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(Click for large pic. 19Kb)
The Sea Gar is a long, slender, silvery fish growing to 450 mm; it is generally found only in coastal and ocean waters of South Queensland, and enters our waters as a straggler from New South Wales. The body is bright green above and brilliant silvery below; there are three narrow brown lines running lengthwise along the back, with a silvery band below them on the sides extending from the pectoral fin to the caudal fin. The beak, or bill, is bright red. The triangular upper jaw is longer than it is broad (or at least as long as broad), a feature that distinguishes it from the River Garfish.
A valued food-fish, it is an inhabitant of open ocean waters, entering bays and estuaries in the early summer months for the purpose of spawning. The eggs are attached to weed and eel-grass. There is a strong and continued demand for young Sea Garfish as a fashionable bait for Tailor; the species is considered an essential and indispensable bait by the more dedicated fraction of Tailor-fishermen. Others seem to manage successfully enough with baits of Striped Sea-pike (or Yellowtail, or Pilchards), cut fish-baits, etc.
Season:
winter months
Location:
Urangan pier, sheltered water
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