SOUTH Coast angler Scott Tillman caught this amazing 103 cm tailor in St Georges Basin this week. The huge fish weighed in at 7.845 kg and is being submitted for a potential ANSA record claim.
Scott caught the mighty chopper on a 100 mm Squidgy Fish soft plastic rigged on a 3/8 oz jighead in 9 m of water. He was fishing for flathead and reports the tailor hit on the drop, making only the slightest “tap” on the line.
Scott struck, came up tight and the fish made a series of big runs with heavy headshakes.
After a torrid 15-minute battle, Scott landed it for a quick measure and photos. Unfortunately the fish couldn’t be revived so Scott has kindly donated it to DPI’s Research Angler Program.
DPI scientists will now analyse the fish’s otoliths (ear bones) to determine its age. Some of the oldest tailor so far assessed by DPI in NSW include two six-year-old specimens, one measuring 81 cm caught in Lake Macquarie earlier this year and an 86 cm monster caught in St Georges Basin in 2015.
Scott’s fish is significantly bigger than these so it will be really interesting to get info on its age.
Internationally, tailor (known as “bluefish” in North America and “elf” or “shad” in Southern Africa) have been aged at up to 12 years old.
Stay tuned for more info from our research team on Scott’s huge South Coast chopper!
In the meantime, to find out about the Research Angler Program click HERE.
