Fishing Victoria Forum

Tasty fish, sear it and slice it thinly with vinegar

This one was quite big as well.

So pissed we threw it back.

We don't bring them in, because if they spike you.. You'll be in an excruciating amount of pain.
More hastle than good, would rather cut the line and re-rig.

After a bit of reading I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

Thanks for the info.

Yeah mate, they're pretty dangerous little buggers.

2 People have died from them.

The one pictured is not the poison spine type.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=bull+ ... B550%3B366" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This one is. Commonly called bull eye gurnard, again common in bass strait. i caught a large one up the lake a cpl of weeks ago.
Re the spines , poison. I have spiked myself many times with the poison spines on their back. It is very painfull from a dull throb in the hand to a cramping throbbing ache all up your arm. back when I was a trawl fisherman you would see hundreds of them so it was inevetable that you got spiked. Rinsing in ammonia and washing with water that is as hot as you can stand, relieves it somewhat. It is the slime that is on the spines that is poisonous. If you get it thru a thick glove it is no where near as bad.

yes gurnard,
these things are prolific in n.z, easily caught surf casting. there easy to handle,alot worse things out there than these,just be aware of spike. best way to prep them is to cut under head and actually snap the head up wards,then literally pull the head back along the backbone,which pulls all the skin off. caught plenty even as a kid. they are one of the best eating fish you can eat,beautifull white fillets. thats been one species i havent seen alot here in aussie. if you get one legal size, please have a go at eating one, ide rate them with whiting.

cheers
colin

gurnard