G, S - December 17, 2020

GRUNTER, SOOTY

Scientific Name:

Hephaestus fuliginosus

Salt/Fresh:

Fresh

Also Known As:

Sooty Grunter; Black Bream; Purple Grunter; Blubberlips; Khaki Bream; GRUNTER, SOOTY

Rating:

Countries:

Australia

Description:

Sooty Grunter are popular freshwater fish in the Northern Parts of Australia

How To Identify:

Sooty Grunter as the name suggests, sooties range from a dark black colour to almost purple (hence its other name Purple Grunter). The Sooty Grunters fins are the same colour as its body. Sooty Grunter have a deep body taping down to a relatively small head. They have a small mouth with obvious lips. Common around 0.5-1.5kg but can grow as large as 3kgs.

How To Catch:

Sooty Grunter can be caught on most fresh baits suited to freshwater fishing such as live shrimp, yabbies, or worms. However most sooty now days are targeted with small lures and flies. Usually small surface poppers are around dawn and dusk can be very successful and loads of fun. Switching to minnows and sub surface lures as the sun gets higher and concentrating the casting to cover and snag areas.

Where Found:

Sooty Grunter are found in tropical freshwater stream and lakes in Northern Queensland, Northern Territory and into Northern Western Australia. Best places are fresh clean water and they hang around structure such as rocky areas or snags.

GRUNTER, SOOTY

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