Hi folks,
Off to Wivenhoe this weekend and likely to end up with a few Catties - I have just found out they have spines that can deliver a nasty sting, so can someone please tell me the best / safest way of handling these fish?
Cheers.
Hey Teapot,
The best way is to use lip grippers to hold them or stick your thumb in there gob and hold ther bottom jaw as they have no teeth. The second way just be very carefull where the hooks /lure is. A cheap pair of lip grippers are only about $19
Cheers Foxie
Always Think Like A Fish - No Matter How Weird It Gets
In addition to what Foxie said. once you have the fish safely secured in the grippers and you lure removed...................REPEATEDLY BLUDGEN THE FISH ON THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE HARDEST AND BIGGEST IMPLEMENT YOU CAN LAY YOUR HANDS ON!!
What kind of catties are they....eel tail or fork ???
You can hold them safely behind the head.
Slide your hand up their body until the dorsal spine sits between thumb & pointer finger then hold on.
Treat unwanted fish with respect......
Have caught tonnes of catties at awoonga and in the Fittzroy. The best way is definitely use a lip gripper and release boat side. They only have spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins so beware of this. Also remember to remove the slime so often left on your line after catching a cattie, otherwise the only thing you should expect to catch there after will the more catties, just wipe the stuff off.
If you get spiked cover or immerse the wound with HOT water, as hot as bearable. This will deamminate the protein (break down) and reduce the symptoms/effects of the toxin.
Cheers
Easy, dont handle them at all. Long nose pliers are good, grab the treble and shake them off. Dont even need to get them in your boat (they'll slime everything) hold them over the side and shake them free.
Cheers
Jas
Razor sharp Puma knife... straight to the throat
They are becoming more of a neusance up here lately (influx of water... pushing them out of the Creeks) so I too am keen to find out how to deal with them if I catch one (touch wood!)
The 'dont touch them at all' approach sounds good to me... shake them into an iced Esky and take the bastards home.
Cheers
Theo
TT
If you really must kill one for whatever reason, they have a small marking on the top of their head, forward of the dorsal fin. This mark is above a slight gap in the skull, insert the knife, most humane way to kill a cattie, but only in the most dire of circumstances.
Other than that, I can't add much except as stated, be vewy careful they hurt like hell if they get you
Don't bring them into the boat!! They stink the carpet out for days, just when you think it's gone, another waft cames past. pliers will be you best friend.
Cheers Kim.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says...
'Oh Shit.....she's awake'
But be careful as they will often void their bowells while you're doing this and you end up with muddy sh*t splattered over the side of your lovely white boat!!Originally Posted by the_matrix
Pete
At the risk of getting offside with some on my third post (you get that) catties or any other fish for that matter don't need to be bashed to death because they're considered a pest.
At further risk of ridicule (I got no pride
As for treating the injury, hot water's great but so to is pi$$ing on it, when its all you got its worth the shot, the pain is pretty intense.
Seen the result of a cattie left on the rocks to die, got trod on a few days later, the spine went through a wetboot and right into the foot, poor fella was in a bad way by the time they got him to a hospital.
Always carry Stingose with you when there are catties around. It works ok and the pain only lasts a little while unlike all day without it. It really really hurts!
The catties in Big W grow to over two feet long and while a bit ugly to look at taste ok when filleted and done on the BBQ.
Good luck
Phil
BTW, I guess you know that they have closed off the decent fishing spots and you need a key to open the gates and get in?
Phil
Some heavy info above. I dont let them get too close, the large ones can be fairly strong.
In most cases they have taken my hook and I cut the line and get back to serious fishing. No risk. Just a lost hook.
They have there place on the planet, when I find out I will let you know.
Regards Gordon
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