Bottom fish as table fare

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

How would rank our bottom dwellers as table fare from top to bottom?

(ARS, grouper, beeliners, bsb, grunt, etc.) Any that are not tasty at all?

Next time you come in, come heavy, or not at all…

2

Triggers, Grouper and black sea bass are at the top of the list for me. There’s really not much that isn’t delicious when you’re bottom fishing.

Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W

3

I agree with Captain Killin. With decent numbers, the bottom is always dependable for numbers of quality eating fish.

Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha

4
  1. Trigger
  2. grouper
  3. snapper
  4. BSB

Redfish Baron Extraordinaire

www.baturinphotography.com

5
  1. Hogfish, if you can catch one
  2. Trigger
  3. BSB
  4. Grouper
  5. Snapper

Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com

“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose

6

With that logic, I’ll add tilefish to the list too. Delish, but we rarely catch em.

Redfish Baron Extraordinaire

www.baturinphotography.com

7

Don’t forget the pinkies… way under rated imho.
Triggers and grouper definitely top my list though.

Never Satisfied
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Never-Satisfied-Fishing-and-Cruising/199406440221361

8
  1. Triggers
  2. Grouper
  3. Black Sea Bass
  4. Red Snapper
  5. B-Liners, Grunts, Porgies

Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250

9

Anyone ever try a rudder fish? That is one fish that I can say is absolutely disgusting. I read somewhere that it had the same side effects as eating Escolar fish. Thankfully I wasnt blessed with the week long fury of the fish after consuming it. Horrible fishy taste though.

Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W

10

1.Grouper- (the deeper, the better)
2.African Pompano
3.Hog Snapper
4.Trigger
5.Sea Bass (eaten right away)

Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.

  • More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927

31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs

11
quote:
Originally posted by Touche

1.Grouper- (the deeper, the better)
2.African Pompano
3.Hog Snapper
4.Trigger
5.Sea Bass (eaten right away)

Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.

  • More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927

31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs

Interesting–african pompano and hogfish…I’ve never had either.

Next time you come in, come heavy, or not at all…

12

Tough question. It depends my taste buds and what I’m craving that day.

I don’t think I’ve eaten bottom fish yet that I didn’t like.

Grouper is probably my personal favorite but it’s tough to get a list in order after that.

13

I would rather eat a bsb than anything else in the Ocean save Crabs/lobster.

14

Are you kidding KillinR? Rudder is a great fish when fresh. Mild, buttery, and firm when done right.
Personally trigger and grouper are number one for me, but ARS are awesome too.

15

Actually, the bottom fish off our coast are not good table fare. I’d stay on the dock, cruise around the harbor or spend the day beached a Capers. I’ll take one for the team and spend the day on the open ocean warning other fishermen. :wink:

“Temptation may lean on the doorbell… opportunity may only knock once”

16
quote:
Originally posted by Warbler
quote:
Originally posted by Touche

1.Grouper- (the deeper, the better)
2.African Pompano
3.Hog Snapper
4.Trigger
5.Sea Bass (eaten right away)

Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.

  • More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927

31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs

Interesting–african pompano and hogfish…I’ve never had either.

Next time you come in, come heavy, or not at all…

A big hog snapper fillet is awesome. I don’t hardly dive anymore so only get to eat it when a friend passes it along. We put a couple of APs in the boat a few months back and it was some of the best fish I have ever had.

Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.

  • More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927

31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs

17

  1. Hogfish…pure white meat, shellfish overtones

  2. Coney / Graysbe…dense flesh, strong grouper flavor

  3. African Pompano…White flesh, great grilled

  4. Scamp…best the local groupers

  5. Trigger…“Atlantic porkchops”

  6. BSB…White meat, very large flake, great for chowder or stew

  7. Gag…big thick fillet, good block presentation,

  8. Jolthead…surprise! these are awesome! better than snapper

  9. B=liner…best whole fish presentation.

  10. Rosefish…deep drop fish, dense flesh and high fat= flavor

.
PROUD YANKEE

Oyster Baron

NMFS = No More Fishing Season

“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”

18

So how can we target African Pompano?

19

1-Snowy Grouper (the throats i’ve eaten from big ones (20lb+) taste shellfishy and have the texture similar to chicken.)
2-Tilefish
3-other groupers
4- big snappers
5- Blackbelly Rosefish
6-Hogfish

20

Sea bass are my personal favorite

Pat Condon
“Carla Dee”