fish confirmation (Wirrah Cod)

[Restyle]

Caught what i'm guessing is a brown spotted rock cod while bottom bashing at kurnell cliffs measured around 30 -35 cm 

 

[Blackfish]

I personally have never heard them called Brown Spotted Rock Cod.

Certainly Wirrah or Old Boots or the "proper name" if there is such a thing, Eastern Wirrah Cod as there is a Western Wirrah cod.

And as every one said pretty common. Ive never eaten on but my understanding no the best on the plate.

[noelm]

These fish have quite a few names, from old boot, pepper cod to Wirral Cod, which I do believe to be their correct name, very common catch in hard reef areas.

[masterfisho7]

4 hours ago, Restyle said:

Caught what i'm guessing is a brown spotted rock cod while bottom bashing at kurnell cliffs measured around 30 -35 cm 

 

Yes its a Cod nice fish great photo 

[rickmarlin62]

Wirrah cod  very common  

[frankS]

Yes they shrivel up into a ball as soon as they hit the hot fry pan, it's like chewing on an old piece of leather, a mate tells me they are OK if boiled but after my first account at trying to eat one I gave up on them. When hooked they often seek refuge under a cave or overhanging rock and stubbornly dig in and are pretty hard to pull out, you think you are snagged but if you relax and take tension off the line they sometimes come out from the cave and you pull them up like a wet rag.

Frank

[noelm]

Yep, tried eating them, years ago, they taste OK, but the flesh does just curl up into a tight ball, just toss them back whenever I catch one.

[Restyle]

Ahh cheers fellas, Googled wirrah cod and this exact fish came up. Not sure what drug my fishing book is on haha.
Thought about eating quality while i was unhooking it. glad to know they are no good.