Tuna gets all the glamor but is anyone chasing striper?

[MAArcher]

It sounds like big striper are up and down the New England coast right now. Anyone catching anything? I took some time off, six days over the past two weeks, and fished like I've never fished before, mostly at night drifting eels across salt flats. Fished for 12 hours straight one day, drifting the flats all night then fishing over pogy schools at sun up. I'm still a striper rooky but I managed to get nine fish over 35" (44" being the biggest) totaling 175lbs, lost several battles including two double hook-ups that resulted in a demoralizing loss of four fish and a mess of tangled gear. Numerous slot fish that were released. I also caught several slot fish on non-commercial days that were turned into sashimi, Panko crusted pan fried fish sticks and fish kabobs.

I have this coming Tuesday and Wednesday off as my last two commercial fishing days, after that my work schedule is looking pretty unpleasant so not sure when I'll be able to get out again during the week after that. The tides are lining up nice for those two days though to get some more time fishing over pogies on the ocean front, which is a nice change from the monotony of drifting the flats at night which is a combat situation with the water covered in a fleet of boats ranging from 6' kayaks to 28' center consoles, everyone jockeying for position and trying not to kill those who refuse to have their nav lights on.

Some pics from the last couple weeks. I apologize for my cousin who always has a look on his face like he's coming up behind you in a prison shower.

 

[Scooby]

Nice fish! And yes he does have that look!

 

[Codcruncher]

Your cousin bears a strong resemblance to @leaky

 

[Kiteboy]

Bass fishing has been lights out all around the south shore.

 

[AW_Holland32]

how did that sashimi eat?

 

[MAArcher]

Your cousin bears a strong resemblance to @leaky

They are both great guys but I wouldn't want to spend time in a prison shower with either of them.

 

[MAArcher]

Bass fishing has been lights out all around the south shore.

Have you been getting out?

 

[MAArcher]

how did that sashimi eat?

Its all good but I'm finding that there can be a difference in taste/texture between fish. I think my favorite has been a slot sized fish that was bled, and iced right away then aged for three days in the meet draw of the fridge (around 38 degrees). I was told that its a good idea to freeze them first but I think that's only worth doing if you have a flash freezer. I froze some and tried it as sashimi once thawed out, and it was still good but lost something, maybe a little "mushy" texture. Definitely have to slice bass thinner than some other fish. But so far everyone I've served it too has been surprised how good it is.

 

[Kiteboy]

Have you been getting out?

Yes a lot.

Had a 40” bass way the Downrod yesterday.

 

[Tautog]

cut it thinner.. striped bass sashimi is meant to be very thin.. very good with ponzu sauce instead of soy

 

[MAArcher]

cut it thinner.. striped bass sashimi is meant to be very thin.. very good with ponzu sauce instead of soy

My son loves the Yuzu-it ponzu sauce. I still like real wasabi (not horseradish) and soy.

I saw a youtube video where the guy cut it paper thin and and made flowers out of them. Great presentation. I tried to do it that way but it ended up looking like a pitiful bouquet an angry woman stomped on after she found out her boyfriend cheated on her. Making sushi pretty really is an artform.

 

[Codcruncher]

My son loves the Yuzu-it ponzu sauce. I still like real wasabi (not horseradish) and soy.

I saw a youtube video where the guy cut it paper thin and and made flowers out of them. Great presentation. I tried to do it that way but it ended up looking like a pitiful bouquet an angry woman stomped on after she found out her boyfriend cheated on her. Making sushi pretty really is an artform.

Yes it is.....

 

[MAArcher]

Yes it is.....

View attachment 137669

My local Market Basket has surprisingly good sushi. But not that good.

 

[Rockfish9]

It's been "stupid fishing " for 2 months now.. unfortunately, those participating are even stupider..lucky for me, I've got plenty of places away from "hong Kong city "..I guess the price of gas hasn't effected the amount of people fishing..

 

[Rockfish9]

Striped bass is one of the few fish I dont freeze, it gets strong and just looses texture, I bleed and gut them immediately..pack them on ice, they are excellent..baked, salt, pepper garlic powder, lemon slices over buttered
Crumbled Ritz crackers, left over make awesome fish cakes..

 

[Codcruncher]

Striped bass is one of the few fish I dont freeze, it gets strong and just looses texture, I bleed and gut them immediately..pack them on ice, they are excellent..baked, salt, pepper garlic powder, lemon slices over buttered
Crumbled Ritz crackers, left over make awesome fish cakes..

Hake is another one that doesn't freeze well

 

[goin4broke]

One of the ways I like SB is what I call poor man’s lobster. Poach fresh bass, drain it and add melted butter and lemon juice to taste. Trust me try it.

 

[MAArcher]

One of the ways I like SB is what I call poor man’s lobster. Poach fresh bass, drain it and add melted butter and lemon juice to taste. Trust me try it.

How do you poach it? In plain water?

 

[goin4broke]

Yes plain tap water, get it to boil in a pot first then, I use a sieve with the fish in it and drop it in (like if you were deep frying). I haven't done it in a while so I don't remember exactly how long it takes but when it's flaky obviously shes done.

 

[Rockfish9]

When I poach fish, I use sodium free chicken broth, dice celery, carrots. Onion and garlic and add pepper corns and steep/ simmer for an hour before poaching the fish..retain that poaching liquid for a stock for a chowder.