OT: Fluke Fishing

[cicero grimes]

There is a broad consensus in the fishing community: we all want more fish. But what that means to anglers is different from what that means to commercial fishermen. And ultimately, more fish available translates into more fish taken, so the resource becomes less abundant over time. People aren't happy with what they have, even when times are good, and want more. Personally, I rarely keep fish I catch even when in-season and of legal size. I'm not going to sweat a 4 vs 5 bag limit for fluke because I'd never keep 4 fluke in a single day, ever. I'd be thrilled to catch a dozen 17 inch fluke in an afternoon again, and throw them all back in hopes of doing it again the next week. For a commercial guy though, the extra quota is more money in his pocket. For a charter captain, that makes for happier customers. So there are competing interests, but we all need to understand each other somehow.

I agree. Even when I was younger before the quotas I never took more fish than I was going to eat that night.. I returned a lot and also gave fish to some of the others on the boats if they were going to eat them. I cannot speak for everyone, but most of the charters I have been on the Captains respect the size and catch quotas for the most part. The big problem is the commercial boats that drag up everything. Talking to some of the commercial guys they tell me there is no problem and there are plenty of fish. My own experience over the last 40 years tells me otherwise based on personal observation and things I have read. Until the commercial guys buy into species conservation I think recreational anglers are screwed.

 

[cicero grimes]

I almost fell over when I saw killies have a bag limit now. And bunker too. How scummy do you have to be to overharvest bait?

They use bunker for fish oil supplements and fish meal for farmed fish. Pretty soon all we will be left with jellyfish and sea stars.

 

[RU_DIO]

They use bunker for fish oil supplements and fish meal for farmed fish. Pretty soon all we will be left with jellyfish and sea stars.

Malcom Glazier, the owner or former owner of the Buccanneers owns 32 bunker reduction boats if I remember correctly. Another big problem as most species feed on bunker.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Malcom Glazier, the owner or former owner of the Buccanneers owns 32 bunker reduction boats if I remember correctly. Another big problem as most species feed on bunker.

Basically biomass is just getting stripped from the ocean by big money companies. And they have the money to buy the politicians to prevent the government from stopping them.

 

[cicero grimes]

They taking a lot of Krill as well for fish oil. Whales on down eat krill. We are starving our oceans from the bottom of the food chain up. The claim is that fish oil supplements have health benefits. I do not know if that is true or not but it would be great if the FDA got involved in the supplement field to prove or disprove many of these type of claims.

 

[rurichdog]

We are so screwed

 

[dollarbill]

Thanks for a great discussion. I made my first half day trip today on a party boat out of Atlantic Highlands. Only two keepers and around twenty five shorts in total for fifteen customers . I caught two shorts but was busy with a lot of small dogfish. Thanks to my training as an RU fan in the LIttlepage and Shea eras, I know I will be back at it again soon. A good summer to all. $$$$

 

[Rutgers Chris]

Thanks for a great discussion. I made my first half day trip today on a party boat out of Atlantic Highlands. Only two keepers and around twenty five shorts in total for fifteen customers . I caught two shorts but was busy with a lot of small dogfish. Thanks to my training as an RU fan in the LIttlepage and Shea eras, I know I will be back at it again soon. A good summer to all. $$$$

I’ve discovered dogfish at the end of our block in the bay on LBI. Very easy to catch, the kids are loving it. Working on fluking in the surf next.

 

[dollarbill]

I’ve discovered dogfish at the end of our block in the bay on LBI. Very easy to catch, the kids are loving it. Working on fluking in the surf next.

Good stuff for the kids. I was wondering if you also discovered the tuna in subway sandwiches? $$$$

 

[Eagleton95.99]

The blue fish are a lot more fun. And if you read up on the proper way to bleed, ice and clean them, a very tasty fish.

 

[RUSK97]

The blue fish are a lot more fun. And if you read up on the proper way to bleed, ice and clean them, a very tasty fish.

What the heck - why did I never think of bleeding a bluefish?!? I always cut away at the dark meat after fileting. Do you still need to do this after bleeding?

 

[Eagleton95.99]

What the heck - why did I never think of bleeding a bluefish?!? I always cut away at the dark meat after fileting. Do you still need to do this after bleeding?

Yes. You need to bleed the gills right after catching, put on ice right away. And then cut off every piece of the dark red meat. Then it's really good eating. Cutting off the blood fat, or whatever it's called, is extra work. But usually you have so many bluefish that you don't have to be very careful about getting every bit of meat. Just hit the easy button and cut out the good parts. One easy method is to just cut out the good chunks from each fillet and make breaded fried fish tenders.

 

[RUDead]

Yes. You need to bleed the gills right after catching, put on ice right away. And then cut off every piece of the dark red meat. Then it's really good eating. Cutting off the blood fat, or whatever it's called, is extra work. But usually you have so many bluefish that you don't have to be very careful about getting every bit of meat. Just hit the easy button and cut out the good parts. One easy method is to just cut out the good chunks from each fillet and make breaded fried fish tenders.

Another thing that worked great for me was marinating the fliets bluefish in red wine vinaigrette for 30 min. Dry it off with a paper towel and cook the filets however you like. Easy and worked great.

Also, caught two keeper fluke in the bay this weekend.

 

[RUBubba]

Been awhile, but I would make bluefish bites. Chunks rolled in cornmeal with a little Cayanne, then fried. Great appetizer and an easy way to cut out the dark meat.

 

[RUTBAY1]

Smaller blues are better eating too. Any I’ve ever kept over 18” I’ve smoked and made smoked fish dip. A little Mayo, spices, and horseradish and it’s delicious.