One last time…
You said, “I will buy all you have.” “I have no limt.”
What will you pay for 40 pounds of gutted, despined, heads on lionfish?
IM4–long as they are fish a decent size w/o holes thru the bodies…I could between 8-10# …i found a fisherman in the Keys who sells them for 5 a #, its a bycatch to his lobstering and restaurants in Miami are all over him…I doubt you have any but if you do…Ive given you my contact info…Im not playing games…either you have the fish and wanna sell or you dont…I’m guessin if you had the fish you would have already call and we could have worked all this out
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
quote:
Originally posted by chefparrotheadIM4–long as they are fish a decent size w/o holes thru the bodies…I could between 8-10#
Ahh, the holes…
Chef, this post has stirred up alot attention with my dive buddies. We are working on some ideas for this lack of holes. I hope to be in touch.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Thanks chef, the net’s the deal.
$8-$10 per lb on a fish with a 32% yield?..When did you start working at the Woodlands or the Sanctuary? You are going to have almost $30 per lb in the fish before portioning or plating. You should never have to pay more than grouper for lionfish.
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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”
quote:Scootin', this ain't rocket science bud! Work on your aim a little bit and them point the spear at the part of the fish most of us refer to as "the head"...
Originally posted by Scoutin 4 Goodiesquote:
Originally posted by chefparrotheadIM4–long as they are fish a decent size w/o holes thru the bodies…I could between 8-10#
Ahh, the holes…
Chef, this post has stirred up alot attention with my dive buddies. We are working on some ideas for this lack of holes. I hope to be in touch.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
quote:Supply and demand! We are talking about an exotic species here that is much more difficult to harvest than a grouper!
Originally posted by sellsfish$8-$10 per lb on a fish with a 32% yield?..When did you start working at the Woodlands or the Sanctuary? You are going to have almost $30 per lb in the fish before portioning or plating. You should never have to pay more than grouper for lionfish.
.
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”
sells-- Paul I wasn’t being sersious and I know he doesnt have any fish because he would have called me if he did, atleast if he wanted to make some money he would have… Also grouper is 6.79#, just got some fresh yellow edge in yesterday and for the record I did find some Lionfish and it it going for $5.00 #, thats what I am paying for it as are many other restraunts he sells to, but thanxs for looking out Paul and no Paul I know I shouldnt be paying more then Grouper just throw that number out to see what “that kidd” would say. The locals guys never came thru for me so had to source it out and yes paul I am buying from a commercial fisherman , he mainly deals in lobsters but catchs lionfish as a by-catch… Hopefully someday these local guys can deliver what they promise because I am sick of being burned, and paul you know how I roll about being burned, guess I have to wait till May when the grouper opens back up or better yet stick with the guy I found… Also found a dive shop in NC who is working with NOAA studing the Lionfish, they go out and dive for them and bring them to a NOAA scientist and he filets them for this shop to sell and then keep the stomachs
Scoutin4goodies— if you and your dive buddies all have proper lic and get some please contact me… I am always willing to buy some, if the price is right… Id love for us to be able to create a viable market here in Charleston…
But to all-- Glad we all could have a great discussion about all this, just wish the jerk-offs would leave the reel fishing to the men and stop acting like little boys about the whole thing…
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
This fishery is not Florida. To risk going down 100’ and getting this bejeezus stung out of you for a 1lb fish that you can get $5.00 for doesn’t seem worth it. It’s more than just going down and killing one. First, you have to go down 100’. Then, you have to kill one without getting stung. Then, you have to remove your spear without getting stung. Then, you have to carry it without getting stung (those spines will stick right out of a mesh bag or stringer). Then, you have to carry it up 100’ to the surface without getting stung. Then, you have to put it on ice and maybe move fish around in your cooler without getting stung…
That’s why diver’s are not bringing them home. It’s really not worth it for a fish worth $5.00. A BIG lionfish is worth $10. No thanks!!! I would rather not have severe pain, vomitting, and shortness of breath at 100’. I don’t think that people are inquiring because they have them in the freezer waiting to sell. I think people are inquiring about the market price to determine if it is worth their time and effort or not on future trips. Surely, it is NOT! At least not to me! Maybe some will find that it is and more power to them!
Lionfish venom:
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Lionfish
quote:
However, a lionfish's sting is usually not fatal to humans. If a human is envenomed, that person will experience extreme pain, and possibly headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. A common treatment is soaking the afflicted area in hot water, as very few hospitals carry specific treatments. However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people are more susceptible to the venom than others.
PS, I am not saying this to be a “jerk off”. I’m just pointing out that this might be WHY you aren’t getting more interest locally. In florida, they can ca
Skinneej,
Your points are all valid and I totally agree; when grouper are in season. Normally I simply lance the side of lion fish and leave them to die while I hunt grouper. Since the grouper closure I usually leave the gun on the boat and instead shoot pictures. Killing lionfish is a way to make it through the off season with more than just dive pictures to show for it. True the economics of it are weak at best, but that’s usually how offshore fishing goes.
14’ Pamlico 140 Angler w/ rudder
Kayak, SCUBA, or both.
Good for you on a reliable source for $5.00/lb.
I don’t play either.
This kids homework was complete almost 4 years ago.
Certified SC state scales, complete traceability.
Over the past 12 months, a low of $11.94 and a high of $16.38.
It is currently on the high side and should trend back down after March 27th.
The historic lows have been set around August 18th until September 3rd.
skineej- Im of the belief that all we need to do is create the “want” or desire for the fish by diners then we will have plenty willing to go out and catch them …and as far as the whole getting stung thing. I was fileting Lionfish from 7 am till about 2:30 this afternoon and of course I went thru and cut off all their dorsal fins and then fileted them and I had my fishing gloves on and I got pricked about 5-6 times and didnt feel any different. The first few times I was nervous waiting for something to happen but it never did…
as far as Charleston not being able to have a Local market for Lionfish I dont beleive it… Other chefs have tried to get some and fell short but if they had took ten minutes and did a litle research they could have found some very easily… Their is a place in Beaufort NC, a dive shop who is all about going out and killing Lionfish , they are working together as a partner with NOAA, studing them… They bring in there catch hand it over to the Noaa guy , he filets them and gives them back to the shop and they sell them around town, they were able to hook me up with a few and they may be sending me more if they go out this weekend…Ill bet this summer when Grouper opens back up I will bet you will begin seeing Lionfish at Many Charleston restaurants, I know I will be serving it…I have found a good hand full of place now where I can get it from… we are all just waiting for the weather to break, just been to windy offshore 8-10 ft seas isnt fun for any kind of fishing…mark my words… this is the start of the new sought after fish and I will be on the ground floor since I have already served it a few times and am about to serve it again and we have been the only place really able to get any granted I have been doing my homeowrk and finding guys and collecting phone numbers but thats just part of the biz…Lionfish…its whats for dinner
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
I like your attitude and I sincerely hope that you are right!
chefparrothead, I have always hated homework, unless it involved hunting and fishing! Im impressed with your tenacity esp. with this crowd. I will work with Vic when the weather warms up and see what we can do, there are lots of them on skinneej’s numbers! we do see a lot of them, normally stick them with a pole spear and leave them for the lobster,(just pulling your chain Jason, the wind is blowing!)
If it got any better I couldn’t stand it.
Bug–that would be awesome… I spoke with Victor yesterday he was telling all he is waiting for is a break in weather… Id love to get some from him and or you
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
well to all our dinner was a HUGE hit. Everyone loved the Lionfish, some even said they may like better Trigger fish… So I dont think we will have a problem selling any…so come one come all…if you have a commercail lic and a whole-sellers and you go out and catch some lionfish…send me a PM…Il buy them, long as the price is right…good luck guys
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
quote:
Originally posted by chefparrotheadwell to all our dinner was a HUGE hit. Everyone loved the Lionfish, some even said they may like better Trigger fish… So I dont think we will have a problem selling any…so come one come all…if you have a commercail lic and a whole-sellers and you go out and catch some lionfish…send me a PM…Il buy them, long as the price is right…good luck guys
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Chef… GREAT attitude!!!
Glad your dinner went well. I’ll donate EVERY Lionfish I can bring back this year, to your cause. Just let me know where to drop them off. I hate those things! This is a great way to help our fishery, and try to minimize the impact of another invasive species.
Keep up the good work, and try to find new ways to get the fishing community involved in your efforts. Stop in and talk to all of the bait & tackle shops around town? See if they will let you hang fliers on the windows (or even hand them out to customers for you), explaining what you are trying to do??? Get all (both) dive shops on board. I think even the Charleston Scuba folks, who are traditionally AGAINST spearing, might bend their rules a bit for a good cause. Lowcountry (Vic) is obviously on board (on point, actually). Hang up fliers at all of the marinas around town, letting people know why we should remove Lionfish from our waters, AND THEN what they can do with them.
I missed out on a basketball sized Lionfish last year. Way back under a ledge, and I didn’t have much bottom time left so I didn’t take the shot. Wonder if he is still there???
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PS: If a fly lost it’s wings, would it be called a walk?
I am on the way back from diving Roatan Honduras where they crush some lionfish. They had a lionfish tournament and over 2 weekends they killed 1145 lionfish. The divemasters car Hawaiian slings and kill lionfish on every dive. There are certain areas off charleston that have more lionfish than others but the diving isn’t accessible enuf with enuf people diving and killing to make a feasible business selling lionfish. The only people that have a voice of argument in this are the ones that see and do off of charleston…which isn’t very many people. Best of luck though with the gung ho business towards killing this invasive species. IF gas wasn’t gonna be 4.50 a gallon this summer it would make shooting 10 lionfish over 1 grouper more appealing in the eyes of divers.
Way to go Chef!!