i've been an ardent fisho for quite a while now...got bitten by the bug whilst i was studying in townsville, australia from 1990 to 1992...every single weekend for 2 years, i was out fishing/crabbing/prawning etc with my group of fish-mad friends (God, i miss those days)...over the years, i've caught my fair share of decent-sized to big fish and i never get sick of having my arms stretched by hard-running, determined piscatorial species...unfortunately, with the advent of time and added responsibilities, i find myself with increasingly less time to indulge in this one of my favourite past-times...sigh...
anyways, below are some of my all-time favourite fish...with pix and some background information...
anyways, below are some of my all-time favourite fish...with pix and some background information...
personal records for each species as follows:-
- barramundi - approx 4 kg (australia)
- giant trevally - approx 25 kg (maldives)
- queenfish - approx 7 kg (australia)
- dorado - approx 8 kg (malaysia)
- wahoo - haven't had opportunity to tangle with it
- yellowfin tuna - approx 10 kg (maldives)
- threadfin salmon - approx 2.5 kg (australia)
- coral trout - approx 5 kg (australia)
- tanguigue/spano mack - approx 4kg (australia)
- cobia - approx 6 kg (australia)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Barramundi
(Lates calcarifer)
Other common names:
Seabass.
Sea Perch.
Barra.
Identification:
Upper body dark and lower body silver with a white belly.
Dark fins. First dorsal fin spiky and triangular.
Bright and flashing eyes. Sharp gill plates and overshot lower jaw.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Brackish water in rivers, lagoons and mangrove creeks.
Must return to saltwater in order to breed.
Fishing methods:
Spinning or slow trolling with small lures and minnows.
Fishing at anchor or from shore with live or dead prawns, mullet or herring.
Fighting characteristics:
A fast and powerful fighter that will dive for shelter.
(Lates calcarifer)
Other common names:
Seabass.
Sea Perch.
Barra.
Identification:
Upper body dark and lower body silver with a white belly.
Dark fins. First dorsal fin spiky and triangular.
Bright and flashing eyes. Sharp gill plates and overshot lower jaw.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Brackish water in rivers, lagoons and mangrove creeks.
Must return to saltwater in order to breed.
Fishing methods:
Spinning or slow trolling with small lures and minnows.
Fishing at anchor or from shore with live or dead prawns, mullet or herring.
Fighting characteristics:
A fast and powerful fighter that will dive for shelter.
Giant Trevally
(Caranx ignobilis)
Other common names:
GT.
Great Trevally.
Identification:
Upper body dark gray and lower body silver.
Blunt head and large eyes.
Curved and long pectoral fins.
Keel at junction of body and tail.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Around reefs and rocky islands.
Around peaks on outside of outer reefs.
Fishing methods:
Trolling dead or live Mullet, Mackerel or Scad.
Trolling lures, minnows, spoons or poppers.
Deep jigging at drift or anchor.
Casting poppers.
Fly casting with chum.
Fighting characteristics:
An extremely tough deep fighter, that always heads for obstructions on the sea bed.
Queenfish
(Scomberoides commersonnianus)
Other common names:
Queenie.
Leatherskin.
Identification:
Upper body blue-green, lower body silver with golden tints and shiny silver belly.
Large dark spots along body and a forked tail.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Around islands, rocks and inshore reefs.
Fishing methods:
Trolling smaller lures, minnows, spoons and poppers.
Casting minnows, spoons and poppers.
Fly-casting.
Fighting characteristics:
A very fast and active jumper
(Scomberoides commersonnianus)
Other common names:
Queenie.
Leatherskin.
Identification:
Upper body blue-green, lower body silver with golden tints and shiny silver belly.
Large dark spots along body and a forked tail.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Around islands, rocks and inshore reefs.
Fishing methods:
Trolling smaller lures, minnows, spoons and poppers.
Casting minnows, spoons and poppers.
Fly-casting.
Fighting characteristics:
A very fast and active jumper
Dorado
(Coryphaena hippurus)
Other common names:
Dolphin Fish.
Mahi Mahi (Hawaii).
Gold Mackerel (Scandinavia).
Identification:
Upper body green or electric blue. Sides gold with flashes of green.
The male has an upright head. Female has a rounded head.
Dorsal fin runs almost full length of the body.
The male is larger and heavier than the female.
Temperature range:
21 - 28 Celsius (70 - 82 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
In open ocean around logs, flotsam, weed lines and in warm current.
Around buoys and FAD’s (Fish Aggregating Devices).
Fishing methods:
Trolling dead Mullet, Mackerel or Squid.
Trolling strip baits, often in combination with plastic squid.
Trolling smaller lures, konaheads, minnows and poppers.
Drifting with small live bait, often with chum.
Fighting characteristics:
Surface runs in combination with acrobatic jumps and direction changes.
(Coryphaena hippurus)
Other common names:
Dolphin Fish.
Mahi Mahi (Hawaii).
Gold Mackerel (Scandinavia).
Identification:
Upper body green or electric blue. Sides gold with flashes of green.
The male has an upright head. Female has a rounded head.
Dorsal fin runs almost full length of the body.
The male is larger and heavier than the female.
Temperature range:
21 - 28 Celsius (70 - 82 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
In open ocean around logs, flotsam, weed lines and in warm current.
Around buoys and FAD’s (Fish Aggregating Devices).
Fishing methods:
Trolling dead Mullet, Mackerel or Squid.
Trolling strip baits, often in combination with plastic squid.
Trolling smaller lures, konaheads, minnows and poppers.
Drifting with small live bait, often with chum.
Fighting characteristics:
Surface runs in combination with acrobatic jumps and direction changes.
Wahoo
(Acanthocybium solandri)
Other common names:
Jack Mackerel.
Peto.
Ono (Hawaii).
Identification:
Upper body dark blue or electric blue with waved stripes. Lower body silver.
Overshot lower jaw.
Maxilla (jaw hinge) not visible.
Dorsal fin curved and highest at rear.
Razor sharp teeth.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Reefs where warm current is running close inshore.
In open ocean around bait fish, logs and current lines.
Over deep reefs and holes on the sea bed.
Fishing methods:
Trolling lures, minnows or feather lures close to reefs.
Trolling strip bait, often in combination with plastic squid.
Drifting live bait mullet, yellowtail scad or mackerel.
Fighting characteristics:
(Acanthocybium solandri)
Other common names:
Jack Mackerel.
Peto.
Ono (Hawaii).
Identification:
Upper body dark blue or electric blue with waved stripes. Lower body silver.
Overshot lower jaw.
Maxilla (jaw hinge) not visible.
Dorsal fin curved and highest at rear.
Razor sharp teeth.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Reefs where warm current is running close inshore.
In open ocean around bait fish, logs and current lines.
Over deep reefs and holes on the sea bed.
Fishing methods:
Trolling lures, minnows or feather lures close to reefs.
Trolling strip bait, often in combination with plastic squid.
Drifting live bait mullet, yellowtail scad or mackerel.
Fighting characteristics:
A very fast surface run (Recorded 96 km/h), often followed by shorter runs in mid water.
Yellowfin Tuna
(Thunnus albacares)
Other common names:
Ahi (Hawaii).
Yellowfin.
Identification:
Upper body black with blue overtones.
Yellow stripes along body and silvery belly.
Finlets yellow with black edges and yellow caudal keel.
Adult fish have very long yellow second dorsal and anal fins.
Temperature range:
18 - 30 Celsius (64 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Open ocean along current lines and temperature changes.
Fishing methods:
Trolling lures, konaheads and plastic squid.
Trolling natural or strip baits often in combination with plastic squid.
Trolling in front of dolphin schools.
Drifting or at anchor with live bait and chum.
Fighting characteristics:
One of the world's best, fastest and most determined deep fighter.
(Thunnus albacares)
Other common names:
Ahi (Hawaii).
Yellowfin.
Identification:
Upper body black with blue overtones.
Yellow stripes along body and silvery belly.
Finlets yellow with black edges and yellow caudal keel.
Adult fish have very long yellow second dorsal and anal fins.
Temperature range:
18 - 30 Celsius (64 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Open ocean along current lines and temperature changes.
Fishing methods:
Trolling lures, konaheads and plastic squid.
Trolling natural or strip baits often in combination with plastic squid.
Trolling in front of dolphin schools.
Drifting or at anchor with live bait and chum.
Fighting characteristics:
One of the world's best, fastest and most determined deep fighter.
Threadfin Salmon
(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)
Other common names:
Fourfinger Threadfin.
Cooktown Salmon.
Bluntnose Salmon.
Identification:
Complete body covered with small scales.
Upper body grey-green, silvery sides and brilliant silver belly.
Dark edges on the tail and the large second dorsal fin.
Blunt nose and four threaded pectoral fins.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Shallow and calm water with muddy bottom in salt, brackish and fresh water.
Fishing methods:
Lure casting with spinners and minnows.
Flyfishing wit dry as well as wet flies.
Baitfishing with live prawns.
Fighting characteristics:
An extremely fast fighter, that often surprises with a few extra runs.
(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)
Other common names:
Fourfinger Threadfin.
Cooktown Salmon.
Bluntnose Salmon.
Identification:
Complete body covered with small scales.
Upper body grey-green, silvery sides and brilliant silver belly.
Dark edges on the tail and the large second dorsal fin.
Blunt nose and four threaded pectoral fins.
Temperature range:
21 - 30 Celsius (70 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Shallow and calm water with muddy bottom in salt, brackish and fresh water.
Fishing methods:
Lure casting with spinners and minnows.
Flyfishing wit dry as well as wet flies.
Baitfishing with live prawns.
Fighting characteristics:
An extremely fast fighter, that often surprises with a few extra runs.
Coral Trout
(Plectropomus leopardus)
Other common names:
Leopard Coralgrouper.
Blue-dotted Coral Trout.
Identification:
Red body with small blue spots. Orange to red belly.
Spines on first half of the dorsal fin.
Large eyes and a large mouth with overshot lower jaw.
Temperature range:
15 - 30 Celsius (59 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Coral-rich areas of lagoon reefs and mid-shelf reefs.
Fishing methods:
Fishing near the bottom with squid or dead fish.
Fighting characteristics:
Aggressive strike followed by a powerful pull for nearby obstructions on the sea bed.
(Plectropomus leopardus)
Other common names:
Leopard Coralgrouper.
Blue-dotted Coral Trout.
Identification:
Red body with small blue spots. Orange to red belly.
Spines on first half of the dorsal fin.
Large eyes and a large mouth with overshot lower jaw.
Temperature range:
15 - 30 Celsius (59 - 86 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Coral-rich areas of lagoon reefs and mid-shelf reefs.
Fishing methods:
Fishing near the bottom with squid or dead fish.
Fighting characteristics:
Aggressive strike followed by a powerful pull for nearby obstructions on the sea bed.
Tanguigue
(Scomberomorus commerson)
Other common names:
Tinggiri.
Spaniard.
Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel.
Kingfish.
King Mackerel.
Identification:
Upper body dark blue. Lower body silver with narrow blue-grey stripes.
Maxilla (jaw hinge) visible.
First dorsal highest in front, tapering to rear.
Temperature range:
18 - 31 Celsius (65 - 88 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Along current lines, continental shelf drop off, reefs and islands.
In open ocean around bait fish.
Fishing methods:
Trolling mullet, squid or strip baits often in combination with plastic squid.
Slow deep trolling with bait or lures.
Trolling lures, minnows and spoons.
Drifting or at anchor with live bait and chum.
Fighting characteristics:
Long runs near surface, often followed by shorter runs in mid water.
(Scomberomorus commerson)
Other common names:
Tinggiri.
Spaniard.
Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel.
Kingfish.
King Mackerel.
Identification:
Upper body dark blue. Lower body silver with narrow blue-grey stripes.
Maxilla (jaw hinge) visible.
First dorsal highest in front, tapering to rear.
Temperature range:
18 - 31 Celsius (65 - 88 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Along current lines, continental shelf drop off, reefs and islands.
In open ocean around bait fish.
Fishing methods:
Trolling mullet, squid or strip baits often in combination with plastic squid.
Slow deep trolling with bait or lures.
Trolling lures, minnows and spoons.
Drifting or at anchor with live bait and chum.
Fighting characteristics:
Long runs near surface, often followed by shorter runs in mid water.
Cobia
(Rachycentron canadum)
Other common names:
Black Kingfish.
Crab Eater.
Lemon Fish.
Ling.
Identification:
Upper body dark brown with two cream coloured side lines.
Brown sides and cream coloured belly.
The head is flatish. Very low and knobby first dorsal fin. Long second dorsal fin.
Temperature range:
21 - 26 Celsius (70 - 79 Fahrenheit).
Typical location:
Around coral and rocky reefs.
Around wrecks, flotsam, buoys and FAD’s (Fish Aggregating Devices).
Under feeding rays and whale sharks.
Fishing methods:
Trolling dead mullet or strip bait.
Trolling live mullet, mackerel or scad.
Slow trolling with downrigger and live or dead bait.
Drifting or at anchor with live or dead mullet, mackerel or crab.
Fighting characteristics:
Very tough midwater runs with dives to reefs or other structures.
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