Monkfish???

[BanannaMan]

I have heard that monkfish are extremely great to eat, even though they are ugly as sin. Does anyone here fish for them and if so what should I look for in terms of habitat, water depths and what kinds of bait work well? Thanks

[Tuna Devil]

Originally Posted by BanannaMan

I have heard that monkfish are extremely great to eat, even though they are ugly as sin. Does anyone here fish for them and if so what should I look for in terms of habitat, water depths and what kinds of bait work well? Thanks

They taste awesome (known as poor mans Lobster. Real lobster, not spinies. )

I have never fished for them down here, I am interested to hear some responses. I have caught them dragging and gillnetting. Only once have i caught one on rod and reel.

[DORADOsteve]

Not really a big seller in fish markets because of their nasty looks, but they are probably one of the best eating fish out there.

They are also tough to clean as well.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Originally Posted by Tuna Devil

They taste awesome (known as poor mans Lobster. Real lobster, not spinies. )

I have never fished for them down here, I am interested to hear some responses. I have caught them dragging and gillnetting. Only once have i caught one on rod and reel.

You taking a shot at our Lobsters.........Friggin Yankee Carpetbaggers

[Tuna Devil]

I would never do something like that Butch.

If you guys catch them, I will tell you how to clean them.

[Uncle Buck]

I think they are mostly in the northern Atlantic. Not common to catch in Southern US waters, so targeting them is a waste of time down here. You're better off fishing for rosies, tilefish, misty & snowy grouper, and barrelfish.

[miamiangler1]

U B ,, you forgot sword fish !

[Boboe]

Monkfish = anglerfish. To catch one, you'd have to have your live bait swim right in front of his face, which will be right down on the bottom. You know, he's got that little fishing pole and lure and he makes fish swim within inches of his maw before gulping them down.

The only similar fish I've ever caught in the Gulf was an Ocellated Frogfish. He was about 13" long, looked like a pile of weeds and rocks, had feet, and a short little fishing pole on his forehead with an onion-shaped lure on it. He ate a ruby lips (tomtate) in about 240' off of Destin, FL. Tried to release him, but he was blown up pretty badly and wouldn't swim. Brought it back to the dock and showed off the freakshow of a fish.

[BanannaMan]

One of my buddies who was on hand for the catch of the barrelfish, told me about his best friend who is also into deep droppin. He told me that he goes out alone and catches these monk fish. He said that his spot is kept very secret and if there is even a boat miles away on the horizon he will not fish it. I have seen a photo of his catch, 4 nice sized fish and I must agree that they are very ugly. He goes out of port everglades to find them. My buddy has been tryin for years to even "tag-along" on one of his trips but he refuses to take anyone, not even family... heh

My buddy has gotten pieces and clues over the years and we have a basic idea what direction to head from port, what to look for on the bottom and a depth range. We thought we may go out and have a lash at it. I'm just trying to get more info to confirm what we know now. It will help me to determine if we are on track or if my time would be better spent on rosies and barrelfish.

As of now it looks like our time would be better spent on rosies and barrels

[DaveB]

[Boboe]

They had a sweet Iron Chef episode with Monkfish as the secret ingredient. They had these huge ass anglers (4' prolly) hung from hooks and were cleaning as they hung, rather than on a table. Those japanese fellahs made some crazy stuff out of it.

[Uncle Buck]

I saw that episode.

BananaMan... I had no idea those could be caught around here. Barrelfish are relatively elusive too, but I have yet to haul up a monk. Maybe your buddy is so secretive because he doesn't actually catch 'em... he buy's 'em from the fish market.

[Disco Lady]

Dam! thats one ugly F#@#king fish COÑO!!!!!!!!!!!

[kapoc]

Originally Posted by DORADOsteve

Not really a big seller in fish markets because of their nasty looks, but they are probably one of the best eating fish out there.

They are also tough to clean as well.

Not really they clean up just like a catfish but a little easier then their are 2 nice loins on its back. Just make sure the damn thing is dead our you get an awsome supprise when it tries to jump at your hand

Mike

[miamiangler1]

monk fish secret stop your buddy`s friend might have a great spot to catch them but if you don`t have a GPS it would be imposable to find it .. you might get close but sometimes you have to be right on target ... even if you are off by 50ft in depth you may never get one ... fish at that depth are temp senistve... so what I do to find fish is start at one depth say 800ft if nothing then move to 820 and so on till I get a hit .... if you know the depth he catchs monks at your half way there

[BanannaMan]

Buck,

I would believe he bought them if I even saw them for sale in a local market, let alone the several photos I saw of the back of his boat loaded with no less than 4 of them, ranging from 2' to 3.5'. As for the depth, we have that much. Course thats given he is even telling the truth about that. Every year my buddy and his brothers, all fish-a-holics, have a monster fishfry-bash. They invite him over and he inevitably gets trashed. Of course, fishing eventually becomes a topic and the quizing about his "spot" begins. heh
Over the last 3 years all they have gotten is basic depth, rough direction and bottom topography. So with that much a known quantity, we were thinkin of checkin it out. It sounds like we would be looking for a needle in a haystack. With gas prices being what they are I think I would be better off trying for another barrelfish. I would probably have better luck.

[BanannaMan]

If we do decide to try "looking" one day I will be sure to post the results of our follies.

[Uncle Buck]

hahaha I was just kidding about the fish market comment. But I'd certainly like to ride along on that expedition Monk trip. Keep me in-mind when that day happens.

[BanannaMan]

Buck,

Sounds good. Would love to have ya join us. I am slated to come back down in that neck of the woods in... not this weekend, but next. Guess that would be... 15th/16th.. I believe. Drop me some intel on how to contact ya and will gladly have ya aboard. At the very least we will definately kill sumthin if not a beer or two.

[miamiangler1]

can I tag a long ?