Autumn Ghosts – Elephant Fish — Nathan Huizing

Autumn Ghosts

Shore-based elephants are great fun!

by Nathan Huizing

As the inshore water temperatures begin to decline after Summer, a rather odd-looking animal makes its way up into the bays and estuaries as part of its annual spawning migration. With its uniquely distinct features such as its shiny chromed up skin, extra-long dorsal spine, large pectoral fins that almost resemble wings and last but not least, the bizarre trunk-like appendage that protrudes from its upper jaw. Callorhinchidea Milii, ghost shark or better known as the elephant fish is one of the craziest looking critters to inhabit the waters of Tasmania!

These fish tend to start showing up at the start of January, but begin to make their presence known around early March till the end of April when they school up in big groups to begin spawning. Adult elephant fish typically gather near river mouths and estuaries where they will spend several weeks depositing their eggs in the sand or mud. These eggs will then begin to hatch roughly eight months later and the juveniles will spend up to three years in the shallower coastal waters before they eventually move towards the deeper water as they mature. Adult elephant fish can be found along the edge of the continental shelf in depths of up to two hundred metres outside of spawning season.

Ghost Hunting

Finding elephant fish can be relatively easy if you use the information I’ve already mentioned when planning your approach. Throughout Autumn focus on large mud or sand flats around river mouths or in big estuaries. I have had more success on mudflats, especially if there is a bit of rock and shellfish thrown in the mix. When it comes to the depth I have caught

A 2/0 Octopus Beak hook pinned perfectly in the lip

elephants, anywhere from four to thirteen metres is a good option and even very shallow after dark. While I have caught elephants on just about every tide phase I’ve definitely found a couple of hours on either side of high tide to be the most productive period.

However, South East Tasmania is the only part of the state I have chased these fish so I can’t offer any specific locations outside of this area, unfortunately. If you are based in the South I can recommend trying areas such as Port Huon, Woodbridge, North West Bay, Bull Bay, Kingston Beach and Old Beach.

Gearing Up

Despite their rather dopey looking appearance, these mud bandits can put up a reasonable scrap on the right gear! Generally, when chasing elephants I will use a 2.1-metre medium-fast or fast action rod with a rating of around 3-6kg or 4-8kg matched with a 3000 or 4000 size spin reel. If the location you’re fishing is rather snaggy and loaded with shellfish then I would highly recommend opting for the 4-8kg option as these fish, whether intentionally or not, have quite a reputation for busting leaders on snags. Although if the location you’re fishing is completely void of snags then you could even downsize to bream sized gear and have some real fun!

When it comes to line, I typically run with 7 -10kg braid in snag-free zones or 20kg in more dangerous areas. One braid I have found to perform particularly well for this is the Nomad Pandora X8 due to its incredible abrasion resistance compared to other braids I’ve used. Picking a leader is the next step and in the rough country, I will opt for 20 - 30kg leaders just so I can go hard on the fish at the start and pump them off the bottom and away from the nasty stuff. However, lighter leaders in the 10 - 15kg range are more than enough in cleaner areas as elephant fish don’t have sharp teeth. You can fish even lighter again if you wish but it is worth keeping in mind that elephant fish aren’t the only species cruising these areas and you do run the risk of hooking and losing less leader friendly fish such as big gummy sharks and even snapper!

Now to the pointy end. Due to their rather small mouths, I run a relatively small hook and when it comes to hooks I find it hard to go past the BKK Octopus Beak in a size 2/0 or 3/0. A running sinker rig with a single hook tied to the end is my rig of choice when chasing these fish and for the sinker, you want to go as light as you can whilst still keeping solid contact with the bottom.

Elephant fish and gummy sharks are often found in the same areas www.tasfish.com - Get the knowledge - Get the fish.

Naturally, elephant fish will actively predate on small crustaceans, shellfish and molluscs and will use their snout to detect movement and weak electrical fields given off by prey. This being said, they will also happily scavenge and respond well to the smell of baits and burley! Elephants will happily scoff down most oily fish such as mullet, mackerel, salmon, couta and tuna as well as crabs, octopus and my favourite bait, squid. Keeping in mind the smallmouth these fish have, I always cut my baits

Some of the terminal tackle. 3/0 Hooks, size #2 bean sinkers and 40lb leader”

down into small strips around 75mm - 100mm long. Take your hook and just lightly pin it through one end of the bait and leave plenty of hook exposure. Once a fish has found your bait they will typically inhale it quite quickly and steadily cruise away with it. As you begin to notice your rod loading up, wind into it with a gentle strike and you will find the hook will nearly always pin the fish in the chin or corner of the mouth!

Doing Battle

While there are reports of this species growing up to a whopping 1.2m in length and weighing up to seven kilograms, the average fish you’re likely to encounter is going to be anywhere between one and a half to four kilograms which are still quite respectable! Most fish that weigh a few kilos are capable of putting up a good fight on the appropriate gear and the ghost of the estuary is no exception! The initial hook up is usually followed by some good head shakes and a decent run or two and when fishing in shallower depths of five metres or less it is also quite common for these fish to breach and jump which can be hard to believe and certainly looks odd! Elephants will also use their large pectoral fins to glide through and hold their weight in the water. Not only that but they will also flap their pectoral fins while swimming and almost resemble a flying bird as they cruise along! Ghosts after dark!

Table Quality

The rating of elephant fish on the plate is always an interesting debate with some people suggesting they’re great and others not being a fan at all. Personally, I’m not a fan of the softer texture and flavour of them but each to their own. For those that are keen to try them, I recommend bleeding them instantly after capture and putting them straight on ice. I’ve also heard that once filleted, freezing them for a couple of weeks before eating them can improve the quality of the meat. Nathan Huizing

New TARFish website OUT NOW!

www.tarfish.org

We’re here to champion you, Tasmania’s marine recreational fishers. To find out how we are doing that and for the latest on the issues that matter in marine recreational fishing from your peak body, visit our new website.