I took the kids out Sunday,05/20/19 for their first offshore trip. They are completely hooked. My step son caught a little tunny around 20 pounds and it was his day maker. He insisted on eating the dreaded little tunny… I have always known them as bait but I filleted the fish and carved off the brown meat. He ate it and loved it. I tried it and it was like any seared tuna ive had before. Whats the biggest? Anyone else with a similair experience. Call me crazy…
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Originally posted by killinRI took the kids out Sunday,05/20/19 for their first offshore trip. They are completely hooked. My step son caught a little tunny around 20 pounds and it was his day maker. He insisted on eating the dreaded little tunny… I have always known them as bait but I filleted the fish and carved off the brown meat. He ate it and loved it. I tried it and it was like any seared tuna ive had before. Whats the deal? Anyone else with a similar experience. Call me crazy…
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
I bleed and ice them as soon as they get in the boat. I don’t eat it straight raw sashimi style but will make poke, sear it or boil and make a tuna salad. The tuna salad is really good, much better than canned stuff.
Glad to see ya’ll tried it!!! We’ve been eating them for years…And they are just as good as blackfin tuna!!! I do the same bleeding them soon as caught and only keep the top and bottom fillets, none of the dark line in middle(same to blackfin). I have friends that still will not try them (their pride keeps them from trying LOL) Blackened or grilled just don’t over cook! IF any is left, making tuna salad is great as Rapchizzle said. The belly’s are really good strip bait also.
Kencraft 23T
twin 175f Suzuki’s
I was pleasantly surprised. Ive always listened to everyone say they were trash.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
I’ve only kept one – didn’t do anything fancy, just grilled it, chilled it, and then made tuna salad. Turned out pretty good.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18
Conchfish 178 build in progress…
That’s my plan from now on. Im going to try a tuna salad next time rather than making bait. They sure fight hard.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Be sure to remove all traces of the bloodline. Something I have done with yellowfin , blackfin and little tuny is make belly meat & loin meat bacon. I leave the skin and remove the inner membrane - make a mixture of 1/4 brown sugar to 3/4 non iodized salt in a plastic container. Place the meat in the mixture completely covered for 24 hours. cold smoke ( below 130*) for 5-6 hours Remove the outer skin. Slice it thin like bacon and you don’t even need to fry it!
I’ll try that. Is it any good on the smoker after it has been frozen?
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
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Originally posted by killinRI’ll try that. Is it any good on the smoker after it has been frozen?
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Never tried using frozen - but I bet it would work!
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Originally posted by killinRThat’s my plan from now on. Im going to try a tuna salad next time rather than making bait. They sure fight hard.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Out of all the cooking methods I have used prior to turning it into tuna salad, I like boiling the loins the best. That helps to get any excess blood or juices out and produces an easy to crumble product. I have baked, broiled, pan seared and grilled it through but prefer boiling hands down.
I do this with big skipjacks as well. Got three in the 20 lb range last weekend.
Can someone post a pic of the ones you can eat, and the ones you absolutely stay away from? I can never keep it straight.
I always look at this pic off the internet. I think if it has stripes, it’s good. Spots, no bueno. quote]Originally posted by Redstripe
Can someone post a pic of the ones you can eat, and the ones you absolutely stay away from? I can never keep it straight.
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36 ft Yellowfin Yamaha Trip 300
27 ft Seahunt Yamaha Twin 200
Heres the pic of the one he caught. It had the spots on its belly.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Did you bleed it? Maybe that would help. Ive never tried them but maybe Im missing out on something. They do make great bait and chum.
36 ft Yellowfin Yamaha Trip 300
27 ft Seahunt Yamaha Twin 200
Yes I did. Ive always used them for bait too and never actually tried one until that one. It tasted like normal tuna.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Same fish we been eating for years. GREAT!!!
Kencraft 23T
twin 175f Suzuki’s
Tridogs, that pic you made up… HILL ARIOUS! LOL!
Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC
Cant take credit for it. Just copied off the internet.
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Originally posted by DillyDallyTridogs, that pic you made up… HILL ARIOUS! LOL!
Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC
36 ft Yellowfin Yamaha Trip 300
27 ft Seahunt Yamaha Twin 200
I think whoever made that pic got the Bonito and Tunny mixed up. Its pretty universal that Bonito is no good. What happens is they mix up the Little tunny and call them Bonito. Thats where the bad rap comes in… until they try it like OP! Atlantic Bonito are NOT a true tuna…Little Tunny ARE a tuna. But keep throwing them back, more for me!!! 