Intel on LJ bonita - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

swinginFish · 08-26-2015, 09:08 AM

Seeking Intel on LJ bonita. Last few go out the few I got were small and schooling with greenbacks. Pretty much target YT &/or WSB when fishing LJ, but love to bring in decent size bonita at end of trip (meat goes mushy if in hull too long). So, simply want to know if bigger units have found their way to the ends of LJ lines these last few days.

Thanks,

Avery

Pocoloco · 08-26-2015, 09:17 AM

Caught one on iron last week. Was around 24" and thought it was a YT.
Lots of fun

fisher_4_life · 08-26-2015, 09:36 AM

I took my skiff out last Friday and caught 6 Bonita, two of which were huge. They were all caught slow trolling sardines. I realize this wasn't from a kayak but figured it might help to answer your question.

Dannowar · 08-26-2015, 09:40 AM

Shot a 30" a few weeks back right outside the mlpa off the point. Right at the kelp line.

RK · 08-26-2015, 10:46 AM

lots around the kelp right now avery

FISH11 · 08-26-2015, 11:44 AM

They're fun to catch, tuff to keep alive in a live well. But when I think of La Jolla Bonita, this is the one that comes to mind.

LSmoot · 09-02-2015, 04:32 PM

I got a 26" Bonito in LJ last week. Trolling a mac.

Sent from my HTC6515LVW using Tapatalk

fishja · 09-03-2015, 12:01 AM

Bait was easy at pier this morning... We caught 13 bonito on mini macks... Biggest was about 10#'s. Good practice fights for the lady!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PapaDave · 09-03-2015, 07:42 AM

I found a school of the larger variety last Saturday. Got 5 in the 24 inch range trolling a small Rapala or Lucky Craft on light line about 100 yards outside of the kelp line. Closer in the bones were smaller.

Fomen · 09-03-2015, 12:09 PM

I've always found this to be a problem with pelagic species of fish that get too warm after they have been killed. You can bleed them out, but you have to keep them COLD to prevent this from happening. This is tough on a kayak because you don't want to haul around a cooler with ice in it. It makes the kayak top heavy, and it takes up too much space (which is already at a premium on the small deck of the kayak). Kill bags work GREAT for overcoming this issue. They are large enough to hold just about anything you will catch locally on a kayak, and they are insulated very well. If you toss in a couple of ice blocks (like a couple of frozen 2 liter water bottles) you will be set for HOURS! Just bleed out your fish for a couple of minutes, toss it inside the bag, and zip it shut. The bag will also contain any residual blood that comes out (which has apparently been an issue lately with shark sightings), so you're not slowly leaking out a blood trail behind you. If you have an access hatch on your kayak, you can roll it up with the fish inside, and store it inside of the kayak making room on the deck. This is what I use, and it ABSOLUTELY helps in preventing the mush from occurring. Just my $.02

swinginFish · 09-03-2015, 02:24 PM

For what it's worth, gotta say bonito meat, if kept cold, is the best sashimi I/my family's ever had (okay, so ya gotta cut out all the dark meat), and dare say we get our share of fresh and varietal fish for the purpose.

Have also found it good to put small fillets in vacuum packed backs (with salt, pepper) and freeze. When wanted, just defrost, then boil the meat in the still-sealed bag for about 10 mins. I/we use the cooked meat as the main ingredient for "tuna" salad and, again, it's unsurpassed in flavor and texture.

Avery

Fomen · 09-03-2015, 05:07 PM

I agree wholeheartedly! There are several fish that people consider to be "trash" that are under rated for their table fare. Bonito is one of them. Another is barracuda. You have to treat it just like the bonito. As soon as you catch it (if it's over 28" of course), bleed it. I typically go the murder scene route, and rip the gills. Then I'll make a cut down to the bone by the base of the tail. Fish have an artery that runs bow to stern, and near the base of the tail is where it's at it's most shallow. By bleeding from both ends, the job is quick and efficient. As soon as it's bled out, get it on ice (ASAP). For years I heard people tell me that barracuda was trash. Then one day I got into a mess of them- big LOGS! I was going to throw them back, and my buddy stopped me and told me to eat them. I told him, "I heard they are nasty", to which he replied, "Don't believe everything you hear. Don't knock it till you try it." I have to be honest, and some people on here might think I'm crazy- but I think it might be my favorite fish to eat. Barracuda fish tacos are AMAZING!!!!! It's moist, flaky, and delicious! If you're reading this, and you've never eaten a barracuda, the next time you catch a legal sized one, DO NOT throw it back. It has a bloodline just like tuna and YT. Bleed it, get it on ice, and cut out the dark meat when you fillet it. You will be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it is.

Harry Hill · 09-03-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fomen

I agree wholeheartedly! There are several fish that people consider to be "trash" that are under rated for their table fare. Bonito is one of them. Another is barracuda. You have to treat it just like the bonito. As soon as you catch it (if it's over 28" of course), bleed it. I typically go the murder scene route, and rip the gills. Then I'll make a cut down to the bone by the base of the tail. Fish have an artery that runs bow to stern, and near the base of the tail is where it's at it's most shallow. By bleeding from both ends, the job is quick and efficient. As soon as it's bled out, get it on ice (ASAP). For years I heard people tell me that barracuda was trash. Then one day I got into a mess of them- big LOGS! I was going to throw them back, and my buddy stopped me and told me to eat them. I told him, "I heard they are nasty", to which he replied, "Don't believe everything you hear. Don't knock it till you try it." I have to be honest, and some people on here might think I'm crazy- but I think it might be my favorite fish to eat. Barracuda fish tacos are AMAZING!!!!! It's moist, flaky, and delicious! If you're reading this, and you've never eaten a barracuda, the next time you catch a legal sized one, DO NOT throw it back. It has a bloodline just like tuna and YT. Bleed it, get it on ice, and cut out the dark meat when you fillet it. You will be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it is.

They used to tell us cuda was toxic certain times of the year so I just never at one. I never knew when they were supposed to be safe.

seaquinn · 09-04-2015, 07:11 AM

I won't say Barracuda is a favorite, as that goes to lingcod, halibut, and perhaps fresh bluefin, and corbina, but barries do make very good tacos. For years we took them home, and just like posted, bleed and ice. Also smothered in teriyaki, not bad on BBQ, but even my shoes could be good that way also!

Sometimes you gotta go "outside the box". My kids even like mackeral, but that is too far outside the box for me.

08-26-2015, 09:08 AM	#1
swinginFish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 173	Intel on LJ bonita Seeking Intel on LJ bonita. Last few go out the few I got were small and schooling with greenbacks. Pretty much target YT &/or WSB when fishing LJ, but love to bring in decent size bonita at end of trip (meat goes mushy if in hull too long). So, simply want to know if bigger units have found their way to the ends of LJ lines these last few days. Thanks, Avery

08-26-2015, 09:40 AM	#4
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Shot a 30" a few weeks back right outside the mlpa off the point. Right at the kelp line. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

08-26-2015, 11:44 AM	#6
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	LJ Bonita They're fun to catch, tuff to keep alive in a live well. But when I think of La Jolla Bonita, this is the one that comes to mind. Attached Images __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

09-03-2015, 07:42 AM	#9
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	I found a school of the larger variety last Saturday. Got 5 in the 24 inch range trolling a small Rapala or Lucky Craft on light line about 100 yards outside of the kelp line. Closer in the bones were smaller. Attached Images __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

09-03-2015, 12:09 PM	#10
Fomen Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 40	Mushy fish I've always found this to be a problem with pelagic species of fish that get too warm after they have been killed. You can bleed them out, but you have to keep them COLD to prevent this from happening. This is tough on a kayak because you don't want to haul around a cooler with ice in it. It makes the kayak top heavy, and it takes up too much space (which is already at a premium on the small deck of the kayak). Kill bags work GREAT for overcoming this issue. They are large enough to hold just about anything you will catch locally on a kayak, and they are insulated very well. If you toss in a couple of ice blocks (like a couple of frozen 2 liter water bottles) you will be set for HOURS! Just bleed out your fish for a couple of minutes, toss it inside the bag, and zip it shut. The bag will also contain any residual blood that comes out (which has apparently been an issue lately with shark sightings), so you're not slowly leaking out a blood trail behind you. If you have an access hatch on your kayak, you can roll it up with the fish inside, and store it inside of the kayak making room on the deck. This is what I use, and it ABSOLUTELY helps in preventing the mush from occurring. Just my $.02

08-26-2015, 09:17 AM	#2
Pocoloco Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: el cajon Posts: 239	Caught one on iron last week. Was around 24" and thought it was a YT. Lots of fun

08-26-2015, 09:36 AM	#3
fisher_4_life Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 129	I took my skiff out last Friday and caught 6 Bonita, two of which were huge. They were all caught slow trolling sardines. I realize this wasn't from a kayak but figured it might help to answer your question.

08-26-2015, 10:46 AM	#5
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	lots around the kelp right now avery

09-02-2015, 04:32 PM	#7
LSmoot Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 115	I got a 26" Bonito in LJ last week. Trolling a mac. Sent from my HTC6515LVW using Tapatalk

09-03-2015, 12:01 AM	#8
fishja Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 155	Bait was easy at pier this morning... We caught 13 bonito on mini macks... Biggest was about 10#'s. Good practice fights for the lady! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-03-2015, 02:24 PM	#11
swinginFish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 173	... another $.02 For what it's worth, gotta say bonito meat, if kept cold, is the best sashimi I/my family's ever had (okay, so ya gotta cut out all the dark meat), and dare say we get our share of fresh and varietal fish for the purpose. Have also found it good to put small fillets in vacuum packed backs (with salt, pepper) and freeze. When wanted, just defrost, then boil the meat in the still-sealed bag for about 10 mins. I/we use the cooked meat as the main ingredient for "tuna" salad and, again, it's unsurpassed in flavor and texture. Avery

09-03-2015, 05:07 PM	#12
Fomen Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 40	I agree wholeheartedly! There are several fish that people consider to be "trash" that are under rated for their table fare. Bonito is one of them. Another is barracuda. You have to treat it just like the bonito. As soon as you catch it (if it's over 28" of course), bleed it. I typically go the murder scene route, and rip the gills. Then I'll make a cut down to the bone by the base of the tail. Fish have an artery that runs bow to stern, and near the base of the tail is where it's at it's most shallow. By bleeding from both ends, the job is quick and efficient. As soon as it's bled out, get it on ice (ASAP). For years I heard people tell me that barracuda was trash. Then one day I got into a mess of them- big LOGS! I was going to throw them back, and my buddy stopped me and told me to eat them. I told him, "I heard they are nasty", to which he replied, "Don't believe everything you hear. Don't knock it till you try it." I have to be honest, and some people on here might think I'm crazy- but I think it might be my favorite fish to eat. Barracuda fish tacos are AMAZING!!!!! It's moist, flaky, and delicious! If you're reading this, and you've never eaten a barracuda, the next time you catch a legal sized one, DO NOT throw it back. It has a bloodline just like tuna and YT. Bleed it, get it on ice, and cut out the dark meat when you fillet it. You will be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it is.

09-04-2015, 07:11 AM	#14
seaquinn wishin' I was fishin' Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blossom Valley (near El Cajon) Posts: 148	I won't say Barracuda is a favorite, as that goes to lingcod, halibut, and perhaps fresh bluefin, and corbina, but barries do make very good tacos. For years we took them home, and just like posted, bleed and ice. Also smothered in teriyaki, not bad on BBQ, but even my shoes could be good that way also! Sometimes you gotta go "outside the box". My kids even like mackeral, but that is too far outside the box for me.