Weaver Warning.

Guys and Dolls
A Friend of mine, yes even the prawn sandwich brigade has some, was fishing from his boat on Friday between the forts in Cork Harbour. his buddy brought up a small fish. Neither of then had ever seen one before, and as they handled it Mike got pricked by one of the spines. Now I know that all you experienced anglers out there will by now have twigged that it was a Lesser Weaver, and as mike will testify, meeting one can be very painful, very serious even if medical help is not readily available. I have never seen one in the harbour before , so all I have to say is that if you find any fish that you do not recognise, please be very careful.
Regards
Tim.

Just in case anyone isn't familiar with what to look out for, there are some pictures and a bit more info here.

[url]http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/pages/lesserweever.html[/url]

hi timmy is your friend ok?

Just in case anyone isn't familiar with what to look out for, there are some pictures and a bit more info here.

[url]http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/pages/lesserweever.html[/url]

He seems like such a jolly little fellow, the scientific description didn't prepare me for this final clause: 'and on occasions death."

So, have other anglers encountered this little guy and just out of curiousity I'd love to hear some stories about scares! I remember a pike taking a liking to the skin on my little finger once but nothing has freaked me out more than when i was a kid and a mature hooked eel wound his way up my arm. It still freaks me out!

`Mike will be fine, but it is a salutory lesson for all of us. just because you are fishing waters that you are familiar with doesn't mean that there isn't fish there that you havent seen before.
Regards
Tim.

serious little devil the weaver to the unsuspecting , inexperienced angler a big tip if you are unluckey enough to get pricked by one of these blighters , pour hot water/tea/coffee or any warm liquid over the area , usually the hands as soon as possible to bring out the sting i dont know why it works but after some intense pain it dissipates,,,

the venom from the weavers sting denatures at approximately 40 degrees, i.e it becomes relaitvely neutral and thus pain dissipates

Cazbass is correct. Place the stung area into as hot a water as you can manage without burning yourself. Have a flask with you if your fishing in an area where you suspect weavers. The reason why hot water works is that the poison is a 'protein' and proteins break down under heat.

Caz Galway

I got a weaver earlier this year near the same spot
[url]http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bulletin%20board/viewtopic.php?p=86521[/url]
didn't recognise it, lucky I didn't prick myself on it[/url]