Fish species I caught in Australia

twoutes · July 03, 2007, 11:35:11 CET

Another species that likes to take a jump is the 'Mako Shark'. When we target sharks we usually go out to 80 fathoms and get a burley trail going. This usually consists of whatever oily fish we can get out hands on. Left over baits from the marlin season work well, consisting of Slimey Mackeral and Striped tuna, otherwise we usually catch a large tub of barracutta on the way out and mix some tuna oil with it. We put portions of the burley into a pot at the back of the boat and munch it up every couple of minutes or so. There have been many a time when we've had sharks come up and try to bite the burley pot off the back of the boat.Mako sharks are great fun to fight as they take long runs and most times end up launching out of the water while doing back wards sumersalts, usually 3 to 4 metres high. One of my friends had one jump into his boat after hooking it up close to the boat. All l can say is that he was not happy, as it did alot of damage.

twoutes · July 05, 2007, 06:48:48 CET

Marlin species we catch here are mainly, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, and Blue Marlin. We also have Sailfish and Shortbill Spearfish, which l hope to target some time nex year. Fingers crossed!!!

twoutes · July 05, 2007, 06:55:10 CET

My Cousin Tony and his mate caught this beutiful Blue Marlin on there very first trip out at Bermagui, on a Skirted Lure using a 24kg Outfit. GREAT EFFORT!!!

twoutes · July 07, 2007, 00:34:27 CET

As you can see...I love fishing. As l mentioned once before, fishing to me is not about the size of the catch, but the chase and the adventure.
I'm looking forward to coming to Malta in 4 weeks time, to visit my family, but to also to experiance the fishing over there. The last time l was there was 30 years ago, and had no interest in fishing then. I remember my grandfather use to fish with a long bamboo pole, while we dived into the sea next to him. (Do they still fish in this way?) I use to enjoy watching him pull up many little fish for 'iliota'?(soup I think)

Any how..If anyone wishes to drop me an email, l would love to catch up with you while l'm there, maybe we can go fishing together?

twoutes · July 09, 2007, 13:47:22 CET

Around this time last year, we heard that there was a hot bite down south in Tasmania. Blue fin Tuna up to 80kg were being caught close in off the rocks. My friend and l flew down to have a go. Fortunatley we had another friend living there with a boat ready to go. We spent 4 days trying every trick in our book but with no sucess...l suppose that's why they call it fishing and not catching! We did manage to catch one of the best eating fish here in Australia though, the 'Striped Trumpeter'. We spent about an hour bottom bouncing for a result of 6 fish. And l must say it sure is the best eating fish here.

twoutes · July 11, 2007, 10:04:55 CET

I sometimes take for granted, the fact that l can get out there among all the action, is due to the reliabilty of my two boats. I've caught marlin out of both, but the smaller one l named 'Two Utes' only gets used locally now in Port Phillip Bay. The Eden Craft gets taken on all the big trips now, as l can fish in waters with up to 20 knot winds if l have to. Not very pleasant, but sometimes it can pick up real quick.

twoutes · July 13, 2007, 09:41:56 CET

In case you are wondering why l named my boat 'Two Utes'. I used to have two old 'HQ' Holden utilites or utes as they call them here. When l bought my first 4WD for hunting purposes l decided to fix up both utes and sell them, and the money l got from them l would buy my first boat...Hence the name 'Two Utes'

twoutes · July 16, 2007, 00:56:21 CET

Here is another one for you to have a look at. This very unusal looking fish is called an 'Elphant Fish' Around September each year they congrigate in Western Port Bay to breed. Fishermen here go crazy over them here, though l don't think that they are that good for eating. I love catching them on very light gear and only use 4lb line on them, this way l enjoy letting them run and sometimes nearly get spooled. A large group of my friends hired a very large boat and spent a half day catching them. It was more of a social trip than a fishing trip, and we all had a great day.

dcassar · July 16, 2007, 10:02:35 CET

Now that has got to be one of the weirdest fish I have seen in a long time - do you have any idea on how they feed or what that protrusion on the front is for? It looks like it would be used for bottom feeding....

djc

twoutes · July 16, 2007, 13:34:00 CET

It is weird looking isn't it!!! Yes you are correct, it is a bottom feeder. It feels around with its trunk (hence the name elephant fish) along the sandy bottom looking for scraps. A little bit like a vacum cleaner.

twoutes · July 18, 2007, 11:00:03 CET

When its time to put out a fresh bait for a marlin, we deploy the use of a light rod with a feather jig. This usually produces a scaley mackrel or shark mackrel which make really good skip baits for the larger black marlin. But catching the bait is only half the fun....

dcassar · July 18, 2007, 12:30:14 CET

MAN -

You have some amazing fishing/fish in Australia - sincerely, I was unaware of the variety and size you have down under....I feel a trip coming on......

djc

twoutes · July 18, 2007, 12:37:34 CET

Be my Guest!!!! The diversity is UNBELIEVABLE? i have only scrapped the surface. Next year l hope to do some trips out of Darwin. I want to target Sailfish, and many other species. If you are interested in doing some fisihng here let me know...l will be happy to help you out. You mentioned that you were from Canada. How long have you been in Malta?

skip · July 18, 2007, 13:24:21 CET

You guys are seriously spoilt for choice down there with an abundance of fish that is incredible. The Austrailian border patrol/fisheries/navy certainly do a good job of keeping those foreign boats out of your fishing zone.

dcassar · July 18, 2007, 15:39:55 CET

I've been living in Malta for 12 years - and I must say I wouldn't change locations for anything...I REALLY LOVE this place - I think since I lived abroad for 22 years I appreciate some of Malta's quirks which others seem to hate...

Didn't to much fishing in Canada - just perch, catfish and if I was lucky a pickeral or two - oh yeah - and Carp as much as you want....

Maybe my folks should of emigrated to Australia - we could of been fishing together...