I have them fillet on the boat. I have to get them vacuum sealed before I freeze them. More often than not I give them away to family, co-workers, etc..
Not to the level of Bluefish or Striper. They're bottom fish so they do try to dig back towards to bottom. They will bend the rod. Yesterday, I downsized my gear from H to MH /20lb line and 30lb flourocarbon leader and it worked wonders. We were between 200-225ft all day so 8oz lead was required. Not a sportfish by any stretch but if you're planning a fish fry, you can't go wrong with Ling aka LingCod.
I fish for sport. Everything I catch always go back and that includes the many Mahi Mahi I caught with my dad as a kid. The only fish we kept was the hammerhead my brother and I caught. My dad caught a 700+ lb giant tuna off of Montauk back in the late 70's. He kept that and sold it at the dock. He said it was the worst fighting experience he ever experienced. He likened it to reeling in a subway car. He couldn't get out of bed the next day.
That fish is worth around 6-8K these days.. I take it you're not a big fish eater. I'm a meat hunter and I love a fish fry. I fish for meat in the freezer. Reason being I live 165mi from the Jersey shore and I need to bring home meat. When you factor in Gas and the boat fare, I'm in about $200 per trip. Gotta make that count Bickety and that means fish in the cooler.
I eat more fish now than I ever have in my life but that's not really saying much because I used to never eat fish. Now I'll have cod, sea bass, mahi mahi or some other type of mild fish about once a week. If it has a strong flavor, it's a hard pass for me.
Then Bluefish is not for you. Oily fish usually has the strong taste. Ling, SeaBass, Summer or Winter Flounder should be in your wheelhouse. Cod as well. You want to have a challenge AND a good meal, go after Blueline or Golden Tilefish. They live in the Canyon in very deep water. between 300-1000ft. They taste like lobster so there's the reward for all the hard work you put in bringing those big boys up from the deep.
Forgot to mention this. Last trip out, an entire pod of Dolphin followed us and were playing in our wake. It was so cool to watch. Must have been at least 8 of them. Swimming in pairs, breaching, they were having a blast. I think our Capt. was having fun with them too as he kept moving the boat trying to set both anchor lines. I've never seen Dolphin that close in the wild. Thank goodness everyone had the good sense not to drop bait until the Dolphin got bored and left.
Theyre alot smarter than you think..... they wouldnt have messed with anyone's bait / lines..... but are smart enough to steal your catch coming off the bottom
I have a similar taste in fish, but don't mind a slightly more aggressive flavor now and then. That being said, I bet you'd love grouper. One of my favorite sandwiches is blackened grouper sammies. I get them any time I'm down in FL as often as I can.
Not to quote myself... but how did I forget... Sight tossing Jigs under manta Rays for BIG cobia...... Grilled cobia with melted butter and a little montreal Steak seasoning.
Had planned on heading out tomorrow BUT, Mutha Nature has different plans. 5ft waves and gusty winds say keep your ass home and cook. So, instead of SPJ off the Jersey Coast, I'll be smoking Baby Backs and sipping on Maker's Mark this weekend. Guess things could be worse..
Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NRHG set for arrival tomorrow. Probably spool with 30# braid as its going to me my manual deep drop SPJ reel. Waiting on my Temple Reef 78H Long Fall SPJ Rod to arrive on US shores. Damn covid has the entire tackle industry upside down with a lack of supply.
LMAO.... from something called a Goo-fish to prob the most expensive set-up you can buy ..... now just have to add a $150 "powerhandle"
No no no.. there are Japanese made $1k long fall rods. I'm gonna wait out the supply chain until either the TR 78H becomes available OR the Phenix 7 '10" H long fall. Oh yeah, the Ocea Jigger comes with a great handle but I did put Jigging World Power Handles on almost all my conventional reels. Put 20# braid on the OJ2K. Now if Elsa would take her ass on up to Canada, I can fish this weekend. I sold the Goofish on Ebay. I will never sell anything else on EBay. I have enough SPJ gear to cover almost all situations so I'm good until the supply chain gets moving again.
Hey, I heard Elsa paid you guys a visit. Hope all is well Stinky.. Check in man. Let us know how you doin..
