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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 11:28:44 GMT -5
Got there at sunrise. Started at the end. All blue runners till about 9:00. And Macs decided to get breakfast. All big this time. Around 18”. And surprise Bonita. One broke off while being lifted. I couldn’t get me net quick enough. Then behind the bait house I hooked up. Either Bonita or kingfish. It ran left and right pretty hard. Yield for someone to grab my net, but as I turned around, felt slack and was too late reel in like crazy. And lost it. Caught few more next to the 2nd bathroom. All on spoons. When then bite stopped a guy near by started using green straw on a float. And he killed it.
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Post by tristan on Oct 10, 2019 11:58:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the report, phishead!
The dude with the straw lure, how was he working it?
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 12:13:33 GMT -5
I wasn’t paying too much attention. Stupid me.
He was using green rubber hose. He gave me two pieces. He used a decent sized treble and large float with about 1 or 2 oz lead. He cast out far. Then reeled in fairly slowly for about 5-10’. The float created a little splash and rubber hose came to the top. Then he would stop to let the hose/straw flouter down. It seems like the hits came when he stopped rather then when he reeled. However, I was too stupid to come over and see exactly what he was doing. When I finally did he was limited out but couldn’t be friendlier. However our language differences would not allow him to explain the details I was asking such as when do you get the hits. Either way. When the hits on spoons stopped for the both of us, he couldn’t keep the Macs of the rubber.
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Post by tears143 on Oct 10, 2019 12:14:46 GMT -5
Got there at sunrise. Started at the end. All blue runners till about 9:00. And Macs decided to get breakfast. All big this time. Around 18”. And surprise Bonita. One broke off while being lifted. I couldn’t get me net quick enough. Then behind the bait house I hooked up. Either Bonita or kingfish. It ran left and right pretty hard. Yield for someone to grab my net, but as I turned around, felt slack and was too late reel in like crazy. And lost it. Caught few more next to the 2nd bathroom. All on spoons. When then bite stopped a guy near by started using green straw on a float. And he killed it. hopefully they will still be around when I come out Saturday. |
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 12:16:43 GMT -5
Btw. There were two other guys freelining small bait. And only caught one between both of them. Today it was metal and rubber. Fresh just didn’t get their attention
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Post by tears143 on Oct 10, 2019 12:16:45 GMT -5
I wasn’t paying too much attention. Stupid me. He was using green rubber hose. He gave me two pieces. He used a decent sized treble and large float with about 1 or 2 oz lead. He cast out far. Then reeled in fairly slowly for about 5-10’. The float created a little splash and rubber hose came to the top. Then he would stop to let the hose/straw flouter down. It seems like the hits came when he stopped rather then when he reeled. However, I was too stupid to come over and see exactly what he was doing. When I finally did he was limited out but couldn’t be friendlier. However our language differences would not allow him to explain the details I was asking such as when do you get the hits. Either way. When the hits on spoons stopped for the both of us, he couldn’t keep the Macs of the rubber. Most of the hit are usually when spoon or straw is stop for a bit then just flutter there. |
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Post by tears143 on Oct 10, 2019 12:17:33 GMT -5
Btw. There were two other guys freelining small bait. And only caught one between both of them. Today it was metal and rubber. Fresh just didn’t get their attention I will pack spoon and straws  and some other secret weapon called crappie jigs. :-p |
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Post by tristan on Oct 10, 2019 12:28:11 GMT -5
+1 on the crappie jigs - I had a couple guys come up beside me one day and reel in mack after mack on the white crappie jigs. Couldn't tell if it was 1/16th or 1/8th oz... they had two tied on a spec rig.
phishead, trying to figure out the rig you saw. Did the bobber have the weight integrated, or was it tied in line with a leader for the lure?
Thanks.
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Post by tears143 on Oct 10, 2019 12:40:09 GMT -5
+1 on the crappie jigs - I had a couple guys come up beside me one day and reel in mack after mack on the white crappie jigs. Couldn't tell if it was 1/16th or 1/8th oz... they had two tied on a spec rig. phishead, trying to figure out the rig you saw. Did the bobber have the weight integrated, or was it tied in line with a leader for the lure? Thanks. From his posting.. it sounds like the lead is inline with the bobber but is struck there... right next to it. hook w/straw/tube ----------------------------------weight then float -------------------------------------------fishing rod or hook w/straw/tube-----------------------------------float then weight-------------------------------------------fishing rod . <---- this makes more splash. or this --> fishingdestinguide.com/BUBBLERIGS.htmlJust fill bubbler with some water(usually half) and work it. |
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Post by tristan on Oct 10, 2019 12:59:39 GMT -5
That's what I guessed, Tears, but I like to keep an open mind.  |
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 13:04:20 GMT -5
Foam float.
It was either.
Leader. Swivel. Bead. Egg. Bead. Swivel. Float on main line.
Or.
Leader. Swivel. Bead. Egg. Bead. Float on main line.
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SSP 10/10
Oct 10, 2019 14:37:22 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by skywayfisherman on Oct 10, 2019 14:37:22 GMT -5
Were the Bonita thick out there and how big was the one you got
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SSP 10/10
Oct 10, 2019 15:15:08 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 15:15:08 GMT -5
My never made it out of water. But it pulled like a good size kingfish. Maybe it was. The I saw half way up the pier looked thick. Like a small bulky tuna. If I had to guess, 30”
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Post by tristan on Oct 10, 2019 16:32:31 GMT -5
30" bonitas? I think I need a pier net...
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Post by Mackerelman on Oct 10, 2019 18:53:27 GMT -5
My never made it out of water. But it pulled like a good size kingfish. Maybe it was. The I saw half way up the pier looked thick. Like a small bulky tuna. If I had to guess, 30” Bonito has a Fin that pops out of the Top of their body that keeps them deep into the water. They pull like a Red Grouper. If You hooked into a 30" Bonito then You had a nice fight. I caught a 30" Bonito out at the Fort Desoto Gulf Pier about 15 Years ago & many anglers had to pull up their lines in fear of losing them. Everyone out there thought that I had a Large Shark. It was a Fantastic Fight ! |
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 20:43:49 GMT -5
My never made it out of water. But it pulled like a good size kingfish. Maybe it was. The I saw half way up the pier looked thick. Like a small bulky tuna. If I had to guess, 30” Bonito has a Fin that pops out of the Top of their body that keeps them deep into the water. They pull like a Red Grouper. If You hooked into a 30" Bonito then You had a nice fight. I caught a 30" Bonito out at the Fort Desoto Gulf Pier about 15 Years ago & many anglers had to pull up their lines in fear of losing them. Everyone out there thought that I had a Large Shark. It was a Fantastic Fight ! Mine lasted only about 2 minutes. The damn dolphins are in the back of my mind so didn’t focus on the task at hand. |
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 20:45:43 GMT -5
This pulled a bid differently then my grouper experience which is very limited. Grouper was more a tug of war this thing was like a rocket left then right.
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Post by tears143 on Oct 10, 2019 22:10:08 GMT -5
This pulled a bid differently then my grouper experience which is very limited. Grouper was more a tug of war this thing was like a rocket left then right. They pull and run like crazy! The key is get their head out of the water and then they lose. |
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Post by phishead on Oct 10, 2019 22:51:02 GMT -5
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Post by willdawson84 on Oct 10, 2019 23:44:45 GMT -5
Lol thats funny true a little odd but hey shes not grossed out by fish slime or blood an smell an shes curious about eyes an internals so she still got a shot at being a doctor! And when time comes disecting the frog will be a breeze! Lmao
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SSP 10/10
Oct 11, 2019 5:29:26 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by seabird on Oct 11, 2019 5:29:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the report, phishead! The dude with the straw lure, how was he working it? Very good report with the larger fish action! |
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Post by pierlyfe on Oct 11, 2019 10:47:52 GMT -5
This pulled a bid differently then my grouper experience which is very limited. Grouper was more a tug of war this thing was like a rocket left then right. They pull and run like crazy! The key is get their head out of the water and then they lose. You’re right! my last bonita went crazy left & right towards piling for about 5min fighting and trying control it once i got him close to the pier, only way it stopped going nuts was when i lifted it’s head half way out of the water, it’s suddenly gave up no movements that’s when i hand lined that summa b**ch up quick ! |
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Post by seabird on Oct 11, 2019 11:48:27 GMT -5
Lots of talk about Bonita. Are they good to eat? Heard mixed reviews.
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Post by SkyJay on Oct 11, 2019 11:54:05 GMT -5
N O P E
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Post by pierlyfe on Oct 11, 2019 12:08:26 GMT -5
bonita’s are good, it’s all on how you prepare them for table fare, in the asian community we have all types of recipes for each and every fish mostly, some may call it “trash fish” “shark bait” etc but it’s dinner for others . “Don’t knock if ya don’t try”.
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Post by tears143 on Oct 11, 2019 12:13:15 GMT -5
Unless you're Asian! Just kidding.. cooking it normally I do not like it as it has a strong fishy smell. However making it into sushi like tuna dishes are good! |
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Post by phishead on Oct 11, 2019 12:32:13 GMT -5
Number one on my bucket list. Travel as much of Asia as possible and eat street food as much as possible. Bats, forest rodents (yes wild rats, why not, I like rabbit), fish I never seen before, snake wine, etc..... Or better yet eat and don't ask what's in it.
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SSP 10/10
Oct 11, 2019 13:43:20 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by shadowxmas on Oct 11, 2019 13:43:20 GMT -5
Lots of talk about Bonita. Are they good to eat? Heard mixed reviews. when I worked in the bait shop @ Hubbard's we would grind them up an feed them to the pinfish. |
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Post by Mackerelman on Oct 11, 2019 14:06:22 GMT -5
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Post by SkyJay on Oct 11, 2019 15:29:30 GMT -5
 Seems like this topic comes up every time these guys are in town. Actually the fish we encounter at the piers aren't "Bonito". You'd have about as much chance catching a Blackfin Tuna ( which legend has it, has happened once or twice at the North Pier) at the Piers as you would a true Atlantic Bonito. The species caught here in the Gulf on the West Coast we lovingly call "Bonita" or "Bonito", is actually a diferent species all together. The species that invades our waters every Spring and Fall is actually a False Albacore and tastes like Ka-Ka. The Atlantic Bonito on the other hand is great for Dockside Sushi or Sashimi. And grills up nicely, simular to Blackfin. Having said all that, I find it comical, as well as a bit ironic this is the same group that recently banished King Mackeral, to the bait freezer (which in my opinion is one of the best eating fish on the Planet until its overcooked or prepared by a dumb dumb who doesnt know what he's doing 🤔) we catch these pests year around off shore and nothing can mess up a good Snapper bite like a school of Boneheads. Great bait though literally everything in the ocean eats them. |
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and some other secret weapon called crappie jigs. :-p
