Ians fist Billfish

[Juprat]

A good day had by all, Decky landed his first airiel display form ear to ear.

caught east of jupping Pin Bar.

[CamH]

Nice one, what did you get him on - lure or bait?

[Juprat]

live bait

[jeffo]

do you have any more photos of your catch....if it is what it looks like it is a VERY significant catch.

[Dave]

Good on ya Rod. It must have gone like a freightrain.

Dave

[Dr_Shane_Griffiths]

Great work!

Can you fill in the details. If you are not aware, that fish is a broadbill swordwish and is an extremely rare catch for a rec fisher, especially during the day. You'll notice the fish's large eye, they do most of their feeding at depths of 300-500 m during the day and generally only come to the surface at night to feed on squid.

You should be proud of tht catch!

[lucyloo]

great work

[Grand_Marlin]

It would be interesting to see some more pics....

I think you are right Shane, big eye, big dorsal, no ventral fins ... although it looks a little short and round in the bill length... may just be the pic

What were you thinking Jeffo?

That is the dream of nearly every billfisher to catch one of them ... great work !!

Cheers

Pete

[jeffo]

my instant thoughts as well....only thing that has me stumped is the bill...broadies should have a really long bill, almost the length of their body at that size. might be just camera angle.


would love to know more about the capture...depth ect.

[kingcobe]

Congrats

[freespool2]

congrats on your first billfish.......agree with above comments about possible broadbill but need better pic....hope you kept it.....have seen a few broadbill up that way over the years.
cheers andy

[Sandman]

Would it be a juv black? I know all your thoughts are heading toward a broadbill .

[Juprat]

Attached is the only photos taken.

It was caught off Jumping Pin in 50 meter.

My knowledge of species is limited; I thought it was a small Marlin

The beak was broken off when it was gaffed aprox 30cm.

Bait used squid & live yellowtail

We released after taking photos.

[the_real_fishcrazy]

Its definately a little broady.

[gcbfc]

I concur with Fishcrazy.

We were with a group that caught a small Broadbill like that one down off Bermagui a few years ago whilst Snapper fishing. They were less than 1 KM off the coast at the time. looked just like that fish.

Cheers

Wayne