Wivenhoe Powertail (Nov 1)

[Member]

Hi all. Late report but better later than never. I spent a few hours on Wivenhoe back in the heat wave early November this year, and in between catching a handful of small powertail, managed the one in the pic which went 58.5cm and 2.4 kg. Ironically I had been trying to land a big powertail from the kayak, but needed a leg stretch so I opened the bail arm and paddled back to shore. A couple minutes later, fish on duh! The fish put up a great fight and took several good runs.

We had to do a lot of paddling to find the fish, and found them in a in a sheltered bay, with open access to the "rough" water exposed to the wind. I think they lurk in the sheltered parts waiting for morsels to drift part for dinner.

I wanted to get a 60+ cm powertail, so just missed out. Next time :)

[Member]

That's a good PT.  My brother got one 4kg last week.  The trick to catching them is to stop trolling and let the law float towards the surface.

[Member]

Wowsers that one must have been fat as! Did you get a measure and piccy? Was that in Big W too?

[Member]

We don't take pics of PTs anymore. 

[Member]

We don't take pics of PTs anymore.

I would take a picture of a meter + forkie, but generally just shake them off boatside ASAP.


Nice fish WW.. 

[Member]

I have heard someone say that Forkies are good to eat if bled on capture and put in ice slurry, suppose to stop build up of slime and improves eating quality.

Werewolf, good size cattie, would have a good tug on the line I'm sure.

Bondy

[Member]

Hi Bondy, it sure put up a good fight. I was dismayed that it didn't crack the 60 as it fought so well. I think I ate one decades ago, can't really remember that.... These days the only ones I kill are for bait. Have heard many accounts from different people of 70cm+ fish from Wivenhoe. That would be a solid fish! Note to self to upgrade the leader a bit next time...

[Member]

Hi Werewolf,

That would be a big cattie at 70cm, I might have to see if I can catch one that size, I think 40cm was the largest I've ever seen. Might try to get a feed of redclaw as well.

Two rods, one for garfish, the other for cattie, (40lb line) make good crab bait I hear.

Cheers, Bondy

[Member]

Do post a piccy if you do crack the 70 Bondy. 69 cm is the biggest confirmed Big W PT I have seen in a photo (actually and in the flesh in this case).

Seen piccies of many big PT from out in the bay, but still hopeful for one from Big W!

[Member]

Hi Werewolf,

No worries, will certainly do if I ever land one that size from Wivenhoe, it's a big area. I know one spot where its cattie city , came across it during my research with SEQWater and UQ.

Unfortunately cant go to that spot since the project ended.

Big area Wivenhoe , bound to find another spot sooner or later.