The Australian coastline is a treasure trove of marine life, offering a bounty of stories that are as fascinating as the creatures that inhabit these waters. One such tale that has captured the attention of millions across the nation involves a fisherman, a flathead, and an unexpected find that has left many speechless.
Lee Rayner, an avid fisherman with a penchant for sharing his aquatic adventures online, was recently plying the shallow waters of Lakes Entrance, a picturesque coastal town in eastern Victoria. It was here that he encountered a peculiar sight—a large, sluggish flathead with a telltale sign that something was amiss.
Flatheads, known for their ability to blend into their sandy surroundings, are seldom spotted so conspicuously. Yet, there it was, a dark figure against the stark white sand, unmoving and clearly in distress. Rayner, sensing that the fish was in trouble, took action. He carefully approached the flathead, which offered no resistance, and gently scooped it into a net.
The footage of this encounter, which has since gone viral with over 2.3 million views, shows Rayner lifting the fish onto his boat and peering into its gaping mouth.
To his astonishment, he discovered the source of the flathead’s predicament—a second fish, a 30cm mullet, lodged firmly inside. With a pair of pliers and a steady hand, Rayner extracted the mullet, exclaiming in disbelief at the size of the flathead’s overly ambitious meal.
‘Oh wow. That bite was just too big I think. I think she literally bit off a bit more than she can chew,’ Rayner remarked, reflecting on the flathead’s ill-fated attempt to devour the mullet.
‘She was literally choking on it. It was too much, it was affecting her ability to breathe and digest.’
The fisherman’s intervention reportedly saved the flathead’s life, as it was choking and unable to breathe or digest properly.
After the mullet was removed, Rayner released the flathead back into the water, where it swam away, presumably much relieved.
The reaction from people on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Rayner’s quick thinking and compassionate act.
‘Wow, that’s unreal! Great job, mate, saved the big girl’s life!’ commented one person, while another wrote, ‘[This is] the best catch and release I’ve seen.’
‘Good on you—nice to see her set free to have more babies,’ wrote a third commenter.
Others left humorous remarks on his viral video. ‘Mate, you could have at least taken a fillet off that thing and given it back to her,’ quipped someone.
‘Now, she lost her dinner,’ wrote someone else.
Meanwhile, one commenter said, ‘[She] was lying dormant to allow that last meal to digest, and you pinch it right off her. Wasted energy in the hunt now she’ll have to find another.’
Rayner’s ‘lucky’ discovery is a testament to the surprises that await those who venture into the great outdoors, and it’s a narrative that will continue to be shared and marvelled at by Australians for years to come.
Have you ever had a similar experience while fishing or exploring Australia’s vast marine environment? We’d love to hear your stories! Share them with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the incredible and sometimes bizarre encounters that nature has in store.
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