Hi my name is Joe, and l live in Australia. We are very fortunate here to have a good variey of fish species. I wish to share with you some of the species l have caught here in Australia, and if you wish the methods that we use. Maybe you can adapt some of the methods to your fishing in Malta. This is not about how big the fish are but, the diversety of fish in both fresh and salt water.I would like to start with the fish in my profile photo. This is a Snapper which are caught commonly in our bay up to 13kg. We catch the larger ones using squid and pilchards for bait, but the smaller sweet tasting ones up to 1kg are caught on a shell fish we call 'Pipi'. They are great to catch because of the big runs they take when hooked.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_27_43.JPG)
Nice fish :)
Thanks Skip... The snapper here come into the bay to Spawn from the open seas from August throught till February. You can find big schools of them on your depth sounder. When you mark them along the bottom is the best time because they are feeding, and you can really score heaps of fish. Luckily there is a bag limit of ten per angler, and most people do the right thing. We use a rig with a small running sinker, and a heavy leader with the hook right at the end. We need to get the bait on the bottom but with mininum weight so that the fish feels no resisitance when it makes its run with the bait to get away from the rest of the school, hence the large run they make...A little bit like seaguls when you through them food scraps.The smaller snapper are great to catch on light gear with say 4lb line.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_29_21.JPG)
While fishing for snapper it's important to move the bait after a while unless you want to catch a banjo shark or other types of rays. Theses are the vacum cleaners of the bay, cleaning out any scraps off the bottom that they can find. I have had many long battles with stingrays reaching the size of my kitchen table ( 6feet diameter ). Mainly because l didn't want to get spooled, and have to buy new fishing line. I must admit though, its alot of fun chasing them around the bay with the boat trying to retrieve light line. Bango sharks can reach a length of about 5 feet here, though the bigest my father and l have caught is only about 4 feet, as you can see in the photo attached.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_31_10.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_32_03.JPG)
A few times a year we take our boats up north to N.S.W. and fish out of Bermagui, which is a very popular spot for people with trailer boats to venture out and catch marlin. This is because the continental shelf comes within 20km of the coast and is accessable to small boats, in fact l caught my very first Striped Marlin of 75kg from here out of my 16ft boat with only a 40hp outboard on it. Besides marlin there is a variety of tuna, and other pelagic fish to be caught, not to mention the many species of sharks. One of the most common tuna at Bermagui is the Striped Tuna, which is very simular to a Bonito but has less srtipes and no teeth. We sometimes use striped tuna as Marlin Bait by slow trolling them at about 3knots (depending on currents) alive using a 'Bridal Rig'. This is a very visual way to catch Marlin because you can see your bait swimming the whole time and watch a large marlin take it. GREAT STUFF!!! Attached are a couple photos of Striped marlin we caught on very little skitred lures we call Christmas trees, as they are cover with shinny strips of tinsel.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_34_29.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_35_04.JPG)
In Cairns, if you want some quick action, just put on a small yellow fin tuna for bait. We call them 'Jelly Beans' because the marlin swallow them down like lollies. These baits normally only last a few minutes before something takes them....usually a large shark but hopefully a bigger Marlin. I once caught a Black Marlin estimated at 800lb using a live yellow fin tuna as bait. We saw some really hot action that day!
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_36_39.JPG)
wow what nice fish you caught ...
Thank you!! As l keep saying, we are very lucky to have so many opportunities for great fishing here. But, remember.. we to are an island, but much bigger and sourounded each side by oceans and seas. Malta is a much, much smaller island in the medeteranean sea surrounded by many countries, yet you still seem to catch some good fish, from what l gather from this Fishing Forum. It really is a credit to you all.
Striped Marlin....What can l say? This to me is the most favorite fish to catch here. As l mention previously l caught my first Marlin a fair few years ago....or should l say the Marlin caught me! By that l mean since that day l have been caught up about Marlin. There habits, migration and whatever else l can learn about them. I can't get enough. My office pays tribute to them with the many pictures and statues l have on display. One thing I truly like about them is their abilty to give you a fight. Not only their acrobatic jumbs, but their long slugs down deep. Some times it can be a real challenge to get them to the boat.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_37_55.jpg)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_38_22.jpg)
man they are very nice fish some thimg to be very proud of ;D
Cairns really is a great spot to fish with the many varites of fish to catch on the Great Barrier Reef. Without trying to metion the hundreds of species you can catch of the bottom, some of the fish we catch while trollong 'Rapal Lures' are Mack Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Barracutta, Giant Trevelly,and occasionaly a Long Tom
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_41_08.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_41_39.JPG)
Spanish Mackrel, and Giant Trevally GT
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_43_09.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_43_44.JPG)
wow man. im really impressed . i knew that australia has some very good fishing grounds but catching a marlin on a 16 foot boat is damn impressive. i wish we had fish as big as that here in malta ! but alas, the mediterranean is heavily overfished , so a large fish is a rarity
Hi Sergio. Nice to hear from you. There are a few places in NSW that when the currents are right fishermen catch Marlin and Tuna off the rocks. They actually use childrens blow up pools as live bait tanks, and use party balloons as floats to get theit live baits away from the rocks. One guy caught a Black marlin off the rocks that was about 120Kg. His problem was to get his Marlin out of the sea because he was so high up. Luckily he was able to call in a boat that was passing by to take his marlin ashore for him. Also at a place called South West Rocks juvenille marlin are caught within 1 km off the beach. Some fishermen fish out of small aluminium boats and kyaks. Its CRAZY!!!
I see lots of listings on this forum about 'Lumpuki'. We catch them here as well, but more so as a by catch while fisihng for Marlin. They are great sports fish to catch as they change colurs and jump well out of water during the fight. They are the quickest growing fish in the sea. I am sure that some large ones are caught in Malta as well? Check out the attached photos of one we caught on live 'Slimey Mackrel' bait we had rigged up for a Striped marlin we saw lurking around. The 'Dolphin Fish' attacked the bait with no mercy, and the marlin swam away dissapointed.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_45_21.jpg)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_46_00.JPG)
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.
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!!!
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_47_29.jpg)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_48_19.JPG)
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!!!
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_49_29.JPG)
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?
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.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_50_45.JPG)
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.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_52_11.jpg)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_52_43.jpg)
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'
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_54_09.JPG)
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.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_55_08.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_55_32.JPG)
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
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.
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....
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_57_25.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_57_51.jpg)
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
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?
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.
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...
It's funny that the choices our parents make when migratting controls our destiny. Remember it's who you are now that matters. I ofen think that l would be better off if my parents migrated to Queensland inststead of Victoria....But maybe then l would not love fisihng as l do now! Our fisheries officers do a great job hear, and are often put in situations that are life threatening. But the law is taken very seriusly here with no tolerance or bribery. For example harvesting abolone here is a multi million doller industry, and some people do take extreme measures to break the law, to the extent that firearms are carried. Also the fishermen here sometimes report illegal actions by others as this in long term protects our fishery. Lets face it, there is no need to keep undersize fish here, but sometimes people get desperate to take something home.
A great fresh water fish to catch here is the Barrumandi. These fish can reach lengths of 1.2 mertre, and give an almighty fight with some spectacular head shakes. I was recently lucky enough to be invited up north to Cape York where l did a spot of fresh water fishing in flooded creaks. My best fish was 87cm long, with plenty of smaller ones to fill in the day.
One night on the boat we noticed a lot of sharks at the back of the boat. Proberly attracted by the lights and food scrapps. So we put out a heavy hand line and wrangled one onto the boat by hand. Boy don't they pull a bit!!!
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_59_32.JPG)
wow that really is amazing your fishing pics always seem to amaze me.Did it take long to get on board?
No, only a few minutes. Because we were using a short heavy leader, and hand gloves, we basicly just hung on for dear life. All the sharks we caught were put back off coarse, but man did we have a few laughs.
Its not long now before l come to Malta!!!! I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you guys, and even thoough we live half a world away, we still have common interests. Leading up to my trip l would like to share with you some of my best marlin capture pictures...Check out this marlin leaping out of the sea while trying to 'shake off' a bait.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_00_40.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_01_03.JPG)
Hey Twoutes..
It will be great to have you - and I hope you catch some great fish while you are down...although I doubt you will be catching those size of fish...
Thanks DCassar. Maybe we can catch up with each other for a drink while l'm there? If you like email me your mobile number and l'll give you a ring while l'm there. I will be staying in Sliema. In the meanyime check out these shots.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_02_20.JPG)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_02_44.JPG)
3 Day to go before l leave Austalia. Looking forward to some hot weather and a lot of time in and on the water. I hear it has been really hot there??? This picture is of the largest Striped Marlin l have caught in my boat...it weighed in at 133.8Kg
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_04_17.jpg)
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_8_47_29.jpg)
Just a quick note to thank Skip for taking me out fishing on Tuesday. We managed to catch a small lumpuka, a 15kg and 7kg Bluefin Tuna. What a Buzz!!!! Thanks Skip!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Glad you enjoyed it Joe :)
Really nice job :o :o :o :o :o
We can only dream!!
Amazing fish!! :o Congrats
I would like to add another picture to this link of the first 'Big Eye Tuna', that l have ever caught. Though l would have liked to catch it on a rod instead of a 600lb marlin leader by hand. Man do these fish pull hard. We swam with a whale shark and saw these down deeper....It did'nt take much to entice them to the surface and have so fun with them.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_07_38.JPG)
do you work between fishing ?? :D
Yes, l do a little bit of work every now and then. I am self employed so l don't have to ask a boss for leave. I am also semi retired, so it makes it easy to get away when l want. I'm off to Townsville in a few weeks, and hope to hit the creeks for some 'Jacks' and 'Sootey Grunters', and whaterever else l can find. Hope to post some more photos for you to enjoy.
hi twoutes, how did the fishing go?? any more photos , by the way super five still not won so have next week to give it another go keeping my fingers crossed maybe i'll join you in semi retirement cause now its 350,000lm that 1,000,000 us$
I went out for a spot of Calamari squid fishing yesterday. the bag limit hear is 10 squid peer person, so l took a friend and caught 20 squid. we used 'yozuri Squid Jigs',fishing on kelp beds in 8 meters of water. We tried a range of colours, but they only took green ones this time. Guess l'll be eating alot of calamari rings for a while.
(http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/gallery/1_16_03_08_9_08_45.jpg)
even calamari you have a lot more than us. caught only 4 from september till now. it seems that thay dont want to bite
Very nice size!!
was tempted to try it for the first time this year but got a new job now so im finding it very hard to find time for any fishing :'(
Busumark. I don't know about Malta but over here the squid come on the bite really good after they have bred. You can actually see their white egg sacks stuck on the kelp from the surface. Thats when we go out for them. Also it's best to catch them with baits stuck through a long shank with spikes on the bottom. We stick the bait on the shaft tail first so when you jig it it looks like a fleeing fish. THe best bait is ' Tommy Ruff'. 'Yozuri squid jigs come in many colours and some days they are very picky. Hope this information cam improve your catch. Good Luck
twoutes its different here. For one thing u dont have nets closing every creek as we do here. Anything that swims is not given a chance to get close to shore so breading and settling in shallow waters is heavily disturbed. This disrupts the food chain and the results are obvious.
We usually fish in approx 40mts of water and even deeper. Personally i have never caught anything in 8mts. If anyone has please let us know.
Guys dont forget that in Aussie its summer..........
in malta the best time for clamari is supposed to be from november till march but my friend in september caught a lot but now he is catching nothing and he goes everytime the weather is good for the boat. i tried the way you said twoutes with a fish but never caught one like that