Winter whiting in Morton Bay

[Rumbo]

We have just moved to Woody Point and are having a few probs getting a feed of fish. Maybe we were spoilt where we came from or maybe it is local knowledge.
Everyone is talking winter whiting, can,t find them in the fisheries web sight, one local told me they are just like a small "ordinary" whiting and a local bait shop says there is no suck animal so the big question.
Are winter whiting just small whiting being taken illegally or can someone tell me how to differentiate the two species?

[Cheech]

Strange that the local bait shop would say that. They are definately a different fish to a summer whiting. You can easily tell the difference because a summer or sand whiting is silver all over, but a winter whiting has very distinct blotches all over it.

Do you have a boat?

[Rumbo]

I just fould a picture of the two main types of whiting in another chat. Yes I have a boat. 12ft but of a very heavy seaworthy design. looking for a second hand sounder. It appears we may have been throwing away our dinner because we have been catching quite a few spotty whiting and only have kept the few over 27 cm. Any tips or local knowledge greatly appreciated. The crabs are bloody good up here though.

[Cheech]

Rumbo, I think you may have been throwing away a few more than you think. The legal limit even for a Summer whiting is only 23cm and Winter whiting do not have a limit. though you would probably place your own size limit on winter whiting as to when it is worth the trouble.

Being at Woody Point and that size boat, you are in the perfect place and a very suitable boat. I will PM you with a bit of info on where and when in the area. You have access to the river and all the redcliffe reefs. As well, you can access deception bay when it is calm and chase whiting on the flats half way to Bribie.

[logan_whiting]

winter whiting are winter whiting they have spots on them, thats how u tell them apart .

[Rumbo]

Thanx to the three people who sent me PMs on fishing around Woody Point. Local knowledge is invaluable. If you see a tinnie out there by the name of Rumbo say 'gooday.

Pete

[Rumbo]

Well I'm convinced there are winter whiting. Diver Whiting. I can't find any reference to them on the Qld fisheries site so I guess there is no bag limit. So I appologise to all the people I've seem with them who I thought were arseholes.
I'll be out there chasing them now too but will restrict it to a feed.

Thanks for your input and PMs

Still think the bloke cutting the throat of the little hammerhead on the hornybrook bridge the other day was a little uneducated though

[Fishin_Dan]

Rumbo, Ive heard that the Winter Whiting are biting well around the Compass Adjustment Buoy at the moment.... Might be worth a shot out there.

[PinHead]

the Pine River usually has lots of winter whiting this time of year

[masterdusky]

good t osee some guys helping out ... ;D