Common Name: Silver Sea Bream.
Kuku in Malay.
Description: This carnivorous bottom feeder looks somewhat like the freshwater tilapia, except that it has a silvery, grey barred body and spiky fins.Grows to about 30cm in length at maturity, weighing slightly over 1.5kg.Travels in schools around estuarine waters and sandy-bottomed shoreline waters of up to 80 metres deep, feeding on crabs, prawns, squid, and even beach worms.This easily spooked fish is best fished using live crabs on freeline with a small leadshot for casting distance.
Tips: Use small hooks, No 5 Mustad and 10lb mainline. Tie hook straight to mainline, without using leader to minimise weight resistance and to allow the live bait to move about or the strip baits to flow with the current. The fish will usually spit out the bait should it realise resistance. The fish is also easily frightened. Should you lose one while trying to land it, the entire school will disappear for days.