IT was virtually shoulder to shoulder at the Nelson Bay breakwater when Tilligerry’s Craig Brown and Max Harrison turned up at first light to get stuck into the blackfish over the long weekend.

Travelling schools of luderick (bronzies to the locals)  were on the bite and the dynamic duo made the most of it.

Using cabbage weed for bait, they each had their bag limit of ten fish in a  very short time.

The fish were full of spawn, in prime condition  and some topped the scales at over a kilo.

Craig gets his supply of bait from the rock pools around Newcastle although the rocky foreshore areas of Lemon Tree Passage and Mallabula are  good sources at low water.

“From now until about August, the waters around the new swimming pool at Lemon Tree Passage and the marina come alive with luderick.”

By floating baits past the piles or alongside the moored boats, fisherfolk are rarely disappointed.

Best results are achieved from a moored tinny as fishing off the marina is banned.

Blackfish make great eating but the secret is in the preparation.

Put the live fish in a keeper net while fishing and bleed them before removing the fillets from the frame.

Scrub the black rib cage lining off with a wet hessian bag and slice the skin off the fillet. Cut out the red lateral line and you’re ready to go.

 

By Geoff WALKER