Off-Topic

Oceanarium

Member
Nov 8, 2011
329
274
Perth
Sand flathead was once the most abundant fish species in PPB. Between 2000 and 2010, sand flathead stocks in PPB declined by 90% and continue to decline at a rate of 15% of the remaining stock per year.

The environmental factors that triggered the decline in sand flathead abundance are not known. The decline in PPB has coincided with:

  • Prolonged drought conditions (1998–2009)
  • The introduction, and subsequent expansion, of the Northern Pacific Starfish (1997–present)
  • A significant decline (>30%) in nutrient inputs in PPB from the Western Treatment Plant (the major nutrient source to PPB).
Prior to 1994, sand flathead populations in PPB were typified by episodic recruitment events that were important in sustaining population levels; since 2000 there has been minimal recruitment.
sand flathead stock
 

adam64

Member
May 13, 2012
17
10
Very interesting article on flatties there. My mate managed to spot one hiding in some plants when we were spear fishing today...approximately 450mm
 

Sarg

Member
Dec 11, 2011
2,559
926
Cheltenham
Up in qld they brought in tighter regs for the dusky flathead a few years back to help stop their numbers getting to low ( though the pros can still pillage ) with a min/max size limit. It used to be min 30cm now it 40-70. Under 40 let it go over 70 let her go.
 

Oceanarium

Member
Nov 8, 2011
329
274
Perth
Its a good philosophy to let the big girls continue to breed, flaty's are pretty tough and release well. If what VIC fisheries are saying is correct about numbers that is pretty dire only 10% left and lost 15% of the last ten percent for the past three years..... that only leaves about 6% :eek Much like the coral numbers up north in some locations.

We have had some tough regs brought in here and they seem to be working well. I caught that dhue'y on the first day back from a total ban on catching bottom fish. The problem is these days you go to all the effort to go fishing and meet the bag limit in 5 mins. o_0 The fish don't release well, most die so got to go find something else to do.
 

Sarg

Member
Dec 11, 2011
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Cheltenham
Popped down to sorrento pier this morning for an hour. Didn't have high expectations as we only had a few cheapy jigs (I use the good ones to keep losses down...but I've lost them all lol) but still managed one which was all he wanted :)

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Joshwaaaa

Member
Jul 22, 2011
1,326
634
Headed to the gold coast last week to visit my sister. I booked us both in for a $90 5 hour charter, not expecting too much as it was half the price of the other charters around it.

Turned out to be extremely good value for money, with 40 spotted mackrel landed on board and countless other bust off and bite offs. Will be booking them again on my next visit, hopefully for cobia season

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Sarg

Member
Dec 11, 2011
2,559
926
Cheltenham
Nice work! How many did you get?

Spotties are awesome, only ever got onto them once but such good fun and tasty!
 

Joshwaaaa

Member
Jul 22, 2011
1,326
634
Me and my sister got 3 each (I'm actually holding 4 in the pic ;)). The main disappointment of the charter is that they had heaps of huge overhead bottom bashing setup's to go around but they were only taking unweighted pillies on the surface which they only had 5-6 spin reels which were good for this. So me and my sis had to take it in turns. Still stoked to get a few decent fish though.
 

Joshwaaaa

Member
Jul 22, 2011
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634
I was leading the local salmon weigh in for a few days with this fish, went 3.1kg which is huge for a metro adelaide fish. they catch them to 6kg+ on the west coast. Think I got knocked off the lead by a 3.3kg fish from the same school a few days later

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we are having a cracker salmon season so far and it has hardly even started yet, atleast it's easy to spot the schools, you just look for these fools the water is freezing around here already

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Oceanarium

Member
Nov 8, 2011
329
274
Perth
I like to use more natural look ones, I caught those on a dirty green one with stripes like a tiger prawn. Just a cheapy BCF one.