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About a week and a half ago, I became a Jack Crevalle convert. Always threw back until a neighbor borrowed these two 14 lbrs. ensuring me they were great smoked. He was right!! Crystal River w/trout equipment and Bourbon colored Mirrolure 'lil Johns in 4 foot of water.
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Shhhhh. Not supposed to tell nobody. Great on the grill with italian dressing marinade too. Lots of fish that people scour about are rather good. Just look back 20 years ago and nobody ate Amberjack.
Looks good Doug ! !
WTG ! ! !
That's a couple of studs there Doug. I tasted one smoked for the first time in the mid nineties and waved money at the fella for more, but it was his lunch and no luck there. I was impressed, especially since everyone at that time told me they were a trash fish. Absolutely love their aggressive nature, fight like the devil himself.
UP-2, I'd say your trout gear is pretty durable, those jacks give you your moneys worth of a fight every time !!
Never caught any that big... But the fight from the minis I caught were awesome!
Keep throwing em back, they're no good... Throw those mullet back too :)
I haven't smoked a jack, but will now. Fried and grilled they're great
So true Micah, actually caught my personal best(15 lbs) out of Cedar Key about 5 years ago same technique. Actually, it brings to mine the saying "where there's smoke there's fire"...definitely FIRE in these smokers!! Ability to chase in boat was key to success, landing all three of these bruisers about 300 - 400 yds from hookup location. Would have easily been spooled all three times. I believe JC and bonito(never caught an amberjack) are lb 4 lb the linebackers of the inshore fishery.Quote:
Originally Posted by Speckanator
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Guys at Bass Pro think I am crazy spooling my reels with 325 yards of braid instead of just topping with 125-150 yards. Get a big jack or big bonito and they can make quick work of 200 yards of line in a hurry. Speaking of bonito, that is next on my list to tempt. Talked to a fellow that said to bleed and ice immediately and then after about 15 minutes in ice slush gut and gill. Clean em and take all bloodline out and treat like tuna and will not be able to taste the difference. Gonna try one next time i catch one. I have kept in past for cut bait and chum. But if they make table fare, even better to catch em.Quote:
Originally Posted by up2specks
They (can) make great table fare. Just cut the sides down to the bone in both directions in about 1" cubes, then filet.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntinslabs
Then store/freeze cubes in gallon size bags till next time you head offshore.
In a pinch Skipjack will work also. lol
But seriously, if I have a choice, i'll take a bunch of Grunts fried up over about anything else that swims.
Thats about exactly what I do with them now. But going to try and grill a piece next time. I dont catch many though. Just when they happen to blow up near me when fishing the shallow reefs here.Quote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
That would include Mullet. LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by huntinslabs
I never said you cant eat mullet. I said, I do not eat mullet. Not kind to my palet. I think they taste vile and disgusting. But I know many do and thats all good. Kinda how I think many things go in this world. 1 person tries it and says nope not edible so the rest of the community follows suit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yelim
I only do about 125 of braid w/mono backing w/uni-uni connection...had my share of experiences, including 125 lb. class Tarpon, 2 bonita, keeper cobia, huge Snook, with only one occasion of a spool-out because of an anchored up, one man scenario. My opinion, it's all about the run & gun rodeo to chase 'em down. I bleed/ice all the appropriate fish(including JC) but I personally would not try bonita again. Two(legal) leader touches on Tarpon on trout tackle over the years. Fifty - sixty minute run/gun battles, somewhat inhumane on Mr.T, but the adrenaline rush was stellar. They all swam off easily on their own.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntinslabs
The proper (quick release) anchor setup is a must when Tarpon fishing.Quote:
Originally Posted by up2specks
Especially under the keys bridges with the current running like a fast train.
Get the engine running, reach over and release the anchor with a jerk on the line, and get the boat and hopefully the fish away from the bridge asap. Then hope it dosent decide to run back thru a different span with another anchored boat. lol
Nice thing about having spot lock on trolling motor, start motor and push button to un anchor. Want to get down to the keys and fish someday. Had fished quite often down your way in Jupiter and Stuart till my buddy got consumed with mountain bikes and road bikes. He sold his Maverick and his Seavee aint moved in almost 2 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
Well if you talking about a trolling moter as a replacement for an anchor, ive learned to never say no, but I'm afraid id have to see it work in the environment I described. If you want to fish in the Keys for Tarpon, now thru May would be the best time to go. But then it could be the best time there for lots of other things also. Spinners are used for pretty much everything down there at least partly due to the live bait use. Medium/ heavy with say a 7500 Penn, with 30# mono like Ande, with an 80# plain mono leader. Nothing fancy, just a short double line with a spider hitch and an Alberto or similar to connect the leader. My first choice would be Bahia Honda, probably followed by Long Key.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntinslabs
I have not seen the flow at the bridges in the keys to say it certainly would hold but it has taken everything I have thrown at it here. Tarpon is not even on my radar, but many things down there are. And just to say been there and done that. Love your area with the stream so close to shore.
Looks like a lot of fun
Just jerking yer chain Mike. Thanks for the info on the tackle.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntinslabs
I knew that, we all good. Still aint eatin no dang mullet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yelim