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(Click for large pic. 20Kb)
This little fish is very common in estuaries and inlets along the whole of our coastline. It prefers shallow eel grass covered mud flats to clear sandy areas. and often earns the cordial detestation of anglers when shoals of Trumpeters emerge from cover to rob the baits long before more worthwhile fishes can find them.
It takes the name Trumpeter through its habit of emitting a series of rapid croaking grunts when taken from the water. Children find a great deal of entertainment in catching Trumpeters on fine tackle and No. 8 hooks from jetties, where the species congregates in swarms: this for the sole purpose of listening to the agitated “trumpeting" of the captured fish.
The Trumpeter grows to 200 mm (8 inches). It is usually brownish above and silvery white below; a series of 5 or 6 dark brown stripes runs down the sides. There may, be a darkish blotch above the shoulder. This fish does not grow sufficiently large to qualify as a pan fish, but is an excellent live bait for Flathead and Jewfish; it is very hardy, and if unmolested will remain alive all day on a hook, where it swims actively. In fact, it will often telegraph advance warning of an imminent strike by
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