My shimano spheros seems to only be happy with a bonnet head on the hook. Or maybe the bonnets out there think only that rig is worthy to bite. Either way that reel sees some shark action. Of all the bonnets I've ever landed, only one was on a different reel.
I'm told they're the best tasting shark, all they eat is shrimp and crabs, so it's believable. My wife keeps telling me to keep one, she's from Trinidad and fried shark is super popular down there. But for some dumb reason I feel bad about killing a shark, when I have no such reservations about any other fish category.
The shadows make the 2nd pic look bigger, I didn't measure but neither was over 3' to the fork.
I can understand the catch & release, such a cool looking creature.
??? Did you buy new Tupperware for the new house ? 8) I have not tried bonnet yet but have done a few black tips .... good eating ..
Try one, but save the fins. If you like it, try some more when you finish consuming each one but save the fins! Next, is shark fin soup!
They are very tasty and plentiful here.
They are great eating.
Well as of today, reds are back on the menu for us SW FL folks. Well, some of us. So hopefully I'll see one of them soon. Hopefully in the 18-27" range.
nice little fella'
so, 3' is a legal size to keep the shark?
Yes in Florida waters . https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/sharks/
Quote from: ReelFishingProblems on June 02, 2021, 12:23:18 AM
They are great eating.
I tried one once and it was awful, with an awful smell. Is there a special way of cleaning them?
They store urea in their muscle. It's difficult to get it out.
is that like bull sharks... to store salt, for going well upstream of the salt line for extended periods?
maybe, that's where you gotta' catch 'em for food -- in barely-brackish/fresh inlets... pre-rinsed of pee, LOL
That had to be a blast in a kayak,,,,,,,, ;D
Quote from: oldmanjoe on June 02, 2021, 02:31:02 AM
Yes in Florida waters . https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/sharks/
hmm I would never though that some sharks have no minimum size to be legal to keep
here in Mexico most of the "fish tacos" are made outta shark meat, some fancy restaurants use different fish for fish tacos as seabass or halibutt.
I used to eat fish tacos (shark) when kind, but in the last 15 years I only use the fish I caught so, my fish tacos now are made outta grouper, YT, seabass or spanish macks.
PS: if you ever what to try those bonnetsharks and you detect a high smell of urea, put the fillets in milk for 20-30 minutes before put your choice of flour or panko
We seem to have an endless supply of them here in Florida ion the east coast. Some days it's just one after another.
Quote from: Breadfan on June 23, 2021, 02:06:00 PM
We seem to have an endless supply of them here in Florida ion the east coast. Some days it's just one after another.
They aren't quite that plentiful here on the sunset side, but still quite common. And they seem to have a different reaction to atmospheric conditions than other fish, so they are biting on days when other fish are quiet. Which is very kind of them, the weekend that generated this thread woulda been a zero fish weekend without their intervention.
I remember my first bonnethead. I thought it was a "baby hammerhead shark" :o
Now, I don't doubt bonnetheads are good eating. I'm sure they taste just fine. I'm just unsure if diet dictates palatability. Dogfish also eat a lot of crabs and shellfish, and they don't taste too good . . .
I eat Blackfin sharks when I catch the little ones off my dock.
The first thing to do is cut the belly open and flush it out with fresh water while it's still in the landing new. They are great and good for you.
Keith
Quote from: newport on July 13, 2021, 06:11:16 AM
I remember my first bonnethead. I thought it was a "baby hammerhead shark" :o
Now, I don't doubt bonnetheads are good eating. I'm sure they taste just fine. I'm just unsure if diet dictates palatability. Dogfish also eat a lot of crabs and shellfish, and they don't taste too good . . .
Diet does affect the flavor of the fish, or really any animal. that seems settled. Ya know, the whole "you are what you eat" thing. But there are definitely other factors at play as well, because you're absolutely right. Snook, redfish, and sea trout all have very similar diets but taste completely different. Biology isn't really my thing, so I can't really give a better explanation.
I can ;D
diet matters WITHIN THE RANGE OF FLAVOR FOR A GIVEN SPECIES
if it's generally tasty, better diet makes it excellent
if it's not table-worthy, better diet makes it better crap... but, still crap
Could be water quality has a bigger effect. Is it just my imagination, or do trout/salmon species taste better if they've been focused in crustacean consumption?
"water quality has a bigger effect" on what quantities can be consumed safely
you can't taste trace amounts of PCB's, mercury, etc.
freshly-stocked trout tastes like crap & smells like dogfood, in PA
hatchery pellets are formulated for maximum growth at minimum cost -- flavor is not a factor
first couple months after Fall stocking -- abundant, but NOT TABLE-WORTHY, IMHO
by mid-Feb, I'm lucky to get 2 or 3, BUT THEY HAVE "SHOULDERS" & their bellies are full of
"brown crunchy mess" that I assume to be mostly crustaceans & aquatic insects;
and pinkish/orangish flesh is DELICIOUS (early Fall stomach content is mostly corn & PowerBait)