Thread: Junk Fish

Sorry for all the recent series of posts! Guess the -30 degree temps with -55 windchill is getting me thinking of warmer climes. Are there any types of fish commonly caught on the pier or maybe even surf fishing in the area that are inedible or maybe some sort of invasive? Would rather not catch something, clean it, eat it and spend the next several days throwing up or dead! LOL!

Maybe "Junk Fish" wasn't the best thread title but couldn't think of anything different...

Not many folks have a very high opinion of hardhead catfish and remoras are absolutely reviled. The lionfish is an invasive, but I don't think any of them are caught inshore---they're supposed to be good to eat once you get past the poisonous spines. Pretty much everything you will catch is edible, it just may not taste good. Watch out for bad oysters.

LOL! I know all about bad oysters!

Don't eat the 'yellow snow' either ;-)

It is amazing to think of the fish now consumed that generally were considered "junk fish" just a few years ago.

In 1980 hardly anyone else ate sheepshead...
Been eating guaguanche barracuda for 10 years
I have recently tried ladyfish (skipjack), and it is OK too.

I have talked to folks (not from around here) who think hardheads taste just fine,
and I'm NOT gonna argue with them.
But we all have to draw the line somewhere ;-) lol

I tried a spit roasted Hardtail, it was good.
I like shark steaks, some people won't even try them.
My son loves Gafftop cat, he catches a big one, its his dinner. I tried it, its OK.
Several have tried various recipes on Jacks and said they'd no longer throw'em back, this is one I have still to try.

While you are not eating the yellow snow, be sure to avoid the wild chocolate that often grows nearby.

Heck, I remember when triggerfish were considered trash and you couldn't give away amberjack---both of which make my tummy real happy. Fresh hardtail fillets on the grill are pretty good, too, if they are big enough to cook without drying out.

bluefish are often called trash fish to but i love em!

Large Black Drum is the only fish I have found to be inedible so far. They have this weird gelatinous stuff between the muscles that makes it downright nasty. Small Puppy black drum are very good eating, but I wont keep another big one.
I hear that Bermuda chubs are pretty bad, very strong iodine taste, they say big pinfish are the same. I've caught pinfish offshore that must have been 3-4#!

Jack crevalle are good, have a very firm texture, almost like pork. I used it in fish curry and it was great.
Big hardtails and bluefish are fine also, just cut out the red junk in the fillet. They are a little stronger tasting but then aren't fish supposed to taste like fish???

I have not tried ladyfish or hardhead cats yet, but who know, might give them a shot someday.

Some people i Have talked to saved they will Boil Lady Fish Get the meat of the bones and make Patties i have tried And it was actually Good… But I won't Keep a Lady Fish in my cooler cause they Make a Pretty good mess. I do like Blue Fish Grilled with some Creole Seasoning and other good stuff. Theres No telling what his i will eat the Best yet is Trigger Aj's Grouper Wahoo And Snapper