hookerbruce Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 We spent the second week of the school holidays at South West Rocks with 3 of our grand children. Fished 6 days in a row between 3 and 5 hours. This was the ultimate trophy fish of the trip and will be remembered by my grandson for the rest of his life. Even though we encouraged him to release the fish he insisted on keeping it, he even pointed out by the rules he is allowed to keep 2 fish over 70cm. He has agreed he will not be keeping another large flathead this year. We were fishing one of the sandflats in the river (with the nor easter blowing very fresh) I was about 80 m away fishing with live herring 1 grandson was in the boat the younger one in the water almost up to his waist flicking small baits just past the drop off. I saw he had a fish on then after a couple of minutes his brother got out of the boat with the landing net so I started fishing my way back to the boat no need to hurry then they started shouting about monsters then I worked out it was a monster flathead and headed for the boat. Older grandson decided he'd better get a bigger net. I arrived just in time to take over netting duties and after another couple of anxious minutes going under the boat and under the anchor the fish was in the net. Walked the fish back to the boat and lifted it in took a quick photo then discussed how it should go back, during this short time it never moved and maybe it would not have released well anyway. Fish was 93 cm weighed in at 5.2 kg on Certified Scales, caught on 2 kg platypus pre test on a 2500 sedona reel on a light 2-4 kg rod. Bait was a small piece of herring fillet on a no. 2 hook and a short 15lb trace. It appears it will be a State and a National sportfishing record for a sub junior. Fishing in general was a little quiet flathead were mainly in 40-55cm range usually kept about 4 a day released more then we kept, up to half a doz bream and whiting each day and a few longtom. The fishing will improve as the water warms up a bit. First day fisheries check, second day jetski waterways check and third day the big maritime boat checked us. Not a lot of boats out on the river so I guess thats why we were so popular. 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 That's a fish of a lifetime. Shame it couldn't be returned but as long as it is enjoyed & appreciated that the main thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfisho7 Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 One top flathead love the photo well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61 crusher Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Congrats to the young fella epic fish on 2kg line 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Great fish and on that light line as well, congratulations to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 As you say, he will NEVER forget that fish nor that trip. A great capture on that outfit too. Well done young fella and also Grandad. Cheers, bn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Cracking fish there. A real croc. Hope you enjoyed your trip up north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltyGreek Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Very nice flathead well done 👍🏽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Great to see the kids fishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Fantastic catch, one to remember for sure. Congratulations to the young bloke and I hope he does gain a record . Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Good work again Bruce. A big flattie for the young bloke. You are doing much better up there than down here at the moment, though with school hols over, the number of kids in tinnies should be less. Last Friday, the water temp at Wanda Beach was 16 degrees so a bit cool for the fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burger Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 That is just awesome! Well done young bloke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XD351 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Congratulations young fella ! Thats a stonker ! I still remember my first big lizard ( not that big though !) like it was yesterday but that is now going on 40yrs ago ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Squidy Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 That's brilliant, what a fish for a young fella, especially on 2Kg. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Monster lizard there well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 He'll be sharing that story with his classmates this week! Great fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on the MARK Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Mate, that is a Cracker Croc! A story to tell forever! Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookerbruce Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 Thankyou everyone for your replies and comments. The fish has now been cut up and distributed thru the family so everyone can have a taste. We had it for tea tonight, my wife didn't know what fish she was eating and commented how nice it was. I cut it up into pieces the shape of flathead tails and it did turn out good. Grandson had a smile on his face all weekend. Grandsons read all the fishraider reports on their tablets thru their fathers login so follow what is happening. Thanks Bruce 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restyle Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 ripper of a fish, almost bigger than him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 now thats better than playing computer games hand down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakelad Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Making memories, good times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drought Breaker Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Great fish young fella congrats. Think your only allowed 1 over 70? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookerbruce Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 54 minutes ago, Drought Breaker said: Great fish young fella congrats. Think your only allowed 1 over 70? 100% only allowed 1 over 70cm . It is very rare for us to keep 1 over 65 cm. We would have released 5 over 80 in the last year plus plenty in the 65 - 80 cm range. 90 % of our flathead are caught in less than a metre of water. He is very proud of his capture and that he caught it all on his own except for me netting it. Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Wow that's awesome. Congrats on being there to share such a special moment with the grandkids. I bet the grandson had smiles for days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drought Breaker Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 On 10/20/2020 at 3:14 PM, hookerbruce said: 100% only allowed 1 over 70cm . It is very rare for us to keep 1 over 65 cm. We would have released 5 over 80 in the last year plus plenty in the 65 - 80 cm range. 90 % of our flathead are caught in less than a metre of water. He is very proud of his capture and that he caught it all on his own except for me netting it. Bruce hope he catches many more mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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