LOBSTERING is a major industry in Port Stephens and has been since the mid 1800s.
One of the major problems confronting the lobstermen was to keep up a regular bait supply for their traps.
The preferred baits over the years have been salted and sun-dried mullet, salmon and luderick.
These species of fish gather in huge schools and return little financially, relative to others.
The mullet, salmon and luderick are netted then gutted and finally “split”, a process that requires a big sharp blade that is run along the backbone, “butterflying” the fish, which are then heavily salted and sun dried.
As mentioned in previous articles, the Grit Hole on Fingal Island has always been a great place for bream to gather.
The Grit Hole also serves as a gathering site for luderick when they are on the move.
For years the luderick have poured into the calm, shallow water for some peace and quiet, or so they thought.
It was when the luderick filled the Grit Hole, early in the winter months, that the cagey lobstermen would target them for bait. On one particular occasion many years ago, so I’m told, one lobsterman, cagier than the rest, thought it would be a good idea to circle the Grit Hole, on the top of the tide, with his net and then pour an accelerant on the surface of the water.
The plan was to ignite the petrol and the expected result would scare the daylights out of the fish which would then rush into the net.
It all sounded as though it could work.
All was in place and the match was lit.
Kaboom!
The fireworks could be seen for miles, the lobsterman’s boat caught on fire just as he leapt ashore.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the wind changed direction blowing the fire into the brush that skirted the water hole.
The island caught fire and chased the lobsterman back into the water with his pants ablaze.
That was the last time that the fire technique was used.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
