Fish ID question, and PSA about Saba (Pacific Mac) Sushi - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ProfessorLongArms · 08-28-2020, 12:43 PM

Hey All,

I was out fishing in the stretch of coast that shall not be named, and had a pretty wild experience....

In the 150+ column, I was getting bit on the flat fall almost every drop by these little guys. First time in 3 years. *looks* like a white seabass, though I've never caught one and heard they have stripes when juvenile.

Also, I caught a couple of salami sized greenbacks on the flatfall as well, and decided after seeing a recent Outdoor Chef Life to try prepping them for sushi.
Bled and spiked, right before putting on ice. Then a 1 hour salt cure + 30 min vinegar cure.
I couldn't get the pinbones out like he did, so I just opted to cut out the bloodline altogether. Waaay milder without it.

A lot healthier than most of the fish we pull up, and easily at the top for sustainability.
I must say it was *surprisingly* good. 10/10. My favorite was with a little yuzu ponzu and minced scallion.
Also served over shredded jicama for a "necessity is the mother of invention" play on spiralized daikon for a garnish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcLSN4B9ot/

ProfessorLongArms · 08-28-2020, 12:45 PM

damnit it dropped my photo for some reason for the Fish ID:

TheBentRod · 08-28-2020, 01:51 PM

As I thought. Looks definitely like a Pacific Tomcod

https://www.pierfishing.com/wp-conte...od-770x480.jpg

BenCantrell · 08-28-2020, 02:00 PM

White croaker is your mystery fish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_croaker

Harry Hill · 08-28-2020, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorLongArms

Hey All,

I was out fishing in the stretch of coast that shall not be named, and had a pretty wild experience....

In the 150+ column, I was getting bit on the flat fall almost every drop by these little guys. First time in 3 years. *looks* like a white seabass, though I've never caught one and heard they have stripes when juvenile.

Also, I caught a couple of salami sized greenbacks on the flatfall as well, and decided after seeing a recent Outdoor Chef Life to try prepping them for sushi.
Bled and spiked, right before putting on ice. Then a 1 hour salt cure + 30 min vinegar cure.
I couldn't get the pinbones out like he did, so I just opted to cut out the bloodline altogether. Waaay milder without it.

A lot healthier than most of the fish we pull up, and easily at the top for sustainability.
I must say it was *surprisingly* good. 10/10. My favorite was with a little yuzu ponzu and minced scallion.
Also served over shredded jicama for a "necessity is the mother of invention" play on spiralized daikon for a garnish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcLSN4B9ot/

I eat mackerel all of the time, you are right though. Kill and bleed then on ice. Cut out the blood line. I filet and pan fry and have never had a complaint and my wife is picky about which fish she eats.

FullFlavorPike · 08-28-2020, 08:59 PM

mackerel is got dang delicious.

tootall · 08-28-2020, 10:24 PM

White Croaker

GregB · 08-29-2020, 08:19 AM

Is this what me and my buddies used to catch off the pier in the way back long ago and call "ronkies"?

TheBentRod · 08-29-2020, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenCantrell

White croaker is your mystery fish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_croaker

Yep. White Croaker. Some call them one and the same, but the picture Ben found looks more like yours.

Roscoe · 08-29-2020, 05:19 PM

As a kid I called them sewer trout.

TJones · 08-30-2020, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roscoe

As a kid I called them sewer trout.

It was on list for not recommend to eat. How did the mackerel recipe work out?

JohnMckroidJr · 08-30-2020, 01:03 PM

White Croaker does have a nice fillet, but have been known to have high levels of toxins. They were on the do not eat list decades ago.

SoCalEDC · 08-31-2020, 08:26 AM

Now I know to keep my baits that get lazy. I got a monster saba yesterday, probably 14-15" long, maybe the biggest I have ever caught. Sounds like I cold have turned him into food instead dragging him around on a hook for and hour or 2.

Salty Paw · 08-31-2020, 10:49 AM

I also did some mackerel sushi recently based on the Outdoor Chef's Life video ... also after coming home empty handed I think my wife was beginning to think I had a girlfriend

Brought home 10 macks - the 6 largest went towards sashimi and nigiri and the 4 smallest baked in the oven with salt, lemon and olive oil

Harry Hill · 08-31-2020, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Paw

I also did some mackerel sushi recently based on the Outdoor Chef's Life video ... also after coming home empty handed I think my wife was beginning to think I had a girlfriend

Brought home 10 macks - the 6 largest went towards sashimi and nigiri and the 4 smallest baked in the oven with salt, lemon and olive oil

excellent, was your wife happy?

baileybikes · 08-31-2020, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

excellent, was your wife happy?

And more importantly - how did the girlfriend feel about you taking all the fish for your wife?

Salty Paw · 08-31-2020, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileybikes

And more importantly - how did the girlfriend feel about you taking all the fish for your wife?

Ha! I don't think I could handle a wife AND a girlfriend and still expect to have enough time to get out on the water. Maybe in retirement.

And yes, wife was happy with macs, although still skeptical that the benefit > investment

Harry Hill · 08-31-2020, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Paw

Ha! I don't think I could handle a wife AND a girlfriend and still expect to have enough time to get out on the water. Maybe in retirement.

And yes, wife was happy with macs, although still skeptical that the benefit > investment

go quail hunting, she will think all fish come cheap.

chris138 · 08-31-2020, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Now I know to keep my baits that get lazy. I got a monster saba yesterday, probably 14-15" long, maybe the biggest I have ever caught. Sounds like I cold have turned him into food instead dragging him around on a hook for and hour or 2.

Perfect WSB size bait....

ProfessorLongArms · 08-31-2020, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Paw

Ha! I don't think I could handle a wife AND a girlfriend and still expect to have enough time to get out on the water. Maybe in retirement.

And yes, wife was happy with macs, although still skeptical that the benefit > investment

That's an amazing looking spread, and I feel ya. I'm definitely guilty of pushing the needle too far when I'm not working on too many days on the water and having to make up for lost time at home

Agreed on the amount of work that goes in too. Definitely feels like one of those where it's less tedious if you have a good number to assembly line, but if it's just 3 or 4, it's a bit of work for a snack

08-28-2020, 12:43 PM	#1
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	Fish ID question, and PSA about Saba (Pacific Mac) Sushi Hey All, I was out fishing in the stretch of coast that shall not be named, and had a pretty wild experience.... In the 150+ column, I was getting bit on the flat fall almost every drop by these little guys. First time in 3 years. looks like a white seabass, though I've never caught one and heard they have stripes when juvenile. Also, I caught a couple of salami sized greenbacks on the flatfall as well, and decided after seeing a recent Outdoor Chef Life to try prepping them for sushi. Bled and spiked, right before putting on ice. Then a 1 hour salt cure + 30 min vinegar cure. I couldn't get the pinbones out like he did, so I just opted to cut out the bloodline altogether. Waaay milder without it. A lot healthier than most of the fish we pull up, and easily at the top for sustainability. I must say it was surprisingly good. 10/10. My favorite was with a little yuzu ponzu and minced scallion. Also served over shredded jicama for a "necessity is the mother of invention" play on spiralized daikon for a garnish. https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcLSN4B9ot/

08-28-2020, 12:45 PM	#2
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	damnit it dropped my photo for some reason for the Fish ID: Attached Images

08-28-2020, 01:51 PM	#3
TheBentRod Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Murrieta, CA and Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 425	Tomcod As I thought. Looks definitely like a Pacific Tomcod https://www.pierfishing.com/wp-conte...od-770x480.jpg

08-31-2020, 08:26 AM	#13
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	Now I know to keep my baits that get lazy. I got a monster saba yesterday, probably 14-15" long, maybe the biggest I have ever caught. Sounds like I cold have turned him into food instead dragging him around on a hook for and hour or 2. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

08-31-2020, 10:49 AM	#14
Salty Paw Junior Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: La Jolla Posts: 9	Saba Sushi I also did some mackerel sushi recently based on the Outdoor Chef's Life video ... also after coming home empty handed I think my wife was beginning to think I had a girlfriend Brought home 10 macks - the 6 largest went towards sashimi and nigiri and the 4 smallest baked in the oven with salt, lemon and olive oil Attached Images

08-28-2020, 02:00 PM	#4
BenCantrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Sebastian, Florida Posts: 238	White croaker is your mystery fish. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_croaker

08-28-2020, 08:59 PM	#6
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	mackerel is got dang delicious.

08-28-2020, 10:24 PM	#7
tootall Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 61	White Croaker

08-29-2020, 08:19 AM	#8
GregB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Santa Monica Bay Posts: 40	Is this what me and my buddies used to catch off the pier in the way back long ago and call "ronkies"?

08-29-2020, 05:19 PM	#10
Roscoe Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Camarillo Posts: 91	As a kid I called them sewer trout.

08-30-2020, 01:03 PM	#12
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	White Croaker does have a nice fillet, but have been known to have high levels of toxins. They were on the do not eat list decades ago.