The same fish - what are the chances???

People: 26th Aug - Me, 2nd Sept - Me & Chenz

Bait: Rag & Limpet

Rigs: Float

Results: 32cm Ballan both days- the same fish?




Report: Hi guys, I have attached 2 pics of lovely Ballans I caught on the 26th Aug & 2nd Sept from the same mark. When I was going through my archive of images I noticed that the fish in both these pics have some identical markings and scars. It would be unreal to think that I caught the same fish twice. They where both caught on the same rig, bait and at the same spot just a week apart!

Similarities: The scar on the back just below the dorsal fin, also the white markings near the anal fin and beside the pectoral fin, the shape of the fish's head.

Due to different lighting conditions and camera the exposure and colour are slightly different.

It would be great to see what you guys think?

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very terrortorial so very likely, well done

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

very terrortorial so very likely, well done

Cool I didn't know that! Thanks

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

Wow how did you know it was the same conger?

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

Wow how did you know it was the same conger?

they were on speaking terms at that stage

This could be a different fish but same age and probably same school with same markings and would have been attacked by the same predator that is why the scar is similar near the fin.

Ballan 1 has a scar at the top of the tail which could not have healed that fast in 1 week and is missing on Ballan 2.

Just my observation.

id go with same fish, to many similar markings .it could have lost a few scales first time the skin would cover it up in a week

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

Wow how did you know it was the same conger?

His lower jaw was split and had a missing fin he was a real veteran

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

Wow how did you know it was the same conger?

they were on speaking terms at that stage

This could be a different fish but same age and probably same school with same markings and would have been attacked by the same predator that is why the scar is similar near the fin.

Ballan 1 has a scar at the top of the tail which could not have healed that fast in 1 week and is missing on Ballan 2.

Just my observation.

Hey simplywabs, thanks for the reply!

I saw that on the tail too, but I don't think it's a scar! It looks like a bit of debris on top of the tail opposed to a scar. I think that because the tail is so thin it would probably tear rather than scar. I have caught a few wrasse from this mark and each one looks very different, that's why I think this could be the same fish.

I caught the same conger 3 times in a week

Wow how did you know it was the same conger?

His lower jaw was split and had a missing fin he was a real veteran

Incredible!

Same fish alright. Nice one.

id go with same fish, to many similar markings .it could have lost a few scales first time the skin would cover it up in a week

Same fish alright. Nice one.

Cheers guys!

Now that Ballan is down there telling his mates that he was caught by the same human twice in one week. Not sure if you have any scars etc but he's probably describing your discernible features to them.

very terrortorial so very likely, well done

Cool I didn't know that! Thanks

This explains how wrasse marks can be destroyed by every fish caught being killed.
I would suggest that it is the same fish; I have seen the same pike caught twice on the same day and have caught the same pike twice at a week interval.

very terrortorial so very likely, well done

Cool I didn't know that! Thanks

This explains how wrasse marks can be destroyed by every fish caught being killed.
I would suggest that it is the same fish; I have seen the same pike caught twice on the same day and have caught the same pike twice at a week interval.

Very good point John! I'm a firm believer of Catch and Release!

Now that Ballan is down there telling his mates that he was caught by the same human twice in one week. Not sure if you have any scars etc but he's probably describing your discernible features to them.

Haha true!

hooked a thornback ray at tarbert some years ago, after a struggle i lost the fish as the trace parted while snagged, i swore it was a monster, all me mates beside me taking this all in, i replaced the trace line and sent another mackeral bait out...... 15 minutes later a 4 1/2 lb thornback was laying on the pier with both my traces in its mouth!!!! there were alot of sore ribs that nite on tarbert pier!!

hooked a thornback ray at tarbert some years ago, after a struggle i lost the fish as the trace parted while snagged, i swore it was a monster, all me mates beside me taking this all in, i replaced the trace line and sent another mackeral bait out...... 15 minutes later a 4 1/2 lb thornback was laying on the pier with both my traces in its mouth!!!! there were alot of sore ribs that nite on tarbert pier!!

Brilliant, glad to hear ya finally landed it! A thornie is on the wishlist!