Are Leatherjackets back

[bondy99]

Hello All,

Have there been any leatherjackets in plague numbers?


Muzz,
Tried to call you today and yesterday but no answer.

Is it time to get those leatherjackets off Balina

Cheers, Bondy

[Marlin_Mike]

Jackets were a staple when we were kids on south coast of NSW. used to fish Crookhaven River and off Culburra/Greenwell Point. I reckon they are a good eating fish.

[Still_Dreamin]

I used to get heaps down lake Illawarra way in the late 80's. Never really targeted them up north. They are really easy to skin when someone shows you how. I was lucky enough to have a couple of old italian guys take the time to show me. Sort of like taking a glove of. Really nice white flesh.
Where are you getting them bondy

[bondy99]

Marlin_Mike,

Yep, I agree, they are great eating, very easy to skin, nice firm white flesh. I'll trade Pearl Perch any day for leatherjacket.


Still_Dreamin,
Yep, they are easy to skin, my Godfather showed me how it was done in my younger years.

I heard Ballina gets them in plague proportions, bigger than normal..Chinamen Jackets, very strong teeth, you got to have the right gear to catch these without having too much lost tackle

[Noelm]

Plenty down my way, I was at the ramp yesterday and the Flathead drifters were cursing them, some had some pretty decent sized ones but mostly they are small to medium, I guess if you targeted them you would get as many as you wanted.

[bondy99]

Noelm,

Good to hear from you, Whereabouts are you again?

[Noelm]

Shellharbour, down in the Illawarra, the 'jackets have been thick for ages now, the numbers seem to come and go, but they have not gone completely for a couple of years now, and at times they are in plagues, at times you can get the beside the boat on enough numbers to simply use the landing net and just scoop them up.... Hate them!

[The Black Unicorn]

Pretty sure there are better fish to get excited about. What about Salmon?

[The Silver Unicorn]

Mullet are running too....

[The Black Unicorn]

Yoohoo a feast of exciting tasty fish.

[bondy99]

All good tucker in my books,

Noelm,

Bit of a journey to get your way, closer I might be tempted. Yeah they can be.

I use to spear a few in my earlier years.