spotty bud
Spotted Mackeral
School Mackeral
Mongrel hybrid with white patch on fin???
Got a mack off Noosa today in my kayak and initially called it for a schoolie as it had a very evident white patch on the dorsal fin even though it had the large number of smaller spots. Others have question me since saying that it is a spotty.
Only have this one piccie to show without the white patch being visible at all. What say you?
Fish went 78cm so had no issues in regards to mis-identification and keeping etc.
Spottie
JT
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CALL SIGN : JT OR SC552(social club member)
There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges
Up here we Use Hussar as baits for real RED FISHS (SHSIIFDER)
I'm no expert (only ever landed one that was clearly a schoolie), and can't see the white spot in the pic, but from the DPI website:
"Although similar to the spotted mackerel, school mackerel are distinguished by having fewer, less distinct spots over the body, and a dorsal fin with a distinct white patch."
From that 'definition', assuming the DPI is accurate, I would think that the white spot would make it a School Mac?
I know its a spottie anyway,
But also, how long has it been dead, schoolies dont usually keep their spots long after death (and being bled)
from your pic i would call it a doggy..as the spots look a bit larger than on a spotty. But usually the white patch on the first Dorsal is a dead giveaway. other are the colour of the pec and pelvic fins and the ray count on the dorsals. Sometimes very hard as they all fade to grey after death. Spotties "spots are usually larger than the pupil but smaller than the eye", doggies are usually equal or larger than the eye. In my experience Spotties also have a more vivid greenie/blue colour on the back when they first come out of the water, and the spots are more defined, and much more plentiful but more concentratedabove the lateral line. But thats just my observation....others may have observed variations. (Also dont discount Hybrids....they arent exactly unknown).
Greg
just-chips, thats a spotty for sure, ive been trying to get out there a bit recently in the yak aswell, great fun fishing, only have managed a few bonito so far though
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_14909.htm doggie
important.......first dorsal fin - 16-18 spines (usually 17)
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_14912.htm spottie
important........first dorsal fin has 20-22 spines
IMO, School Mackerel or Doggie Mackerel.
LP.
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It's a spot, doggies have bigger/less spots.
Its very hard from the pic but I lean towards doggie due to the larger blurred spots near the head and the white patch. The rear end is all Spotty so the hybrid is a distict probability
Have yougot the frame to do a fin count?
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I'd say good with a dusting of flour and into the pan with butter and olive oil and some chips on the side.MMMMMMMM.Jim
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CH 81 & 72 VHF
Theres a simple solution to all this, say that the fish was 55cm, the DPI will tell you if it was a spottie pretty quick.
Frame is goooone. Flesh is goooooooone (YUM). Wish I had t.aken more notice at the time, wish I had taken better pics
Will be leaning toward the side of caution in the future and treating all as spotties (60cm min) unless it is blatantly obvious that it is a doggie.
Kev