Black Drummer
It's a lovely still morning - and we'll definitely need this good weather, because we're heading for rough water near the cliffs off Cronulla.
I'm teaching
my young mate Pat how to fish in the swirling wash.
Today, we're targetting one of toughest fighting fish - the drummer.
Black drummer live in ledges and caves on the coastal headlands, where they can devour any food that washes off the rocks. So we have to get close enough to cast our bait onto the ledges… without crashing the boat into the rocks. That requires a good motor, and expert driving from our guide Scotty Lyons.
Drummer have a very stocky body and powerful tail, but only a tiny head and mouth. They're thought to be herbivorous because they eat seaweed. But drummer will take all sorts of bait from redcrabs and cunjevoi to abalone guts.
We're trying our luck today with prawns and frozen yabbies.
We're using 17 pound line, small 2-O hooks and bobby corks to float our bait just off the bottom, so it won't get caught up in the weed and rocks. And my young friend's already got this style
Not a drummer - but a close cousin - the luderick or blackfish.
These fellas are also sensational fighting fish for their size.
Luderick also feed on weed around the rocks… and they seem pretty partial to Pat's yabbies as well.
Finally - the drummer start playing.. When they're hooked, drummer take off like a shot to their hidey holes. The trick is to turn their head, so they don't steer your line into a rocky crevice.
We decided to try fishing shark island style for drummer.
No time for surfing today Patty! Beneath that swell are some lovely rocky ledges, where the drummer are taking my bait for a ride.
Black drummer are a true native species of Australia, because you won't find them anywhere else in the world. They're confined to a narrow strip along our east coast - and they love to stay in their own home sweet home.
Drummer are a very territorial fish, they have their own home range of about 100m along a coastal strip, where they know every rock, every crevice, and sleep in the same cave every night.
The challenge is tempting them out of that cave. Rock fishing is a great way to catch this species - because you can cast your float right into the whitewater where they come to feed.
Drummer will battle hard in the surf.. so the trick is to use the power of the waves to help you land the fish.
Wash fishing from a boat can be just as hairy… Especially when waves like this are lapping at your boat! But this is the perfect spot to drum up some action.
Looks like Scotty's tapped into the kindergarten…
Finally, Pat feels a battling black drummer on the line. Keep him out of those caves Pat! That tiny mouth has been snared with a little number one hook.
Well, not a monster but this black drummer has done his species proud. A real feisty little fish.
Pat and I had a great day chasing drummer off Cronulla, with Scotty Lyons of Southern Sydney Fishing Tours. A full day charter with Scott will cost $600 for six people.
Virgin Blue fly to Sydney several times a day. Check out all their great deals at virginblue.com.au or call 13 67 89.
The Escape team stayed at Rydges Cronulla. With spectacular views across the beach, Rydges has fabulous boutique style accommodation.
A weekend bed and breakfast for two starts at just $229. Give them a call or check out their website for more details.
