Tweed Lizard

[matt fraser]

Whilst attempting to catch bream on the weekend, I was deep drifting a 2" shrimp on 2lb leader when I got a solid hit. So I struck hard and came up solid - on a snag...damn! a couple of hard rips to try and get it off and then the 'snag' start to shake and swim off! Crikey! this is a fish and its big!

I worked it up fairly quickly and a big brown shape rose from the depths and came straight to the boat, "Holy crap that is a BIG flathead! Quick grab the net!" Ian nearly got a net shot within 30 seconds of hookup, but in typical flathead style she woke up and took off. On two pound fluro, I was surprised I'd lasted this long, and expectied the leader to pop any second.

Oh well, I may as well try and get her in. So I leant on her (as much as you can on 2lb) and she made a few shorts runs away, and then I fought her around the boat for a few minutes. A couple of passing boats stopped to watch the fight. Then I had her coming up again, 'Ready on the net Ian?" She turned away, but then I turned her back and Ian made a great net shot, and although there was about a foot of tail out of the net he managed to get her aboard thrashing away.

Wow! did that just happen? what a Croc! As we wrestled her out of the net she kicked hard on the deck and it reminded me of having a big barra on board - the thuds shaking the deck. A quick look at the jig showed how we managed not to lose her. She was hooked just inside the top lip, and had no chance of a bite off - very fortunate!

I quickly got out the camera and brag mat, and Ian snapped off a few shots. On the mat she went 84cm, and was fat as. We got her back in pretty quick and after holding her for about 20 seconds she shot off at speed.

What a great feeling! catching and releasing a big fish like that!

Cheers,

Matt