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Lutjanus Johnii, Bloch, 1792
Bream fingermarks are found in considerable numbers in the Gippsland lake area in Australia. The lake can be reached from the ninety-mile beach area. People reach Metung in Victoria, which has excellent access to the lake. The lake is located near coastal waters, and numerous orchid species surround the lake. In most lakes, the anglers are allowed to use trolling, jigging, casting and bottom fishing with bait.
Types of fish that can be found
The next best place to find these is the Emu park creek which gets its waters from Cawarral creek surrounded by mangrove forests. It is a 20km drive from Yeppoon, and the surroundings are more coastal. Other types like salmons, flatheads and whiting, grunter, jacks, and big barra fishes are also found here. Shore fishing can be done here on the mudflats, drains, banks, and deep holes. This is breeding ground for prawns and anglers can get a massive catch here. The rocky terrain under the submerged waters provide an excellent residing spot for various types of fishes, and the catch usually is good here.
Type of fishing that can be done at the location
Netting from the boat or scooping in shallow waters is allowed for fishing and small rowboats and motorboats are allowed.
It is a slow-growing type and can reach a maximum length of 100cm and 12kg weight. On average anglers end up with catches varying from 3-6 Kg. These can live for 30 years and attains maturity around 6-8 years when the size is almost 50cm. A record size of 97cm weighing around 10Kg has been reported once.
Their range is confined to coasts of Northern Australia, South of Japan and from East of Africa to Fuji. In Australia, their range is vast and starts from Kimberley region and covers entire Western Australia, from Queensland till the eastern coast. The east coast has numerous river estuaries which are marked with continuous spotting of bream fingermarks.
These prefer to live in warm waters and shallow reefs and river estuaries. They reside in areas of submerged tree roots or deeper offshore coastal waters. They live as schools in estuary areas, and adults can be found in coastal waters. They live in large numbers in water bodies near mangroves where there are ample hiding spots beneath the water. These can adapt to fresh as well as saline water and moves towards the seas after reaching adulthood. However, they come back to estuaries for reproduction.
These are often lured by dead or live mullets, prawns, squids. Ofter baits like live squid, herring, yellowtail, and tuna are used to catch them easily. The bream fingermarks naturally feed on other small types of fishes like tuna, pumpkin seed, etc. They feed primarily on water planktons in mangrove areas and look for nymphs, tadpoles and various aquatic insects which reside in the mangrove roots. Artificial lures and baits are also used widely for catching these. However, they get attracted easily by squid baits which is the most preferred one for anglers.