Cale Cale Trevally

Have we got the best Cale Cale fishery in the country or possibly the world here on the Sunshine Coast, or are we the only ones who know how to target them?? Let us know what you think in the comments!

The longrakered trevally, Ulua mentalis, (also known as the cale cale trevally and heavyjawed kingfish) is a species of marine fish in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae. The longrakered trevally is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and west Pacific Oceans, from Mozambique and Madagascar in the west, to Japan and northern Australia in the east. A large species growing to a recorded length of 1 m, the longrakered trevally is distinguished by is protruding lower jaw, elongated gill rakers and lack of villiform teeth on its tongue. It is an inshore species, restricted to coastal and estuarine regions, where it preys on fishes and crustaceans. Little is known of the species reproductive cycle or growth. The longrakered trevally is of minor importance to fisheries and is often taken as bycatch in finfish and prawn trawls, as well as by recreational fishermen.

The ecology and breeding biology of the longrakered trevally is poorly understood, with only a few studies recording aspects of its feeding. In Mozambique the species was recorded as feeding on crustaceans, while adults also took small fishes as prey.[14] In the Solomon Islands the species is known to predominantly take fish as prey in lagoons, however at times drops fish from its diet.[15]The fine gill rakers on the longrakered trevally have also led to some authors suggesting the possibility of filter feeding on plankton.[16]

The longrakered trevally is of minor importance to fisheries, with catch statistics not kept by the FAO. Throughout its range it is taken with gill nets, trawls traps, handlines, and other types of artisanal gear.[8] For the most part it is taken as bycatch, and has been recorded in Indian finfish catches[17] as well as Australian and Persian Gulf shrimp and prawn trawl fisheries.[18][19] The abundance of the longrakered trevally in Persian Gulf shrimp catches led to a study of its abundance in the Bandar Charak area of Iran, where in this region alone a biomass of 652 tonnes was estimated.[13] The longrakered trevally is occasionally taken by recreational fishermen by lure or bait methods, however not a common catch.[20] Remains of the species have been found in archeological sites in the UAE, suggesting the longrakered trevally has been exploited throughout prehistory in this region.[21]

Check out James Holt landing a decent Cale Cale in the Noosa River! Holty is one of the local fisherman who really knows how to target the great fish.