Smart Sharks?

Gfish · September 17, 2025, 01:27:56 AM

Kinda sounds like Needlefish Don. I love those things here. Almost impossible to hook in the jaw as it is solid bone, teeth with a thin layer of skin. They hang-out over the deeper reef and seem to be attracted to the splash of a lure hitting the water. They fight like crazy and are lightning fast. I have lost many lures to them biting through my line.

Could'a been a great Barracuda. Actually kinda likely. Was in about 30' of water and made it out to 45' trying to escape the breakers. Thinking also Gray Snapper which can get to 80lbs. but they have never seemed that hyper.

oc1 · September 17, 2025, 05:15:17 AM

I've only caught one needlefish here. It managed to tie itself up in the leader. We seem them jumping all the time. It's not really a jump. More like a thrown spear going just above the surface. They can go a long way too. There are stories of people being stabbed and killed by jumping needlefish.

Gfish · September 18, 2025, 06:05:26 PM

Quote from: oc1 on September 17, 2025, 05:15:17 AMI've only caught one needlefish here. It managed to tie itself up in the leader. We seem them jumping all the time. It's not really a jump. More like a thrown spear going just above the surface. They can go a long way too. There are stories of people being stabbed and killed by jumping needlefish.

One here. Night fishing. Dad and son pulling up a net. The Needlefish shot out the water right into the son's eye and into his brain. Died in the hospital. Yeah they do try and stab me if I get 'em up to the boat. Godda try'n keep the tail out of the water. Also I have pair of those double-jointed extendable pliers.

Cor · September 21, 2025, 02:57:13 PM

Western Australia is a great fishing spot. We went as far as Exmouth.

I have been twice but won't go again as it is more difficult terrain then I am accustomed to and I believe in Cape Point where I spent my life fishing it is very hard and dangerous. Note we have moved after 30 years and now for the past week in a place called Stillbay.

One unfortunate Queenfish that got caught.

Look at the rocks!

jurelometer · September 21, 2025, 03:55:18 PM

Quote from: Cor on September 21, 2025, 02:57:13 PMWestern Australia is a great fishing spot. We went as far as Exmouth.

I have been twice but won't go again as it is more difficult terrain then I am accustomed to and I believe in Cape Point where I spent my life fishing it is very hard and dangerous. Note we have moved after 30 years and now for the past week in a place called Stillbay.

One unfortunate Queenfish that got caught.

Look at the rocks!

That's crazy!

I didn't get out to the west Australia coast much between Broome and Exmouth, but we rented one of those Toyota Land Cruiser campers with a snorkel air intake and explored a bit further inland. Let's just say that that Land Cruiser was more capable off road than I was. There is definitely some rugged terrain in that area (the Kimberlys?). When we fished the salt there, we hired a local with a boat. Too rugged for me. Big tides too, if I remember correctly. Broome and Exmouth had pretty easy access for shore fishing.

That is a really nice sized queenie there Cornelius!

And Stillbay looks like a pretty place- hopefully you a have some decent fishing in the area.

-J

Cor · October 13, 2025, 04:34:34 AM

The funny part of that Queenie was that we did our best not to catch anything and kept winding our lures away from them and anything else but every now and again a fish would ambush the lures, causing much mirth. This particular one we had to rope gaff and killed it then had difficulty finding someone who would take it off us, this guy was happy to and pose for a photo.

Donnyboat · October 13, 2025, 11:02:36 PM

Okay exmouth the tide does`nt rize and fall very much, but Broome tide are about 30 foot, so if you get you planing wrong, then you can be stuck @ see for many hours, cheers Don.

Gfish · October 14, 2025, 06:24:28 PM

That's a good picture Cor. One good thing about the tropics is the tide level change; 2' here is a "King" tide (spring tide). One can get stuck but usually they just gotta get wet to get back as long as the surf stays down.
After talking to a Big Island friend, my best guess is that I got beat-on by a Great Barracuda. 50lb.+ fast swimming "reef monstahs" like to steak-out territory. Sometimes the victims of spear fishermen, rarely landed by hook and line fishing. I don't wanna kill onea those, but me and my ego would love to beat one and release 'em...