster was way too soft (forgive my terminology, around the lips of the oyster) and found the middle part of the oyster and the foot to be quite thick and meaty. Just cut them into strips, threaded them on a hook and cast out. Was only casting maybe 5 meters out so was only soft casts and didn't have any dramas. I'm heading back today to try again on the rising tide, will report back any changes or if I hit gold again Personally I have tried fresh & salted oysters with little result, mostly because I have had access to free shucked oysters. Imo not many fish see oysters as natural food, I mean not many smaller species fish can crack an oyster shell right? So I would try to concentrate your efforts on other forms of natural bait, nippers, worms, etc. Other than that the soft plastic versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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