Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Usually October Badger, but does depend on the weather - can be Septhember or November as well.

Also depends on whether you've got summer stock to go in and you need to make room. If that's the case you'll pull them out when the other stock are ready to go in.

Yea, I made it into November last year but mind you I switched to Spectra SF (9mm) in September. Whether or not that assisted me is debatable...

Taken from the website which convinced me to switch:-

Spectra SF is specifically formulated for freshwater reared rainbow trout. Spectra SF assists trout combat the ill effects encountered in summer of elevated water temperatures. During this time fish immunity is lowered as a result of chronic heat stress. Spectra SF is fortified with micronutrients to help alleviate this stress. Following the Active Nutrition pathway, we recommend the use of Protec leading into summer to prime the immune system and the use of Spectra SF through summer (>15oC) to continue to assist the fish’s immune and endocrine systems to fight through this period. Spectra SF comes in both a floating and sinking pellet.

Where'd you get the SF Charlie ?

Skreetings

Stirling Bulk Distributors, skretting distributor.

I use BYAP all year and then run the SF 9mm for those last few months for the trout. Sept-Nov. Cant prove if it makes a difference thou.

Kangaroos!

The Spectra might have some benefits once temps begin to rise....

But by then your fish should be about eating size anyway.... and there's no rerason to go beyond a 7mm pellet..

Yeah, was having that discussion with a mate the other night.

Around 500g is a good, large plate size, while 600g is too big. But then, they're a pain in the quoit to fillet if they're less than a kilo.

So my approach after last season is, if you're not going to take them to a kilo or more, you may as well take 'em out about 500g.

Like to hear what you guys think - maybe it's different if you're a gun filleter (I'm not ) and 600-800g fish don't represent a hassle for you.

Might depend on the number of fish you're running as well. If you're running 20 fish then you may not view filleting as a hassle. I'm running 120 this year so the vast majority of mine are going to be eaten whole.

I haven't eaten all that many trout in my life but each time the fish has been served up whole. I suppose on the basis of this limited experience of trout consumption I have formed the view that this is the usual or preferred way of eating them. This view ties in with the 'plate size' concept since a whole fish is a fixed size, whereas fish fillets can be cut as small as you want them to be. I underfeed my fish so don't expect many to be much more than 350-400g at harvest.
I have always loved scaling and gutting fish that I have caught myself. I enjoy the look, the feel and the smell of the whole process and then, finally, I savour the taste of the fish. If I get to experience this with my trout, as I am of course hoping to, then the extra thrill of having also grown the fish will be unsurpassed.
I am a very good filleter but not a 'gun' since that implies speed as well as accuracy. I have 96 Rainbow Trout so, although many will be frozen whole, I reckon I will have ample opportunity to further hone my filleting skills on the way to gun status.

Never fileted a trout yet and only eaten them whole and they dont need scaling. Once cooked the bones lift out in one go, then you can divide it up if needed.

Do you gut your mantis?

I dont know if i will get mine past August/September. My water temp often spikes up to 16/17degC if we get an overcast day or 2.

I might be eating sardine style trout yet

It is amazing the difference that being 260km or so closer to the equator makes. Are you also within a few km of the coast, rsevs, up there in Dongara?
My trout water will be cold into October, for sure.

Yeah i am probably less than 1km from the coast as the bird flys. That is probably a bigger reason than the closeness to the equator. The day time temps are usually only 1 - 2 degrees warmer, but the night time temps remain a bit warmer. Inland would do a lot better i think.

Hahaha, yeah. Only Rupe would leave the guts in so he could suck them out like he does the heads of yabbies