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edible saltwater fish question

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Hcarson

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Jul 10, 2003, 10:02:01 AM7/10/03
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On a recent gulf coast charter, I caught a large jack carvel ( about 50lbs. or so),  why are these guys not edible? bloody? boney?, I have also caught tom tate grunts, and the crew tells me those are no good too, and finally, what's the deal with the saltwater cats? they look like the catfish we catch and eat in fresh water.. come on guys, give me the lowdown
thanks,

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Hugh Carson
hcarson@ staff.farmerstel.com

George F. Pinson

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Jul 10, 2003, 1:55:31 PM7/10/03
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On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 09:02:01 -0500, "Hcarson"
<hca...@farmerstel.com> wrote:

>On a recent gulf coast charter, I caught a large jack carvel
>( about 50lbs. or so), why are these guys not edible?
>bloody? boney?, I have also caught tom tate grunts, and
>the crew tells me those are no good too, and finally,
>what's the deal with the saltwater cats? they look like
>the catfish we catch and eat in fresh water.. come on
>guys, give me the lowdown thanks,

There is debate on whether the small Jacks (1 to 2 lbs are
edible. There is no debate on the large ones. Absolutely
not!!!!!! I have cousin that lived in Homossasa, FL for
almost 10 years. He said he tried every method for cleaning
and cooking the Jack and finally gave up. The fish is just
plain nasty tasting.

On the catfish, if it is the Sail Cat
(http://www.acfishing.com/fishid/gulftopsailcatfish.gif) and
you can get past the slime to clean it, then the meat is
surprisingly good, if you are talking about the smaller
(commonly called the hardhead)
http://www.acfishing.com/fishid/hardheadcatfish.gif
then it is worse than the big Jacks.

Gary

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Jul 13, 2003, 1:32:44 AM7/13/03
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Yes, the jacks are very bloody fish - good fight - the amber jack is what you what for the table however. I have seen
folks eat hardhead catfish but not me, and I guess you were asking about hard heads as they do look like fresh
water cats until one fins you then you'll understand the difference, the catfish you want is the gaftop or sailfin cat - you'll
know when you catch one - the fins are very long compared to the body - good eating just heavy slime. Where did you fish?
Gary  

Hcarson

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Jul 14, 2003, 2:42:16 PM7/14/03
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thanks guys, but what about the "grunts", they call the ruby red lips, fishing out of destin fl.

--
Hugh Carson
hcarson@ staff.farmerstel.com

Lu Powell

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Jul 14, 2003, 3:35:28 PM7/14/03
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They are edible, though smaller ones can be awfully bony. If 10 inches
or more in length....

The palm - size fillets you'll get off that fish are wonderfully sweet
and delicious, especially when deep-fried with hushpuppies, cheese grits
and homemade coleslaw on the side. (Redneck fixin's)

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Gary

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Jul 14, 2003, 7:36:33 PM7/14/03
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Well, I sure agree, most of the "pan fish" are fine to eat - a few bones
but...
grunts, whiting, croaker, spadefish, even a pinfish will do in a pinch. If I
were you I'd stay away from weird looking fish - lizardfish, toadfish,
stargazers(man will they knock the crap out of you) - although the flounders
are odd looking but mighty fine.... you might want to pick up a book on the
subject.
Gary

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jp

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Jul 17, 2003, 10:34:30 AM7/17/03
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Try eating one and you will see, one of the worst fish that I ever tasted
(in my opinion). There are much better fish to eat that a jack that is for
sure.

All the best
Pelican Pete
www.outdoorsflorida.com


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