North Harbour 11/03/06

[armagh6]

Me again!
Out on the dingy around North Harbour at 7.00am, starting at the marina on high tide for flathead and then to deeper waters for snapper and trevally. Caught a few flatties and managed a 37cm/700g bream (new pb). Found out the bloody spikes on bream aren't good on a PVC boat! Also, got quite a few small snapper. (They're great fun on light gear).

Was wondering a couple of things:
1) Is this a dusky in the photo?
2) 36cm is the min legal size - I've never filleted one, and wondering what's the minimum size you recommend to get a decent fillet?
3) Any tips on how best way to hold a flatty to prevent getting stabbed?
cheers
Sean

[Peril]

Well done Sean - nice bream.

It is a dusky - min 36cm. Between 40 and 50cm is the best for flathead. Big enough for a decent size fillet, small enough to be moist and sweet.

Small flatties are the most likely to spike you. You can either open their mouth and hold them by the lower lip (not recommended for larger fish with big sharp teeth) or turn them on their back, slip your hand around the body and press your hand on its anus. This seems to relax the fish, though they might still try a squirm or two. Another alternative is to wear a filleting or indoor cricket glove.

Bait or lures?

[armagh6]

Thanks for the reply Dave. Yes it was a nice bream. Nice on the plate too, after pan frying with flour. I've definitely exceeded my 150g limit for Sydney Harbour fish this month!
I had heard about holding flatties by the lip, but haven't been game to try it. I caught the flatty in the photo on a 3" pink lemonade bass minnow sp. The rest were all on prawns (including 2 other flatties).
Not a bad day.
How about you...any fun on the kayak recently? (When I get extra storage - and dosh -, I think I'll upgade to a yak).
Sean

[nuggos]

decent bream

[armagh6]

Geez nuggets you've a lot of free time on your hands these days.

[flat rock]

Hes the new young gun!!