NSW DPI Fisheries has reported on some exciting growth rates for one of the most targeted and desirable species in NSW waters, the Dusky Flathead. Fisho's who have been wetting a line right along the NSW coastlines this Christmas and New Year break have reported some remarkable catches of Flathead to bring in 2021, with some flatties even pushing 1 metre in length with heads resembling nothing short of a council shovel.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Fisheries has reported that once such croc-sized dusky flathead tagged in the St Georges Basin Trophy Fishery has recorded an impressive 10cm growth rate after being recaptured just over three years after it was originally released.
READ ALSO:
Angler Marley Watson, aged 13, recaptured the 97cm flattie while fishing on the southern side in the Basin on 29 December 2020. The tag details reveal the fish was originally tagged on 27 December 2017 by local fisho Connor Barrett while kayak fishing on the north-western side of the Basin.
Basin tagging stalwart Dave Loose, who was fishing nearby in his boat, assisted Connor in landing the fish, which was measured at 87cm before being tagged and released in excellent condition.
The fish was at liberty for 1097 days and was re-captured approximately 2.3nm from the original capture location. Well-known Sydney charter skipper Matt Reid, of Raptor Charters, was holidaying with Marley and other friends and reported that the fish again swam off strongly after being re-released.
A 10cm growth rate over three years is significant for a flathead of this size. DPI Fisheries research indicates that growth rates for dusky flathead tend to slow after the fish reach "trophy size" of 70cm and above. As is apparent with this recapture, individual fish can, however, record noteworthy size increases.
This latest Basin recapture again highlights the viability of catch & release fishing for large female dusky flathead as a management tool to protect important breeding populations while also allowing multiple anglers to experience the thrill of catching a "trophy sized" fish safely and within the rules.
