blairy69

Hi Noel, unfortunately mate we witnessed it along with plenty of other recreational boats- I have good mates that are on Pro Boats that are Ethical but in this case these were trailer based licenced fishing boats - that launched from Currarong, we are not talking small numbers of Kingfish either - in the 4 hours that we were at the Banks I reckon one boat took more than 50 fish less than 65cm - you might ask how I could tell - I could have thrown a blanket over them based on how close they came to my boat. We were out with a bunch of guys so 4 boats in total and we all boated Kingies in the 50 to 60 cm mark only one bloke got two in that were over 65 on that day. so the majority of the school was that size. Cheers Noel In regards to the Pearlie I got one there about 7 years ago and it was only 38 cm but I was cheering as they are so rare down there, to see one that big was amazing and suggests that we might start seeing more and more as the water temps continue to warm up.

Had a five day trip to Greenwell Point last week finishing up on Sunday - Wednesday was horrible weather and struggled to catch anything other than Seargent Baker, did pick up one snapper. Thursday was okay and Friday the pick of the days, between two boats we picked up about 20 nice pan size snapper across the 4 days biggest about 48 cm, several Flathead and other species such as Pigfish, black spotted Goatfish, Trevally, Morwong, a bucket load of Kingfish all around 60 cm - got sore arms but unfortunately none of them keepers, mind you seems the pro boats can keep them (someone explain that to me). Picked up a really surprise catch in a 60cm 3.5 kg Pearl Perch - my mate Tony was over the moon - last one of these I caught down here of Shoalhaven was 7 years ago and it was only 35 cm. Being from Coffs Harbour - Pearlies are reasonably common but are still a prized catch and seeing one this big this far south is unreal, looking forward to eating it shortly. Great trip finished off with my club on the local charter boat on Saturday - glad to be on the big boat after 3 days on my 17 foot Reef Raider - the old knees are feeling it today. Cheers Raiders.

Hi @Basil D - I am heading down to Greenwell Point in November - I assume you meant the Banks of Shoalhaven heads, it fished good last year this time as well, we got Kingy's as well last time, a couple of large Trevally. Just need to the weather to play ball over the 5 days we are there. - cheers and well done

I absolutely love the time and effort you put in @JonD those photo's are awesome, I remember seeing your girls photo's on display as well in Sydney some years ago, hopefully you guys are keeping that passion going as its fantastic.

Wanda beach has produced a few nice Jew lately, I saw one fish in excess of 35kgs it was a monster, same concept as above live mullet

I reckon you stumbled onto Hunters Hill and old spot Ross Hunter had off Coogee, often produces Pearlies and can fire on its day.

Very Cool congratulations

Not a Flathead they are different at that size - more liley a small type of Goby or Grinner especially that close to shore

Did you check for the record for Goatfish in Australia that looks a decent size - don't think the record is very big mind you I haven't checked in years.

Eating the Mowie is all about how you prep it - dont scale it just fillet and skin it, cut the gut line out and you will have a really nice clean fillet - simple cooking is best crack an egg in a bowl squeeze some fresh lemon in with the egg give it a good beating then dunk your fillets in the egg mix then dip in Krummies bread crumbs then shallow fry in olive oil - tastes great - with some nice hand cut chips twice cooked and a good old greek salad and crisp glass of chardonnay.

Should be plenty of Spanish macks around to, been a while since I have fished there and not sure of all the current marine parks but always used to catch slimys and yacka's just around the left hand side of Muttonbird Island not far from where the marina breakwall joins the Island, berly up and they should go bananas (excuse the Coffs Pun) You will get Spotty macks just out the front off Pig Island and I always find the barred Spanish on the Eastern Side of the Lighthouse on the South Side. Chance of a big nobby there as well and by catch like Samson and kingies Cheers and good luck

Wow - awesome effort on this post - very informative well done

I am eating the top one not the bottom one

Looks like a juvenile bar cod but also could be a totally protected black code juveniles often have the bars

Awesome Post champ love reading yours and seeing the photos. the watsons leaping bonito are such a pretty fish and great sashimi