Norman Creek Catties

[Dirty]

Hi All,

Sorry about the late posts but I have a bad habit of trying to get away from the outdoors and lock myself in front of the computer for the day, especially since university and work are out of the question for a little while. Anyway a few months back, my cousin from Melbourne came to visit and she wanted to catch some fish... since I'm such a learned amateur at this sport... and I know that catching fish can be far and few between, I decided to take her to the local creek...there I knew there were some fishes swimming around.

We have caught freshwater Eels, I think there's Tallipa there and definitely schools of Mullet and of course Bream and Catfish amongst other things yet to be caught. Well, we fished the incoming tide and within about one and a half hours we caught what we set out to target -- 12 Fork tailed Catfish and a 27cm Bream. She was stoked and we both had fun before we got muddy and had to leave the Mangroves!

We took the fish and dropped them off to this South African gentleman I met at a local creek, who has no problems in eating these fish...and has come fishing with me on occasion---I told the dude, I don't eat fish and he insisted that I try ... so he cooked me up some Catfish Pepper Soup and then this other African Fish Stew -- both very spicy dishes... and to be honest I didn't mind the soup...as or the stew... not my cup of tea... so rather than try to tell this dude that I I'm not into eating fish let alone eating vermin from polluted estuaries... it was easier for me to try his dishes!

Now he knows... and buys me beer instead!

Enjoy

George.

[Dirty]

My Cuz.... and her claim to fame.

[Dirty]

Just another shot of the beasties...

[Az]

i dont know how he does it.. we fish down there are times.. the GFO we call it - ghetto fish off, i definately wouldn't be eating ANY catties from there, I have pulled plenty out that clearly are effected by bacterial infections!! There are millions of them about and can make for a fun evening when too boozed to drive anywhere but i could never bring myself to eat one!

I don't know about tilapia being in there though, have seen bream and tarwine aswell as the mullet and catties

[Dirty]

I guess he's only been in Australia for about a year, so he thinks its a local goldmine and doesn't seem to mind. I wish i knew how to throw a cast net or catch those things I recon are tilapia... they certainly looked like em. If you know how I could catch them could you let me know becuase i know they are surface feeders but they are also very timid .... they could be carp... but I wouldn't mind catching them for ID.

I myself use the Catties for the crab pots....they seem to work well...even when freshly caught.

thanks for the response champ.

g.

[Smailesy]

hope he buys you tooheys new

[Dirty]

lol..... that used to be my favourite beer... but im a heineken lover....

[Az]

u sure they're aren't baby catties? There are hundreds of them that school and can look like mullet occasionly.. the tilapia don't hang around the top so much

[Dirty]

Az...

I'm positive they are mullet. I have caught them in a trap and have one in my tank...next time I see em I will take a picture for you. And the Talipia or whatever they are .... well again they come up to the surface for about 15-20secs then they vanish they are very sensitive fish.... don't see many of them... thats why I was asking how to catch em. Again it would be good if I catch them take a pic and try and ID them.

have a good one.

g.

[AngiG]

Mate for Tilapia try unweighted bread and a small hook.
Sounds simple i know but it works for us around Brisbane. Also if there are carp they will take it as well so you will get your ID.
We have been getting a few of both species lately.
Angus

[Dirty]

Cheers for the advice Angus...


I will give it a go soon enough.... btw are you the guy / webmaster for the brisbane river classic website?

A workmate of mine (you probably know him---SAM T.) also forwarded on that link... if it is you...awesome site... I really REALLY REALLY want to catch a BUll Shark or a threadfin!!!!

regards

George.