Fishing the channel above the steel Bridge has been very un-productive the llast couple of weeks, but with recent reports of nice 4-5kg Grunters coming out I was determined to share in the success.
Since my best catches in the past was on low tide it was a given that the dead time between Breakfast and fetching kids at school to flick some cracker prawns and strip bait out and see what on the bite.
Half way through I saw my one line moving oddly up and down the stream. For the cast was not far a huge strike was not required and as I lift the tip of the rod it felt stuck. Keeping the pressure on I waded into the water to attempt to lift what seems to be a small Ray.
What a surprise when this critter popped out the water and showed it self.
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Wikipedia:
Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are marine
crustaceans, the members of the order
Stomatopoda. They may reach 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, though in exceptional cases have been recorded at up to 38 cm (15 in).[2]
The carapace of mantis shrimp covers only the rear part of the head and the first four segments of the thorax. Mantis shrimp appear in a variety of colours, from shades of brown to bright neon colours.
Although they are common animals and among the most important predators in many shallow, tropical and sub-tropical marine habitats, they are poorly understood as many species spend most of their life tucked away in burrows and holes.[3]
Called "sea locusts" by ancient Assyrians, "prawn killers" in Australia and now sometimes referred to as "thumb splitters" – because of the animal's ability to inflict painful gashes if handled incautiously[4] – mantis shrimp sport powerful claws that they use to attack and kill prey b spearing, stunning, or dismemberment.
Although it only happens rarely, some larger species of mantis shrimp are capable of breaking through aquarium glass with a single strike from this weapon.[5]
Ecology
These aggressive and typically solitary sea creatures spend most of their time hiding in rock formations or burrowing intricate passageways in the sea bed.
They either wait for prey to chance upon them or, unlike most crustaceans, at times they hunt, chase, and kill prey.
They rarely exit their homes except to feed and relocate, and can be diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular, depending on the species. Most species live in tropical and subtropical seas (Indian and Pacific Oceans between eastern Africa and Hawaii), although some live in temperate seas.
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Are They Edible? YES
Was this one Plated? NO
It was returned after the photo shoot although I very much contemplated on using it for bait on the incoming tide under the Steel Bridge.
Petrus
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