catching sucked

[kodiakcombo]

Fishing was good but catching that world record king didnt happen this week. We didnt even land a 50plus pounder! It was so slow we resorted to jigging rockfishes. The clients were very understanding, the boat and crew worked fine the big kings were just not in this week.

[chico99645]

You can't control the fish but you appear to to an awesome job of making sure your clients get the best you can provide. If I was in your neck of the woods, I would not hesitate to book your services. That is a nice king that little hottie is holding there!

[Old John]

Fishing was good but catching that world record king didnt happen this week. We didnt even land a 50plus pounder! It was so slow we resorted to jigging rockfishes. The clients were very understanding, the boat and crew worked fine the big kings were just not in this week.

When I get back over to the Kodiak area, I'd really like to go bass fishing with you... Most people don't know it, and I probably shouldn't talk about it here, but these bass properly cooked are better than halibut...!!!

[kodiakcombo]

I know several rock piles that hold large blk rock. They are better than halibut, not as good as Pcod.

[kodiak_hunter]

Agree on the rockfish - much better than halibut. But I have never kept a p-cod; I have caught tons and for whatever reason have traditionally just thrown them back. Does not appear to be any limits on them either. Okay, need an honest answer - how are the pcod for eating; are they worth keeping?

[power drifter]

I kept 2 nice Pcod last weekend out from Homer. I cooked some along with halibut, and we hands down like it better than halibut. Melt in your mouth with really good texture and just better flavor than halibut. They do make great bait as you almost need to drill a hole in the skin to hook them up and they stay on, but I'm going to keep them for sure to eat.

[kodiakrain]

Okay, need an honest answer - how are the pcod for eating; are they worth keeping?

YES, without a doubt,

and as Honest as can be, "You've missed out, if you've never kept a Pacific Cod for dinner yet."

[kodiak_hunter]

Well, good to know. As the saying goes, better late than never. Looks like I'll be eating p-cod next weekend, weather permitting. Many thanks!!

[Sierra Hotel]

9 times out of 10, if you order "fish & chips" anywhere other than Seattle or Anchorage, you're getting Pacific Cod. Great eating, and no limit . . .for now. Caught some "monstah's" out of Homer last week - was glad to put them in the fishbox. One word of caution - they're STINKY! Even the fillets must be frozen fairly quickly, as they will smell up the cooler or refrig worse than a chili-fajita fart!

[ajfjeff]

How do the black rock and pcod freeze? is it worth freezing them or do they get funky?

[Paul H]

Rockfish aren't a good candidate for long term storage in the freezer. It's good a few months max. I've tried smoking and canning rock fish, but it comes out really tough and chewey. I haven't had p-cod frozen long enough to know how well it holds up.

P-cod will have worms, filleting so you leave the belley on the carcus gets rid of most of them, but don't be suprised if you find some on the meat near the belly. And no, they don't instantly migrate from the stomach to the meat. They are fairly easy to remove with the tip of your fillet knife.

[kodiakrain]

I know this much, probably 98% of P Cod that go to market from AK comm fisheries are frozen, most are frozen at sea, and marketed to those Fish& Chips markets already mentioned, so as long as they are bled quickly after catching, then preferrably chilled on board, then frozen at home, they'll make Excellent filets at the kitchen table later. FREEZE AWAY, they'll keep well in your freezer.
Black Rockfish don't freeze so well. Should be fileted and cooked up fresh, if possible

[Cohoangler]

I agree that both rockfish and cod are better on-the-plate than halibut. However, halibut is still #1 with me for several reasons:

Size. A huge rockfish might go 20lbs. Most folks will toss a 20lb halibut back. So, there ain't much meat on the average rockfish, compared to halibut.

Perservation. Halibut freeze really well. Cod are okay. Rockfish and lingcod do not freeze well at all. They get mushy.

Age and growth. Those 20lb rockfish are older than the people who caught them. Halibut are some of the fastest growing fish on the planet. But harvesting a large rockfish is like cutting down a 400-year old Douglas fir. I realize that C&R of rockfish is not an option (swim bladder rupture), and they are usually caught while fishing for halibut. But still, it bothers me to bonk an animal that's been on this earth longer than I have.

[jrogers]

Not Kodiak sized, but at least I have some fresh king as well.

[kodiakcombo]

Not Kodiak sized, but at least I have some fresh king as well.

Hey! thats the king I was looking for! man it has been slow these last 2!!!! weeks. Think next year we will book nothing but cod and rockfish trips with a king bonus! starting June 9th-16th 2012, thats a nice king!