Evil Lurking Surgeonfish

[wazatherfisherman]

Surgeonfish, just a mention of the name will get a reaction from Luderick fishers, either the shake of a head followed by a curse word, or a nod in recognition of battles lost, either way, for those who've spent a lot of time chasing Luderick, there will be a reaction. Occasionally, someone will have a positive story about the one that didn't get away, but for the most part, the stories and chat will be about loss. In fact there's a bit of a running joke about the Surgeons having an 'underwater cave' somewhere in Sydney Harbour where they meet up and tell their own stories about the fishers who's tackle they've destroyed and the cave is said to be lined with all the floats they've stolen from fishers in mostly one-sided battles. So they say. I've heard different versions of the same story for well over 40 years, such is their 'notoriety' amongst Luderick anglers.

Fishing for Luderick around Sydney Harbour, at some point Surgeon's will be encountered- mostly with 'negative' results. 'Negative'? -stories of broken lines, lost floats and dusted knuckles from centrepin reel handles spinning in reverse are the common thread, with most fishers having at least a story or two about these often encountered unusual fish. For those who don't really know, often, a monumental bust up of tackle- including loss of float- is attributed to 'rogue' Black Drummer (official name is Rock Blackfish) more commonly known as 'Pigs', but more often when fishing the Harbour it is more likely that the culprit was in fact a Surgeon- also known as Sawtail.

First, a bit about them. Belonging to the Acanthuridae family which includes more than 70 species including the colourful Tang species (the blue fish and star of the animated story 'Finding Dory' is a Blue Tang!)- that are often seen in aquariums, they are found all over the world and grow to over 10kg, but the larger ones are thought to be oceanic after reaching maturity and generally the ones encountered in estuaries like Sydney Harbour are generally much smaller fish. They come in quite a variety of colours and have skin very similar to a Leatherjacket except a much finer 'sandpaper' texture. Several extremely sharp scutes just forward of the tail are the reason for the name 'Surgeon' as these scutes can be scalpel-sharp a connecting reference to medical surgeons. When we were younger we thought the name came from them 'surgically' nipping the bait off time and again just mm below the hook without leaving any possibility of being hooked.

An oval shaped fish, they are quite thin but have a powerful tail and are capable of really fast and strong short runs after being hooked. A 1kg Surgeon landed on 3kg Luderick tackle is classed as an excellent capture, a 2kg fish being a real achievement and a 3kg version a 'once in a lifetime' capture on light tackle.

They are a schooling fish and appear in larger numbers in the Harbour from late August to mid September, often in traditional Luderick areas. When encountered in larger schools, they can ruin a day's Luderick fishing by beating the Luderick to the bait every time. They generally prefer calmer water than Drummer, hence bust-offs in upper Harbour locations are easily attributed to them. Personally, I've caught both Black and Silver Drummer up as far as Cremorne, but they are generally juvenile fish of only about half to a kilo and fairly easily handled on standard 3kg Luderick tackle. Not so Surgeons, they are both speedy and extremely dirty fighters, with the usual tactic of racing around obstacles such as wharf pylons, rocks and boulders or diving straight into big patches of kelp, where fish and fisher are quickly 'disconnected'. They are also happy to race up really narrow crevices, resulting again in loss of tackle.

They are very similar to Luderick with their eating habits, by day grazing for marine vegetation, small shrimps and worms and by night becoming a little more carnivorous and like Luderick, adding prawns, nippers and cungevoi to their diet. They have a mouth very similar to that of a Luderick, with small firm filamentous teeth, the one difference being that at different times of the year, Surgeons teeth become tougher and quite sharp. At these times they will easily bite through mono fishing line, making them a difficult species to stay connected to.

Surgeons are also quite wary when it comes to feeding on baits like their favourite green weed and cabbage (green ulva), combine this with a propensity to only approach a well presented bait on light line (anything over about 8-10lb will generally be ignored) and the way they actually take said bait, makes them a very challenging fish to catch.

Our first early encounters with them were while Luderick fishing at Circular Quay way back in the mid 70's, we caught a couple and lost a lot, mainly having them take off under the wharves after being hooked. Watching some of the Harbour's 'professional' Luderick fishers over many years, revealed that often the bite of a Surgeon was distinctly different from either Luderick or either Drummer (Silver or Black) species. To the uninitiated, watching the float slowly go down would seem very similar to Luderick, but when Surgeons are around in number, the 'common' bite (known as a 'down') is usually different. After moving down 3-4ft the float stops and just remains stationery under water. Sometimes it will remain there for up to about thirty seconds before (usually) coming back up to the surface- the weed bait is often nipped off just below the hook and the fish can't be hooked- due to the hook not being taken into the fish's mouth.

On the occasions that the float makes a secondary movement down and away and a positive hook-set occurs, the fish take off on a wild run- often straight to either structure or a mass of kelp plants where they bury themselves. When a school moves into the area you're fishing and is attracted by your burley, bites are often pretty much instantly the moment your bait goes down to them, at these times, the float will disappear rapidly before coming to a stop the 3 or 4ft under water, before coming back up minus all your weed bar the bit on the hook. At these times, they can be really annoying due to them getting straight onto the bait before anything else, plus the fact that even when you do hook one, they can be really hard to stop or they bite through your line just like Leatherjackets do.

The up-side to them is as well as being really challenging to land, they are quality fish to eat, with really nice firm white flesh.

A few tips for catching them:

standard Luderick tackle is probably the best if you are using marine growth like weed- or shrimps-, if using nippers you can use heavier line (they love unweighted nippers)

use quality string weed in conjunction with a small but constant burley trail of weed mixed with wet sand (to help take the weed down to the fish) oceanic varieties of green weed that have strands that are either flat or hollow-tubular and darker green in colour work the best as opposed to 'round stranded' weed or light coloured weed. They are also very fond of those tiny shrimps (that look like miniature prawns) which can be obtained by pushing a hand net through brown ribbon weed usually found in lakes/lagoons- simply put 1 or 2 on the hook and fish under a float same as when using weed

weight the float down so only the smallest amount of float tip is above water (1cm or even less if fishing off a wharf) so there is less resistance when the fish touches the bait

use 6-10lb line for leader-no more, regardless that large models will often bust off- it's better to get more bites/chances than use heavier line

they will often bite when the tide is high and not flowing- Luderick usually prefer at least a bit of water movement or 'drift'

generally fish about 3 meters deep or deeper

when you lift the rod to strike on the secondary down, be prepared to let the fish race off with minimal pressure- this way at least they'll be a little less likely to fray your line on unseen obstacles

something else I've learned about them is that when they are in schools, after a hooked fish races off, without too much pressure applied, they usually return to the school via the same 'pathway' (especially in the case of fishing around boulders/kelp beds/crevices) -so if one takes off at warp speed and doesn't either break you off or bury itself- they usually return to where the rest of the school is holding- which has proven useful when fishing for them in really small gutters and crevices.

they normally only make one or two strong bursts, so if you stay connected after two runs, there's a great chance you'll land the fish.

A spot I've fished since childhood along the eastern front of Bradleys Head sees Luderick stationed from high tide down to low, then Surgeons turn up on the run-up tide and become quite excited when burley is dispensed, once they arrive the Luderick go off the bite. Other Harbour locations have them at different times though high tide seems to be the best

they are quite territorial - which may be the reason other species like Luderick, Drummer and Black Spinefoot (Rabbit Fish or Black Trevally- also known as 'happy moments') take off when Surgeons show up. In aquarium environments they often 'stake out' a bit of territory and show aggression towards other fish in the tank that venture too close.

So why the "Evil Lurking" tag? Because they turn up and take over, 'bullying' other species away, then steal most of your bait before you finally hook a couple and they bust you off and steal your float and gear. I know if that cave does exist, there's quite a few of my floats in there!

They are a trophy though, memorable to land, then eat and they are found all over the Harbour especially when they arrive in spring. It might take quite a few encounters to finally get one, but are a most worthy target and smaller versions around half a kilo quite realistic to land! The smaller fish do hang around with Luderick schools at times, but the larger ones seem to stick together and don't socialise with others- that's what I've found at any rate.

I caught an all blue one about a kilo some years back and it was the most gorgeous fish I've ever seen. Surgeonfish- as hard to land as any species I've encountered

 

 

Edited August 11, 2022 by wazatherfisherman

[Green Hornet]

Great write up Waza. In my 40 plus years of luderick fishing down here on the south coast, I’ve never seen, let alone catch one. I’m not too sure whether they don’t venture this far south or the stronger, river currents don’t suit them.

Pound for pound, do you think they fight harder than a pig on “blackie” gear?

[Rebel]

Great story.

Never heard of them till now.

Well done

[masterfisho7]

Top report well done 

[wazatherfisherman]

3 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

Great write up Waza. In my 40 plus years of luderick fishing down here on the south coast, I’ve never seen, let alone catch one. I’m not too sure whether they don’t venture this far south or the stronger, river currents don’t suit them.

Pound for pound, do you think they fight harder than a pig on “blackie” gear?

Hi Pete I think their distribution does reach as far south as you, however they prefer estuary 'harbours' rather than rivers- similar vein to pigs where the juveniles are often found inside but larger specimens are more or less oceanic- perhaps they are happier in higher salinity and less sediment.

Really large ones live around hard reef structure offshore where they can strip rocks of marine growth and have sharper teeth, the unicorn fish are part of the family and they also graze on coral.

Pound for pound Surgeons are heaps harder fighters than pigs and just as dirty, the fact that they are usually so hard to keep connected to due to their careful biting pattern, dislike of heavy line, wild speedy runs and often sharp teeth adds to the challenge of catching one.

When I've gone to target them specifically, I realistically know that if I catch just one for the day it really is an achievement and 3 out of 4 trips even if you can get a hook into them they quickly bust you up.

A fair few do get caught by Luderick fishers throughout the harbour, but they are generally well under a kilo and can be handled on Luderick tackle- particularly when fishing in water that's over about 7-8 mtrs deep, where you get a chance to slow them up before they gey to structure. In shallower water they take off like a rocket.

While up at Port Stephens years ago I went to have a look at a weigh-in for a spearfishing comp and there were some genuinely huge ones weighed in -over 5-6kg and it made me think that ones that size would never be landed on Luderick gear.

Quite a few times I've had about 4ft of my 12ft Luderick rod dragged into one of the crevices I used to fish- creating instant panic and only 'reactive movement' in changing the direction of holding the rod has saved it from breakage due to the line breaking and the recovery of the rod banging on the foot wide crevice the fish has run up- few other fish make fisher's look like a beginner!

[Green Hornet]

Thanks for the detailed reply Waza. I did hear of one being caught recently down around Kiama. Pity they aren’t more plentiful down this way, as I’d love to give them a go?

Those big pigs at Moes on the “blackie” gear always got the blood pumping.

[wazatherfisherman]

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

Thanks for the detailed reply Waza. I did hear of one being caught recently down around Kiama. Pity they aren’t more plentiful down this way, as I’d love to give them a go?

Those big pigs at Moes on the “blackie” gear always got the blood pumping.

Hi Pete Kiama Harbour might be worth a try- oceanic water, deep enough, structure and a bit of marine growth. They are surprisingly speedy for a fish the shape they are and battles are often won/lost in the first 30 seconds. When they are in numbers they are definitely an easier prospect due to their habit of returning to the school, rather than individual fish who have a territory and certainly know what to head for underwater

If you do get a chance to have a go for them it's necessary to put on a really neat bait of 'cabbage-like' oceanic weed as they just nip off any bulky looking bait, only taking the loose-hanging strands.

I reckon they're harder to land than Pigs and Kings- so highly I rate them as fighting fish

[Yowie]

Another good story Waza.

Several years ago in Port Hacking, I saw 4 of the buggers around the 30cm mark, water only a metre deep, and they were swimming in and out of small rocks as cover. Threw in bait and burley but no success. Probably because of the clear water they were not hungry, though looking up at me probably scared them.  🤣  They remainded there for several weeks then disappeared.

[Isaac Ct]

1 hour ago, wazatherfisherman said:

Hi Pete I think their distribution does reach as far south as you, however they prefer estuary 'harbours' rather than rivers- similar vein to pigs where the juveniles are often found inside but larger specimens are more or less oceanic- perhaps they are happier in higher salinity and less sediment.

@Green Hornet maybe ulladulla harbour might hold them? Along the rock wall.

[noelm]

6 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

Great write up Waza. In my 40 plus years of luderick fishing down here on the south coast, I’ve never seen, let alone catch one. I’m not too sure whether they don’t venture this far south or the stronger, river currents don’t suit them.

Pound for pound, do you think they fight harder than a pig on “blackie” gear?

Lots of them at Bass Point, around the Gravel Loader, and most of the northern side, I have seen some quite big ones diving, speared one once accidentally, thought it was a big Drummer in a darkish hole.

[wazatherfisherman]

5 hours ago, Yowie said:

Another good story Waza.

Several years ago in Port Hacking, I saw 4 of the buggers around the 30cm mark, water only a metre deep, and they were swimming in and out of small rocks as cover. Threw in bait and burley but no success. Probably because of the clear water they were not hungry, though looking up at me probably scared them.  🤣  They remainded there for several weeks then disappeared.

Hi Yowie I met a bloke who worked at one of the marina's in the Port- can't remember which bay it was- anyway, he was telling us that they had a running competition amongst the marina staff as to who could catch the largest one from the marina. He said the Surgeons were hanging around there for a few months each year and clearly visible.

They fished for them with handline's only and used unweighted nippers for bait, catching some pretty large ones but still got busted off by them even on heavy handlines, so they're definitely active around the Port.

Good eating fish also.

[Larkin]

Great write up waza! Very informative.

I’ve kept quite a few surgeonfish over the years. Blue tang, powder blue tang, purple tang, yellow tang, Achilles tang, lipstick tang, as well as some of the unicorns. Some are more aggressive than others - usually it’s the solitary tangs like the powder blue that like to fight other tangs.

Ive watched much of their behaviour like you described. They love to go and hide inside crevasses.

They use their “razors” as weapons in territorial disputes. 
Once I saw a powder blue tang “expose” its razors - it flared them out (which I hadn’t realised they could do). It squared itself along side another tang and aggressively beat its tail against the other fish, slicing it up. I removed the other fish, but the attack was quick and aggressive. The blades stayed exposed for a while, but later retracted back to how they were originally.

[wazatherfisherman]

24 minutes ago, Larkin said:

Great write up waza! Very informative.

I’ve kept quite a few surgeonfish over the years. Blue tang, powder blue tang, purple tang, yellow tang, Achilles tang, lipstick tang, as well as some of the unicorns. Some are more aggressive than others - usually it’s the solitary tangs like the powder blue that like to fight other tangs.

Ive watched much of their behaviour like you described. They love to go and hide inside crevasses.

They use their “razors” as weapons in territorial disputes. 
Once I saw a powder blue tang “expose” its razors - it flared them out (which I hadn’t realised they could do). It squared itself along side another tang and aggressively beat its tail against the other fish, slicing it up. I removed the other fish, but the attack was quick and aggressive. The blades stayed exposed for a while, but later retracted back to how they were originally.

Hi Larkin that's fascinating! I had no idea they could do that with the scutes.

My favourite old spot for them is an "L" shaped gutter that's only about 5 x 3 meters long and about 5 deep and 2 wide. They sit under the edge on the longest side in the shadows adjacent a narrow crevasse and forage along the kelp covered sides. There are Luderick, Black and Silver Drummer, Red Morwong, Jackets and at times pesky Black Spinefoot (if they are there they even beat the Surgeons to weed baits) but when the Surgeons get excited, you don't get any of the other species. The good part is that they either aren't there or interested on the outgoing tide when the Luderick are interested. The whole dynamic changes when the tide starts to come back in

[JimT]

Have caught a few Surgeons from The Trap behind The Coast Golf Course at Little Bay in my youngers years. They are hard fighters and really good eating..

Jim

[Larkin]

12 hours ago, wazatherfisherman said:

Hi Larkin that's fascinating! I had no idea they could do that with the scutes.

My favourite old spot for them is an "L" shaped gutter that's only about 5 x 3 meters long and about 5 deep and 2 wide. They sit under the edge on the longest side in the shadows adjacent a narrow crevasse and forage along the kelp covered sides. There are Luderick, Black and Silver Drummer, Red Morwong, Jackets and at times pesky Black Spinefoot (if they are there they even beat the Surgeons to weed baits) but when the Surgeons get excited, you don't get any of the other species. The good part is that they either aren't there or interested on the outgoing tide when the Luderick are interested. The whole dynamic changes when the tide starts to come back in

I love how you’ve studied the habits of these not so commonly fished for species - I find that is the hardest knowledge to come by and why I really enjoy reading your posts.

Makes me want to go out there and catch one!

[wazatherfisherman]

4 minutes ago, Larkin said:

I love how you’ve studied the habits of these not so commonly fished for species - I find that is the hardest knowledge to come by and why I really enjoy reading your posts.

Makes me want to go out there and catch one!

Thank you! I'm always happy to share anything I know, otherwise the information becomes lost.

Learning about your target species food is paramount to most other factors and with Surgeons it's really important to present a really natural looking weed bait or you will just feed them for ages and get no results. 

I reckon it would definitely be worth a try around the marina's in the Port during mid to late September and if you can access some of those tiny shrimps even better- I reckon they're probably even better than weed

[wazatherfisherman]

10 hours ago, jot said:

Have caught a few Surgeons from The Trap behind The Coast Golf Course at Little Bay in my youngers years. They are hard fighters and really good eating..

Jim

Hi Jim makes you wonder how many of those "Pig" bust-off's are in fact Surgeons. Also had a couple of scary experiences at the Trap in younger days

[Duffy75]

 My 9yo son landed 2  this morning, I'm yet to land any yet been smoked by some larger models over the years.

[wazatherfisherman]

51 minutes ago, Duffy75 said:

 My 9yo son landed 2  this morning, I'm yet to land any yet been smoked by some larger models over the years.

Hi Duffy cool and well done to the young bloke! Did you get them on weed or cabbage?

[Duffy75]

2 hours ago, wazatherfisherman said:

Hi Duffy cool and well done to the young bloke! Did you get them on weed or cabbage?

Both Surgeons were on Cabbage, I had weed and Cabbage the Blackfish were all caught on weed. We just ate the Surgeons they were sensational!

[JimT]

On 8/13/2022 at 10:56 AM, wazatherfisherman said:

Hi Jim makes you wonder how many of those "Pig" bust-off's are in fact Surgeons. Also had a couple of scary experiences at the Trap in younger days

After thinking about these fish I recall we used the brown slimy weed which is usually scrapped in with our cleats when fishing for blackfish.......

[Burger]

Another great tale Waza!

I've definitely hooked a few surgeons . . . . note that I said hooked not caught 😅

I've never even looked like landing one, so Duff's young bloke is going well! 👍

Edited August 17, 2022 by Burger

[wazatherfisherman]

2 hours ago, Burger said:

Another great tale Waza!

I've definitely hooked a few surgeons . . . . note that I said hooked not caught 😅

I've never even looked like landing one, so Duff's young bloke is going well! 👍

Hi Burger and thanks! I was actually wondering if you'd caught any- knowing you're a keen Luderick fisher. I reckon a lot of the bust-ups attributed to Pigs are in fact Surgeons.

Duff's young bloke has achieved something special catching two on the same day and has bragging rights over his Dad at the moment! 

Surgeons will be around in numbers during September, so hopefully a few more will be subdued as they are a very worthy target, just beware all- they love 'collecting' floats!

[Burger]

1 hour ago, wazatherfisherman said:

Duff's young bloke has achieved something special catching two on the same day and has bragging rights over his Dad at the moment! 

Bragging rights over most of us I reckon! 😅 😲 😇

[Duffy75]

There is some nice fish in the harbour at the moment and the Surgeons are a great bycatch!