Bycatch

the rockfish ninja · August 18, 2024, 11:51:55 PM

Was out fishing for Butts to help out a friend get his commercial numbers up and ran into this guy. Thought it was a Halibut from the size but it turned out to be the biggest Starry I've seen, let alone caught.
He can't sell them so it went home with me, now how do I want to cook this baby up?

Hardy Boy · August 19, 2024, 12:35:40 AM

Cook like any white fish. Some have a strong iodine taste. I usually don't keep them. Let us know what you think (taste).

Todd

Swami805 · August 19, 2024, 12:39:31 AM

Cool looking fish, I had to look it up, it says they get to 3' and 20lb. Never tried it but the book says they're delicious. I'd think quickly sautéed in butter,olive oil and garlic but I'm sure there's other ways. Nice catch!!

the rockfish ninja · August 19, 2024, 03:16:24 AM

Quote from: Hardy Boy on August 19, 2024, 12:35:40 AMCook like any white fish. Some have a strong iodine taste. I usually don't keep them. Let us know what you think (taste).

Todd

I'm already familiar with them, love the small ones, was concerned about the flavor on this one due to it being so big, but it tasted clean with just a hint of ocean. Maybe cause I caught it offshore.

Hardy Boy · August 19, 2024, 03:31:40 AM

Thats great. I've heard of strong ones but not often. There can be some big ones up here usually caught shallower than where we fish for pacific halibut. Some nice ones caught from docks by kids.

Cheers

Todd

sabaman1 · August 19, 2024, 04:43:17 AM

Flounder type fish always go great in a cioppino. You can always make a cioppino base and freeze it for when you get some white fleshed fish to cook. Add the base and some other seafood and your fish and its ready in minutes. Nice catch Ninja, that's a beauty.

thorhammer · August 19, 2024, 02:37:39 PM

Nice work, Tony!

steelfish · August 19, 2024, 04:31:58 PM

hey amigo TOny, its good to see you back in action and getting a nice fish

Crab Pot · August 19, 2024, 10:59:08 PM

When my Dad was stationed at Treasure Island (San Francisco Bay for those that don't know) he and I would catch Starry's all day from the east side rock wall. I always remembered them as delicious table fare but we NEVER caught one that big!

12 to 14 inchers all day though.

Where was that one caught Ninja?

Steve

the rockfish ninja · August 20, 2024, 06:30:22 AM

Quote from: Crab Pot on August 19, 2024, 10:59:08 PMWhen my Dad was stationed at Treasure Island (San Francisco Bay for those that don't know) he and I would catch Starry's all day from the east side rock wall. I always remembered them as delicious table fare but we NEVER caught one that big!

12 to 14 inchers all day though.

Where was that one caught Ninja?

Steve

A few miles outside of the GG, on the SF bar.

Back in those days they were plentiful, common catch off the piers when I was a kid, now very rare.

Crab Pot · August 21, 2024, 01:01:26 AM

Quote from: the rockfish ninja on August 20, 2024, 06:30:22 AMA few miles outside of the GG, on the SF bar.

I've crushed the Sand Dabs on SF Bar. My buddy's thought they are a trash fish till I cooked some up on a camping trip, they're believers now!

Always wanted to catch a Pacific Halibut out there but can't keep the Kalifornia Halibut off and the occasional shark.

I've never caught a Starry outside of the Bay.

Steve