Anglers Warned Of Wise Prey Outsmarting The Hook
Sun Herald
Sunday March 30, 2003
SCIENTISTS have confirmed anglers' worst fears. Crustaceans and fish have learned to escape from traps, avoid spears and let themselves off the hook.
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire in the US filmed hundreds of crabs and lobsters walking in and out of funnel-shaped pots. Only a small percentage were caught when the traps were retrieved.
James Cook University associate professor Gary Russ said fish and crabs become educated in high-pressure areas.
``As people go and fish more and more heavily in areas, a certain percentage of the fish population are getting more fishing-gear wise," he said.
On parts of the Barrier Reef, coral trout can tell the difference between a skindiver carrying a speargun and one who is unarmed.
Mark Meekan from the Australian Institute of Marine Science agrees fish are becoming better educated.
``They see other fish disappear to the surface or bite the hook but do not get hooked," Meekan said.
``After a couple of days the fish says, `No way, I'm not biting that thing'. Some of the fish learn pretty rapidly."
Anglers outsmarted both blue and striped marlin on the canyons off Norah Head and in the 80 fathoms off Sydney during the week. And prospects were looking good for the Australian International Billfish Tournament at Batemans Bay this weekend.
On Thursday, the crew from Port Hacking boat Tsunami scored two mako sharks of 100kg and 200kg on lures at Browns Mountain.
George Nearchou travelled from Melbourne to catch his first marlin off Long Reef on Monday, a 100kg striped released to fight another day.
Dolphinfish are holding around the traps off Terrigal, reports Scott Thorrington. Mick Lyons has been scoring dolphinfish off Long Reef and leatherjackets and a striped marlin on the 12 Mile.
Teraglin to 4kg and small jewfish are coming from Reggies and Esmeralda. But nearby reefs are infested with green toads keen on snipping lines and taking gear.
Chris Wright had a good session on the kingfish off Long Reef using saltwater fly gear, and anglers with bait took kings to 12kg.
Snapper have arrived off the northern beaches, with professionals taking as many as 100 reds and bream in traps between Barrenjoey and North Head. Bream are also around headlands and beaches. Chris Leslie and Colin Price have got whiting on the northern peninsula and in the harbour.
Peter Arcuri landed two jewfish of 14kg from Narrabeen using whole Hawkesbury squid. Go for jewfish at Newport, Bungan, Narrabeen, Dee Why or the big gutter at North Steyne on the evening run-up tide.
Bream and tailor are parked in Pittwater, Mark Turnen reports. Jewfish guru Greg Joyes is still finding plenty of fish around Lion Island and Box Head.
Best bets in Botany Bay are the bream at The Sticks and kingfish around the marker buoys. Some nice snapper were taken in 38 metres off Kurnell. Yowie Bay has kingfish.
The harbour has few but big kingfish off Nielsen Park and Sow and Pigs. Bonito, big tailor and Aussie salmon are taking trolled minnow lures around the Heads and Dobroyd Point.
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
© 2003 Sun Herald
