Baldchin Groper / Bayam
MANY anglers agree that baldies, as they are frequently referred to with affection, are one of the best eating fish in the sea. They would be in most anglers’ top five table fish, and justifiably so. Baldies are commonly found in coral and reef strewn shallows where they have developed a great ability to break fishing line in a couple of seconds, frequently before an angler has time to put the brakes on.
Identification
With their white and scaleless “bald” white chin, bigger baldchin groper are not too hard to distinguish, but in the north of WA juveniles may be confused with paler versions of the black-spot tusk fish. However, as its name suggests the black-spot tusk fish does have a black spot at the base of the middle of its dorsal fin. Another fish with a white “bald” chin in our northern waters is the blue tusk fish. Although similar in body shape and colour to the genuine baldie, the blue tusk fish has a white spot in the middle of its back and the tail carries a scribble marked pattern, whereas the baldie’s tail has no markings..
Fishing methods
Look for shallow water, up to five metres deep, which contains some coral lumps and a mixture of broken coral and sand. Explore the area at the back of the boat by casting into likely looking gutters and channels. If baldies are there they generally don’t take long to put in an appearance but if the fish are small I tend to move on and try to find bigger fish.
Identification
With their white and scaleless “bald” white chin, bigger baldchin groper are not too hard to distinguish, but in the north of WA juveniles may be confused with paler versions of the black-spot tusk fish. However, as its name suggests the black-spot tusk fish does have a black spot at the base of the middle of its dorsal fin. Another fish with a white “bald” chin in our northern waters is the blue tusk fish. Although similar in body shape and colour to the genuine baldie, the blue tusk fish has a white spot in the middle of its back and the tail carries a scribble marked pattern, whereas the baldie’s tail has no markings..
Fishing methods
Look for shallow water, up to five metres deep, which contains some coral lumps and a mixture of broken coral and sand. Explore the area at the back of the boat by casting into likely looking gutters and channels. If baldies are there they generally don’t take long to put in an appearance but if the fish are small I tend to move on and try to find bigger fish.
<< Home