Good luderick session

[Gorey1]

Spent my day off yesterday down on the rocks trying for luderick.
Took a little while for the first one, but then they were on! Took 3 home and dropped about 4 or 5 more. Including one that I netted, dehooked and was about to bleed - till it kicked out of my grip and back into the water! Luckily I hadn't cut him so he survived.
Great day off. I reckon they're the best fun to catch and very satisfying when you get it right.
And the best fish dinner I've had.

[chief]

Nice capture,were they local fish or coast?

[SQUIDDA]

Nice fish Gorey1.They are great fun hey.Cabbage weed?

[Gorey1]

Thanks guys.
Caught them on the gold coast using local cabbage.
There's some around Brisbane too if you're in the right place at the right time, but the GC has always served me better.
Cheers.

[Benno1]

what sized hooks do you use for luderick???...their traps look really small...whiteing hooks???
cheers for the piccie

Mrs Benno1

[Gorey1]

Yeah mate they have really small mouths so I use small long shanks. Think they were no 8s, but I've used no. 4's before.
You can get little green square-looking hooks designed for luderick but I've never used them.

[sleepygreg]

Size 6 - 8 when using cabbage, and size 10-12 when using weed. Long shanks tend to bend too easily and can scare off touchy fish, especially if there are bigger fish around. Mustad Sneck pattern, gamakatsu panfish (green or brown) are the preferred patterns by most serious luderick fisherman (typed that out three times before I found a politically correct term). Not only do they have small mouths, they have very soft mouths, hence the use of long wippy rods to absorb their twisting runs, most fish seem to get lip hooked.

I have been fishing for luderick for 40 years (though not since I moved to brissy 3 years ago). And I am one of the few serious luderick fishermen that are quite happy to pass on any knowledge I have on fishing for these tough and tasty little fighters. (all of my experience is in the Sydney/woollongong/Port Macquarie/Camden Haven area for these fish - both ocean rocks and estuary.

I am by no means an expert.....but if you want any more tips or info, please ask and I will try to help.

Cheers
Greg

[sleepygreg]

Great catch there Gorey1.....good to see some up this way.

[Cammy]

Nice fish Gorey, i havent yet learnt the art of fishing for luderick, so your 1 up on me lol.

Cam

[Gorey1]

Those sneck hooks are the ones I was thinking about. I've never had trouble with long shanks, but I'll try the blackfish-specific hooks one day and see if my catch improves.