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Fishing News and Reports => Fish Pictures and Success Stories => Topic started by: Mick on 01/21/13 18:00 UTC

Title: Estuary Perch
Post by: Mick on 01/21/13 18:00 UTC

Got the 2.5 swim fry mold from Jason just before Christmas and hadnt really had time to test it on any decent fish, I'd caught plenty of trash fish like carp and English Perch on them but finally got a chance to get out last weekend and give them a try.

Packed the kayak onto the car and headed down the coast and after a bit of a padlle this was the result,

(http://i45.tinypic.com/2dlvnd5.jpg)


(http://i48.tinypic.com/2e3u241.jpg)

There what we here in Australia call Estuary Perch. They put up a great fight and are considered one of southeren Australia's premium estuary sport fish. Most people that target them practice catch and release as they are a slow growing fish (the ones in the pic would be around 20 years old). These two measured 48cm and 47cm and definately liked the 2.5" swim fry (on a Doit jigspinner) in a pumpkinseed colour I made from the sweet potatoe colour I got from Jason.

regards mick

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: matt on 01/21/13 18:16 UTC

thats great ;D

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: EZPZ21 on 01/21/13 18:22 UTC

That thing looks like a bad boy !!!
good job Nick

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: Jerry V on 01/21/13 19:05 UTC

Those are some pretty cool lookin' fish Mick... they remind me a bit of the Bass species around here in North Central U.S., with a lateral line similar to a Snook from the Gulf area.  Are they an aggressive sort?  Probably a bunch of fun hooking up with them I would guess...

The Swim Fry on a Jig Spinner seems like a killer presentation, nice work.

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: pjmcla on 01/21/13 20:24 UTC

Cool looking fish. They are a slow grower indeed.  20 Years old and 20 inches long.  Thick tail muscle and broad as well.  They did make me think of a white bass / snook mix.  Our fresh water white bass would be 3 - 4 years old at 16 - 17 inches.  That is about as big as they get.

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: Jeff Little on 01/21/13 22:59 UTC

Nice looking fish!

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: gstott on 02/08/13 00:38 UTC

Cool, I always like seeing what people are catching in other parts of the world.  Those look like a lot of fun.

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: floridagrimp on 02/09/13 10:26 UTC

Mick, how do saltwater crocs feel about your kayak??  People don't realize it, but there's a bunch a saltys in extreme southern Florida (guess something has to control wild hogs, invasive species of snakes)!!!  Not to worry, they haven't found anything above 16ft.  :o 8)

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: Mick on 02/09/13 17:15 UTC

Thanks Fellas , they are a great fighting fish but do take a long time to get to size.

Quote from: floridagrimp on 02/09/13 10:26 UTC

Mick, how do saltwater crocs feel about your kayak??

I live in the southern part of Australia in the state of Victoria and luckily we dont have any croc's down here, if we did theres no way I'd be out yaking in the estuaries....lol  ;)


regards mick

Title: Re: Estuary Perch
Post by: MO QWACK on 03/13/13 21:30 UTC

That's just cool