Now 2023 and the ludric fishing continues ,piers with loads of fisherman chasing the blackfish still goes on when the spawn is on , it’s addictive and a beautiful eating fish I love so much , I live about 6 hours away and make the journey to the coast each year for this amazing fish , I love it and am excited even months ahead of getting there , it’s a special time and I can sit on the piers all day long when the bite is not strong waiting for my float to go down . And other times bag limits are reached and then off to the filleting tables to clean the fish , what’s not to love about black fishing , those who learned it will always go back to it no matter how far away from the water you might be sooner or later. What a lovely video listening to the tales of the past and those who shared their stories , thanks for sharing. 🙏
Definitely would agree that "the fish catches you". Although I've fished for other species, nothing has given me more fun and satisfaction over the years than the Blackfish. Happy memories of fishing "the gutter "at Little Bay as a schoolboy, during the 70's.
This is the best fishing video I’ve seen on TH-cam so far. My son wouldn’t even last a minute watching other ones but he watched this whole thing with me. Thank you.
That is one of the best fishing videos i have ever watched ! That bought back so many fond memories of when i was a teenager fishing for Blackfish in Narrabeen lake and how a couple of old hands sort of took me under their wing and taught me the ropes - something i am eternally grateful for !
Absolutely brilliant. You captured it completely. I remember my very first luderick, some 52 years ago and I'm still an addict. I was fortunate enough to have some very generous fishermen (who shared their Parramatta River weed) who helped guide me. You nailed it. Please do another video. This was the best I have ever seen on this platform. Steve
What a great educational video! After watching this documentary with my 2 school going sons, we all fallen in love to blackfishing. We watch this video again and again.
John what a wonderful video. I am absolutely staggered to discover that another mountaineer/back country skier is also a passionate blackfisherman! I was only the other day lovingly looking at my blackfish rod, built with the help of that famous and expert rod builder Bill Fitch in 1970, when I was working at Fisherman’s World in Haymarket as a 14 year old during my school holidays. Climbing up and down the steep sandstone cliffs to go fishing went hand in hand with rock climbing, the two inseparable in my estimation. The stories you recount are those of the old timers who selflessly taught me to fish in the ‘60s. My days at school were dreaming about the float dipping out of sight with a bite and the rock climbs of the Blue Mountains. School work was altogether too forgettable by comparison. Thank you for this great video and the stories which bring back such wonderful memories of those days and the old timers who were so good to me. Joe L
Absolutely fantastic. In awe of the effort you put in to produce this classic video. Blackfish aren't sexy like GTs or marlin but they have a special something which is hard to define but keeps bringing you back for more. Big thanks for all you've achieved, Andrew
Blackfish are delicious, infisrt encountered the species from a friend who spearfished but preferred other species. I was so happy with the taste and texture, perfect with a light dry wine. Great video.
Epic story mate, the history is beautiful and sad but fulfilling at the same time, I’m ever so greatful my Nan and my father taught me the skill of fishing. Only just this year took up blackfishing at 40yrs old and loving it
Wonderful. A must watch for any luderick/blackfisherman and those close to such folk. Filled some of my knowledge gaps. I started at age 12, so only 43 years into my luderick apprenticeship.
Thank you Alpine Backcountry for producing this wonderfully rich and in-depth documentary on the humble blackfish, and the fanatics in which love them. As one who is recent to the game of angling, I must say that this documentary has allowed me to gain a much deeper and enriched understanding and fondness for the Luderick; especially with respects to those who fished for them, and for those whom in which were sustained physically and financially by them. As such, it has stirred me to chase these fish, like my grandfather before me. Now to gain a rod that suits my newly acquired centrepin reel...
Thank you for making and uploading this very enjoyable film. My grandparents fished for Blackfish during the depression. Given the current turn of events I suspect I'll be doing the same.
"Turn of events" So true 2022 and people are back living in those caves again. My mate was only telling me about a young family living in a cave between Clovelly and Bronte the other day. I am stocking up on all my fishing gear and a shit load of other stuff. Got a couple of old Alveys in the mix as well. I just thank god I made the move out of Sydney 8 years ago 600km south with km's of unpopulated coast line at my door step. I do not think hungry people will be as nice as they were back in the old days of the depression. We are living in the "ME" generation they don't give a shit about anybody but themselves.
What a great story. I’ve been fishing for them for a long time being self taught by reading up and watching the old blokes . The traditional gear still works as it always had and finding the bait could be a mission in itself. I really enjoyed the history and can remember the older blokes talking about how blackfish sustained them and their families and neighbours during the depression. There is a lot of finesse in it with the rigging , floating the line, the different size floats and even the hooks. Getting the depth right to where the fish are feeding is another thing learnt over time then there’s the barley, the drift and the etiquette when fishing in a larger group. I’ve found with black fishing you never stop learning . These days I target blackfish with a fly rod and a fly that looks like the hair weed they feed on and it works very well. They are a champion fish and still readily available. It’s easy to understand why some fish for the exclusively. A lifetime pursuit .
Enjoyable video thanks for the effort in making it. Ive done all sorts of fishing in my 60 years, deep sea, estuary lures for Bream, Flathead and surface popping for whiting, but Ive gone back to my very early day of float fishing for Blackfish in my local estuary. Started in the mid 70s with watching a school mates father fishing for them at Kurnell in Sydney. Gets into your blood that's for sure.
My parents used to take us all on holidays at Foster in the winter months, in the early 70’s, I was about 8 years old then. Our accommodation was a block of Flats named Glistening Waters My father hired a old Launch from Bob’s Marina across the road beside the swimming baths. Our Green Weed supplier was from an old house across the street on the opposite corner from Glistening Waters, I still remember that the green weed had tiny little orange berries in it, it was apparently the best? We would get up early before breakfast and to catch a feed of Black fish. Dad would drive the launch to Walis island or around the many oyster leases to find them. Black fishing just gets into your blood and becomes your Passion. Fond memories.
Great video . Felt sad when it ended .I'm sure the are si many more stories. It goes a long way to expaining some of the inherent reasons ive felt almost compelled to chase blackfish Cheers
We target them a couple of times a week at Maroubra, Mahon Pool , Rosa and a few other spots. Only thing that we have changed over the years is we now use the really long ISO rods. Far superior to the old sportex and butterworths etc, no more Avons either for us.
Estuary blackfishing for me having learnt it of my dad in the 1970s. Dad used to fish the Port Hacking with the company he worked for Malleys/Whirlpool in the 1940s to 1960s with a few hire boat sheds to choose from along the river, most having retired in the late 1970 1980s due to high boat personal ownership. It took a whole day to prepare with green weed from the parramatta river under the north side of Ryde bridge, Dad said parramatta weed is the gold standard. Many old names given for the Port Hacking reefs and places we fished like the blues, kitcheners reef, yellow rock, ship rock, diggers reef, swazze .................good memories as it all changed now.
I've just caught the blackfish obsession, but i'm chasing them on fly. All catch & release. Lot's of fun. As the video says, much stronger fighters than trout, but no spectacular jumps.
Muy buen vídeo yo pesco el blakfischs alrededor del George river por 20 años en mi boat yo uso técnicas nuevas aprendidas por viejos pescadores y otras que trajeron los asiáticos a esta tierra con cañas totalmente sofisticadas de 1 mm en la punta Kurnell otro de mi favorito lugares para pecar en las rocas con cañas de 5.30 m y líneas de fluorocarbon y bollas totalmente distintas que cargan de 2a3gm de plomo pues este pez e comprobado que no le gustan las líneas pesadas Hay otras cosas mas que he comprobado en el correr de los años que llevaría mucho para explicarlas colores de carnadas etc etc
Great scenery in the vid. I'm an avid rock fisherman too, from Fingal Head. But as for Luderick... you can have the lot! They taste too weedy/muddy for my likings. My personal fave is Black drummer. Now there's a fish with not only flavor, but also texture (if cooked properly). BBQ the fillets... & turn once only!!
For what it’s worth, the bag limit for luderick is now 10 fish with a size limit of 27cm in NSW. That’s a lot of fillets in one taking, considering that my last blackfish trip, I kept 7 blackfish, and that provided enough for 3 feeds for a family of 4. Only one fish was biggish at around 1kg in size. The rest were around that 30 to 33 cm size.
I gotta get down to the harbour.been a few weeks,how good is it landing a Blackie landed my first was down in Watson's bay!first of the rocks at bottle&glass
Now 2023 and the ludric fishing continues ,piers with loads of fisherman chasing the blackfish still goes on when the spawn is on , it’s addictive and a beautiful eating fish I love so much , I live about 6 hours away and make the journey to the coast each year for this amazing fish , I love it and am excited even months ahead of getting there , it’s a special time and I can sit on the piers all day long when the bite is not strong waiting for my float to go down . And other times bag limits are reached and then off to the filleting tables to clean the fish , what’s not to love about black fishing , those who learned it will always go back to it no matter how far away from the water you might be sooner or later. What a lovely video listening to the tales of the past and those who shared their stories , thanks for sharing. 🙏
I'm so proud of the resourcefulness of our British and European ancestors for developing this beautiful country.
Definitely would agree that "the fish catches you". Although I've fished for other species, nothing has given me more fun and satisfaction over the years than the Blackfish. Happy memories of fishing "the gutter "at Little Bay as a schoolboy, during the 70's.
I fished it a few days ago, Julianne too.
This is the best fishing video I’ve seen on TH-cam so far. My son wouldn’t even last a minute watching other ones but he watched this whole thing with me. Thank you.
Thanks Earl, hope you get your son out for some float watching.
That is one of the best fishing videos i have ever watched !
That bought back so many fond memories of when i was a teenager fishing for Blackfish in Narrabeen lake and how a couple of old hands sort of took me under their wing and taught me the ropes - something i am eternally grateful for !
Absolutely brilliant. You captured it completely. I remember my very first luderick, some 52 years ago and I'm still an addict. I was fortunate enough to have some very generous fishermen (who shared their Parramatta River weed) who helped guide me. You nailed it. Please do another video. This was the best I have ever seen on this platform. Steve
What a great educational video! After watching this documentary with my 2 school going sons, we all fallen in love to blackfishing. We watch this video again and again.
Big thank you for all the positive comments and apologies for the late reply. Back in Australia now so hoping to get a float in the water soon.
John what a wonderful video. I am absolutely staggered to discover that another mountaineer/back country skier is also a passionate blackfisherman! I was only the other day lovingly looking at my blackfish rod, built with the help of that famous and expert rod builder Bill Fitch in 1970, when I was working at Fisherman’s World in Haymarket as a 14 year old during my school holidays. Climbing up and down the steep sandstone cliffs to go fishing went hand in hand with rock climbing, the two inseparable in my estimation. The stories you recount are those of the old timers who selflessly taught me to fish in the ‘60s. My days at school were dreaming about the float dipping out of sight with a bite and the rock climbs of the Blue Mountains. School work was altogether too forgettable by comparison.
Thank you for this great video and the stories which bring back such wonderful memories of those days and the old timers who were so good to me.
Joe L
Absolutely fantastic. In awe of the effort you put in to produce this classic video. Blackfish aren't sexy like GTs or marlin but they have a special something which is hard to define but keeps bringing you back for more. Big thanks for all you've achieved, Andrew
Thanks Andrew, much appreciated.
Blackfish are delicious, infisrt encountered the species from a friend who spearfished but preferred other species. I was so happy with the taste and texture, perfect with a light dry wine. Great video.
Epic story mate, the history is beautiful and sad but fulfilling at the same time, I’m ever so greatful my Nan and my father taught me the skill of fishing.
Only just this year took up blackfishing at 40yrs old and loving it
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. It can be a great link to our past.
Wonderful. A must watch for any luderick/blackfisherman and those close to such folk. Filled some of my knowledge gaps. I started at age 12, so only 43 years into my luderick apprenticeship.
Loved this documentary. I started fishing for blackfish with my father when I was a kid in the 60s at Narrabeen Lake.
Thank you Alpine Backcountry for producing this wonderfully rich and in-depth documentary on the humble blackfish, and the fanatics in which love them. As one who is recent to the game of angling, I must say that this documentary has allowed me to gain a much deeper and enriched understanding and fondness for the Luderick; especially with respects to those who fished for them, and for those whom in which were sustained physically and financially by them. As such, it has stirred me to chase these fish, like my grandfather before me. Now to gain a rod that suits my newly acquired centrepin reel...
Thank you for making and uploading this very enjoyable film. My grandparents fished for Blackfish during the depression. Given the current turn of events I suspect I'll be doing the same.
"Turn of events" So true 2022 and people are back living in those caves again. My mate was only telling me about a young family living in a cave between Clovelly and Bronte the other day.
I am stocking up on all my fishing gear and a shit load of other stuff. Got a couple of old Alveys in the mix as well. I just thank god I made the move out of Sydney 8 years ago 600km south with km's of unpopulated coast line at my door step. I do not think hungry people will be as nice as they were back in the old days of the depression. We are living in the "ME" generation they don't give a shit about anybody but themselves.
What a great story. I’ve been fishing for them for a long time being self taught by reading up and watching the old blokes . The traditional gear still works as it always had and finding the bait could be a mission in itself. I really enjoyed the history and can remember the older blokes talking about how blackfish sustained them and their families and neighbours during the depression. There is a lot of finesse in it with the rigging , floating the line, the different size floats and even the hooks. Getting the depth right to where the fish are feeding is another thing learnt over time then there’s the barley, the drift and the etiquette when fishing in a larger group. I’ve found with black fishing you never stop learning .
These days I target blackfish with a fly rod and a fly that looks like the hair weed they feed on and it works very well. They are a champion fish and still readily available. It’s easy to understand why some fish for the exclusively. A lifetime pursuit .
fantastic story thankyou
Enjoyable video thanks for the effort in making it. Ive done all sorts of fishing in my 60 years, deep sea, estuary lures for Bream, Flathead and surface popping for whiting, but Ive gone back to my very early day of float fishing for Blackfish in my local estuary. Started in the mid 70s with watching a school mates father fishing for them at Kurnell in Sydney.
Gets into your blood that's for sure.
My parents used to take us all on holidays at Foster in the winter months, in the early 70’s, I was about 8 years old then.
Our accommodation was a block of Flats named Glistening Waters
My father hired a old Launch from Bob’s Marina across the road beside the swimming baths.
Our Green Weed supplier was from an old house across the street on the opposite corner from Glistening Waters, I still remember that the green weed had tiny little orange berries in it, it was apparently the best?
We would get up early before breakfast and to catch a feed of Black fish.
Dad would drive the launch to Walis island or around the many oyster leases to find them.
Black fishing just gets into your blood and becomes your Passion.
Fond memories.
Brilliant. Just what we needed.
great viewing and insight into Blackfishing thank you
Great video . Felt sad when it ended .I'm sure the are si many more stories. It goes a long way to expaining some of the inherent reasons ive felt almost compelled to chase blackfish
Cheers
Loved it! Thanks very much for this video.
We target them a couple of times a week at Maroubra, Mahon Pool , Rosa and a few other spots. Only thing that we have changed over the years is we now use the really long ISO rods. Far superior to the old sportex and butterworths etc, no more Avons either for us.
Estuary blackfishing for me having learnt it of my dad in the 1970s.
Dad used to fish the Port Hacking with the company he worked for Malleys/Whirlpool in the 1940s to 1960s with a few hire boat sheds to choose from along the river, most having retired in the late 1970 1980s due to high boat personal ownership.
It took a whole day to prepare with green weed from the parramatta river under the north side of Ryde bridge, Dad said parramatta weed is the gold standard.
Many old names given for the Port Hacking reefs and places we fished like the blues, kitcheners reef, yellow rock, ship rock, diggers reef, swazze .................good memories as it all changed now.
I've just caught the blackfish obsession, but i'm chasing them on fly. All catch & release. Lot's of fun. As the video says, much stronger fighters than trout, but no spectacular jumps.
Muy buen vídeo yo pesco el blakfischs alrededor del George river por 20 años en mi boat yo uso técnicas nuevas aprendidas por viejos pescadores y otras que trajeron los asiáticos a esta tierra con cañas totalmente sofisticadas de 1 mm en la punta Kurnell otro de mi favorito lugares para pecar en las rocas con cañas de 5.30 m y líneas de fluorocarbon y bollas totalmente distintas que cargan de 2a3gm de plomo pues este pez e comprobado que no le gustan las líneas pesadas Hay otras cosas mas que he comprobado en el correr de los años que llevaría mucho para explicarlas colores de carnadas etc etc
Great scenery in the vid. I'm an avid rock fisherman too, from Fingal Head. But as for Luderick... you can have the lot! They taste too weedy/muddy for my likings.
My personal fave is Black drummer. Now there's a fish with not only flavor, but also texture (if cooked properly). BBQ the fillets... & turn once only!!
For what it’s worth, the bag limit for luderick is now 10 fish with a size limit of 27cm in NSW. That’s a lot of fillets in one taking, considering that my last blackfish trip, I kept 7 blackfish, and that provided enough for 3 feeds for a family of 4. Only one fish was biggish at around 1kg in size. The rest were around that 30 to 33 cm size.
Just bought a Alvey centrepin reel after this great video
Great video!
I gotta get down to the harbour.been a few weeks,how good is it landing a Blackie landed my first was down in Watson's bay!first of the rocks at bottle&glass
I LOVE THIS VIDEO
Thanks
Thank you... ;)
Thanks I enjoyed that.
Thanks loved the info
Luderick are NOT (2min 39 sec) found in WA.
Love it
Your not totally happy till you’ve caught a sortie grunted which is totally black