| Along the Texas Gulf Coast, there's a tuna-ish looking fish that the
locals call JackFish. I've also heard them called AmberJacks. I
don't know if this is the same as false albacore or not.
I spent and hour and 45 minutes one time landing one that went 18 lbs.
I was using 14 lb. line with a 7 ft. saltwater rod. It's initial run
had the drag on my Garcia Ambassador 5500C literally screaming. After
that, most of the fight resembled a stand off. It would just park itself
and eventually yield to constant pressure which I was applying. All
in all, it really wasn't much fun after the first few minutes. If I
ever hook one again, I'll break the line.
Afterwards, I tried to eat it. I baked it for about 3 hours after
marinating it overnight in soy sauce and worcerstire sauce. One
bite later, I threw it away. In my opinion, it was definitely NOT
edible. For what it's worth, this fish is considered worse than
a trash fish along the Gulf Coast. Not only are they poor quality
eating, but they can ruin a good fishing trip. They travel in fairly
large schools and are vicious when attacking other fish. The result
is often that the fish you are after are spooked off. Also, I've
heard that they get to be 40 or 50 lbs.
Does this sound like anything you guys see up north?
Jerry
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| Yeah, Amberjacks are not very closely related to tuna at all. They can attain
a pretty fair size; 70-90 lb fish are not all that uncommon. They are, as
was stated, fightin' fish. No wonder it took an hour and 45 minutes, you were
using ultralight tackle! ;^) 30 lb tackle is a better choice.
As for the poor eating, I'm not sure if they are normally good eating or
not, but just about any fish is going to taste lousy (or sub par at least)
after a 1 hr 45 minute fight. The buildup of lactic acid in the muscle
breaks down the flesh and makes it taste fishy tasting. The adrenaline buildup
also contribute to this effect.
The Doctah
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| >> <<< Note 43.9 by WAHOO::LEVESQUE "A question of balance..." >>>
>> As for the poor eating, I'm not sure if they are normally good eating or
>>not, but just about any fish is going to taste lousy (or sub par at least)
>>after a 1 hr 45 minute fight. The buildup of lactic acid in the muscle
>>breaks down the flesh and makes it taste fishy tasting. The adrenaline buildup
>>also contribute to this effect.
Doctah,
That's a heck of an observation. I have caught small jacks (less than
a pound) that were pretty good eating. I always just figured that as
they matured, their flesh just got oilier and stronger tasting. Maybe
it's just their own tenacious fighting style that makes 'em so
unpalatable.
By the way, along the Texas Gulf Coast, they have a reputation for being
hard fish to bring in, and generally not worth it. They have large,
wide (tall?) bodies which they turn against the current and turn
the fight into a tug-o-war. And often by the time you get one in,
any other fish in the area have left. Maybe the reason that they are
poor eating is because you just about got to wear 'em out to get 'em
in the boat.
Jerry
P.S. Moderator, it appears that I've ratholed this topic. Sorry, it
wasn't my intention. Please feel free to move this and related replies
to wherever you deem appropriate.
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