Flying fish.....

charlie_the_tuna · #1 11-28-2020, 09:01 PM

So one of my favorite things about East coast fishing is the flying fish. Yup, flying fish. I can watch them for hours. I think they’re cooler than sh!t! So here’s my question. Are they as abundant on the west coast? I think I’m gonna end up on that side. The boss wants a house and if I’m gonna buy a house, it’s gotta be waterfront. So when I get out in the gulf and I’m about to set out a spread or anchor on a reef or drift chunks, will there be any flying fish, or is it just an east coast thing?!?

Giorgio · #2 11-29-2020, 08:03 AM

Charlie, are you talking about the same flying fish that are native to Barbados, Belize and Asia? I had a friend go to Belize and she brought me back a few, they weren't as big as I expected, but they were delicious.

charlie_the_tuna · #3 11-29-2020, 11:04 AM

They’re pretty much the same through the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Not sure if they’re a different variety in Asia. Yes, flying fish. I don’t plan on eating them, but I could watch them all day long.
Maybe in a life or death, survival situation, but with so many beautiful fish to eat, I’ll leave them to the predators.

charlie_the_tuna · #4 11-29-2020, 11:05 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk7McNUjWgw

phatdaddy · #5 11-29-2020, 12:47 PM

Got them up here in the northern gulf. See them when trolling for kings and checking weed lines for dolphin.

I hear shrimpers talk about finding them on the decks when anchored overnight, they get attracted to the lights and leap on the boat.

Like G said, supposed to be good eating, not sure how u catch them.

SkunkBoat · #6 11-29-2020, 08:37 PM

Usually see them in NJ past 20 fathom line in July/Aug/Sept. Only saw them once this year in Chicken Canyon. Probably same reason the mahi didn't make a big show this year.

Destroyer · #7 11-30-2020, 03:00 AM

They can go pretty high with a good wind. I remember many times when I was in the Navy on a Destroyer that we would find them on the deck in the morning when anchored. Also would see them while underway but I don't think I ever saw them land on the deck while underway. Really beautiful so see.

pjbrownva · #8 01-01-2021, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie_the_tuna

They***8217;re pretty much the same through the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Not sure if they***8217;re a different variety in Asia. Yes, flying fish. I don***8217;t plan on eating them, but I could watch them all day long.
Maybe in a life or death, survival situation, but with so many beautiful fish to eat, I***8217;ll leave them to the predators.

OMG! Flying fish is delicious. It's always on the menu in Barbados, and boy is it good! No need to "leave 'em to the predators", if you see a school, and can catch them in a cast net, give it a try. They are really good eating!

(P.S. I guess I'm a little late on my reply, but I just read this thread today.)
:-)

Destroyer · #9 01-01-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjbrownva

OMG! Flying fish is delicious. It's always on the menu in Barbados, and boy is it good! No need to "leave 'em to the predators", if you see a school, and can catch them in a cast net, give it a try. They are really good eating!

(P.S. I guess I'm a little late on my reply, but I just read this thread today.)
:-)

LOL I've seen replies here on posts years later, so no need to apologize. :)

pjbrownva · #10 01-03-2021, 08:23 AM

Good to hear!

I watched that flying fish video linked to a few posts above this post.

Wow! Those little fish had it rough! ... but, more importantly, after watching that video I definitely have no clue how you would catch them. I doubt a cast net work work.

Maybe a 12 guage with birdshot would do better. (hehe!)