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Fisher4life
02-11-2008, 10:03 PM
Well the barra season was drawing near to an end, and i was still fishless for this season (although i must admit i didn't put very much effort in)

After getting some motivation from a short trip with Andrew i called up a mate and we planned a trip down livebaiting the fresh. Wednesday i had 3 livies in the bucket, and the first hookup was a very big fish going at least 90cm, but wasn't to be. Being so used to reef fishing i wasn't expecting the fish to jump, as the big girl launched out of the water i froze, and she lept to her freedom. Dropped another 2 fish that night.

Thursday we set off again with 3 big livies and a bucket full of smaller livies, my mate's first livie out was inhaled by a barra around the 70-80cm range, gave a good run and a few nice jumps and as it tired it slowely diverted into the lillies and the knot came undone. That would have been his first barra after living in NQ for 20yrs. my turn next and a after a short wait a barra sucks down the livie and fish on. very short fight with multiple jumps and my wife's voice ringing through my mind "Don't forget to wind" the fish was successfully netted measuring at 75cm even.

We kept the barra so we could put an end to the talk about whether the swamp rats were good eating or not.

Pics are very poor quality as they were from my old phone

Cheers
Josh

rhycebullimore
03-11-2008, 06:09 AM
yeah they aren't bad, soak the fillets in milk an hour or so at least beofe you cook them and you wouldnt be able to tell the difference,

Curmudgeon
06-11-2008, 11:32 AM
Good on ya, Josh! Top way to finish out the season.

So what's your verdict on the eating quality of the freshies?

Were you fishing Aplins or up further?

Cheers,
Brian.

Fisher4life
08-11-2008, 12:43 PM
The Verdict.....

Very fatty oily fish... and the oil from the fillets that is left on your hands after cleaning the fish had a very muddy smell. i made sure to cut all chucks of fat out of the fillets and the blood line out, then it was left to soak in iced slat water overnight.

The taste wasn't as bad as i'd expected, but i know i won't be keeping another for a feed personally. there was only a hint of a mud taste, but that is easily covered with a bit of a white sauce.

Brian, the fish was up a bit further from aplins.

Cheers
Josh