Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We have been enjoying a few relaxing days away on the yorke peninsula with friends

Yesterday we caught some crabs out dabbing in the bay, and last night when the tide was right and the wind dropped, we got out the underwater light and the spears and stalked a few crabs and strongfish. The terrain is bloody hard going.. we have to walk thru reef and weed etc to find these magic fish. They are brutally strong and need a couplel of good spears in them to get them in the tub. Makes ya fel like a native stalking them thru the shallows, wish I had their accuracy, there are still a few swimming around out there We have been spearing this particlar strech of water for over 10 years and last nights haul of 6 stronys one flathead and 6 crabs was amongst our biggest weight wise, the fillets fromt he strongfish alone were 4.6 kg's trimmed, with 600 grams of trimmings for a treat for the cod

All up we have had a great week away with Dan doing a magic job of holding the fort. Haven't drunk this much grog for a while, so off home tonight to detox

Nice one Stu, good to see you getting a break in.. That crab looks HUGE....

yep they were all a really good size, mostly full of meat, some a bit hollow as it is just past breeding season. All males, and they have been using their energy in areas other than growing meat blue swimmers for lunch today

So thats why we don't grow blue swimmers in the kiddys pool eh?
I can taste that bluey...

I cant believe you shot that poor strongy, but worse still I cant believe you ate it.

Didn't shoot it, we use hand held home made spears made out of pvc pipes for handles and bike spokes for prongs. I am sure there are plenty of people who disagree with spearing fish, but ya get that, we have been doing it since I was old enough to walk in the water at night (about 10 yrs old) and my dad used to do it as a kid. It is the one activity I can say is truly mine and my dad's only (no one else in our family comes) and we have many fond memories of walking thru the shallows checking out the night life, you wouldn't beleive what hangs around in the shallows at night. One night we were stalked by a stingrau all night until it freaked us out so much we aborted mission, it was flapping across the surface... another night I steped on one and ended up in Kingscote hospital getting my foot cut open to remove the barb.... many adventures... we have been lost more than a few times when we miss the exit to the beach, and following the stars doesn't work ( ) and there have been a few nights when we thought we were going to be sleeping in the mangroves, but we have always managed to come out unscathed

If you're hunting, and an animal gets within spearing distance... There's no excuse for not having him for dinner :-) Good on ya mon, looks like a heap of fun...

However just like Kylie always had short dancers so she looked taller, I see that the model holding the crab may have been chosen to enhance the size?
At first I thought it was alive, and was surprised by the bravery... but then realised probably not

still alive kp, but claws carefuly placed in her hands

Ahh well, kudos then!

Ah, spearing Strongies.
Brings back fond memories of my childhood. I bet the kids had heaps of fun. Got to be more better than PlayStation.

I always remember the following...
"DUSKY MORWONG.........The habit of resting on the bottom makes it an easy target for young spearfisherman.... (or young at heart!)
From the book, "SEA FISHES of Southern Australia"

Pity they taste like shite!

Memories yes (living in Port Lincoln, shooting easy targets)
Eating NO (I hear what you're sayin' Scottt)

Certainly is a nice sandcrab Stu. Good one.

We are not fussy when it comes to fish, evn the kids enjoyed the stongies filleted, skinned and crumbed, fried in olive oil with some lemon and salt. I actuallty really like them, nice chewy flesh and so long as you discard the underbellies and rib cages, it is all good. IMHO. (but I am not fussy)