Where Are All the Sea Ravens?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Hope I didn't just jynx us but where are all the Sea Robins (AKA Winged Philly Chicken Fish) ? I have not caught one yet this year. They are usually all over the place and now it seems just Dogfish and an occational Skate bothering us.

Any opinions??

[PAMonger]

I saw 3 small ones come up on a charter last week on the Monger. Maybe jmurr ate all the breeders. :confused:

[torchee]

Saw a few in tight from kayak and shore - but not many....

I'm not complaining

[Bucktailboys.com]

Now that you say it, I just realized I have not caught one or seen one all year. Love filleting them for bait.

[bulletbob]

Most likely a down cycle year .. It happens to every inshore salt water game species at some point.. Why not "trash" fish as well??... Actually, sea robins are a good eating fish, better than many ""game"" species... I would take them over blues any day, and probably even over porgies...
I can still see pictures in my head of idiots smashing them on jetty rocks, or tossing them high up on the beach to die slowly in the sun...
they put up a spirited battle, bite aggressively, and are quite good eating.. However they are ugly and have wings so we demonize them.. it really doesn't make any sense... bob

[snapperbluefish101]

Gerry, the Saturday after the Fluke Season opener I caught 15 big ones at the tip of Shark River Inlet. Every cast they were on my Nuke Chicken Gulp. Their behavior is far from the behavior of Fluke obviously! They for the most part are a school fish when on Sandy Structure and or with tidal current nearby or there. They seem solitary when around jetties and on rock and reef structure. I caught some at Sandy Hook Reef and at the Red Church but only 1-4 would be caught for 24-34 anglers. (was on a party boat, the OE and the Gambler more specifically).

Might shed some light. Just my observations....)

[jmurr711]

people selfishly slaughtered them for bait & no one cared cause they don't got stripes & now they are all gone & i am sad

[Reelman73088]

I had a few days fishing SRI where you could catch all you wanted back in early June but you're right it's been weeks since I've caught one or seen one caught by other fisherman from the jetty. When they were in they were the jumbo ones too I caught one close to 3 pounds. They're great eating I would just laugh while people looked at me like I had three heads for throwing them in the cooler to keep. I can't tell ya how many people would see me keep one and say you really eat those?? In my experience sometimes the ugliest fish taste the best.

[Capt. Debbie]

I noticed and am not complaining for one second either

[vinntastic]

I notice where there is BIRDS, there are fluke. Just my thought of figure:rolleyes:

[bunker dunker]

Who cares!!!

[wyldbillnj]

Id rather catch these funky fish over the dang doggies.!

[jmurr711]

Who cares!!!

:( :mad: :eek:

[kurtisb]

Only a few on the Mimi today, but there were only a few fluke too. Maybe Vinny is right.

[reason162]

Who cares!!!

I do.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/2013-07-30113751_zps268c42f4.jpg

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/2013-08-08114812_zps02791d17.jpg

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/2013-07-30120805_zps7cdb5633.jpg

[Bass_Appeal]

Caught one sunday !

[Topeka Boy]

i MUCH RATHER CATCH SEA ROBBINS THAN POUT AKA CONGER EELS. :eek:THEY ARE A TERROR. AND THEY ARE ALL OVER

[Reelman73088]

Hey Reason,
Do you have a recipe to go with that pic? Those look delicious!

[reason162]

Hey Reason,
Do you have a recipe to go with that pic? Those look delicious!

No recipe, just pull the head off along with the skin/guts as you do puffers. First you cut off the dorsal fins, break the spine, do not cut into the gills if you're bleeding...flip fish over, knife edge firmly on spine, head in hand (use towel), and pull. Youtube has a few videos.

Anyway, make a paste of olive oil and paprika and curry powder, lots of salt/pepper, rub in let marinate 20 minutes at room temp and throw on the grill. Definitely a fish best cooked on the bone.

Also, the (cleaned) head/rack of searobins make the cleanest fish stock around.

Makes excellent civeche too. This was half fluke half sea robins:

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/2012-07-04215407_zpsf72c28f8.jpg

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/2012-07-04215349_zps85cdcad9.jpg

[Reelman73088]

Thanks I'll definitely have to give that try. I never thought to clean them that way but it will definitely waste less meat.That's some beautiful work on the ceviche too! I've always wanted to ceviche a good piece of fish but everyone in my house but me thinks raw fish is yucky so one of these days I'll just have to make it for myself lol.

[Peterooster]

I found them today 7-14 at #1 Can at Point of Hook, all you want, but no Fluke.Pete

[briansnat]

My buddy caught the biggest one he or I ever saw yesterday off Sandy Hook. He kept it for the table.

He said he read an article about "junk fish" that actually tasted good and sea robin was one of them. Because of the article he ate one he had caught and has been a fan ever since.

I was surprised we only pulled up one all day. Years ago probably 1/4 of the fish we pulled in would be sea robins.

[tuna john]

plenty of them south in cape may area, we catch 5-6 a day at least

[bunker dunker]

reason162 that looks real good but after dealing with them when I worked the
deck, you can have all mine.jmurr I didn't mean to offend you by dissing one of your main stays{lol}.to those that want them God bless but as far as I'm
concerned they can stay were they are.

[reason162]

reason162 that looks real good but after dealing with them when I worked the
deck, you can have all mine.jmurr I didn't mean to offend you by dissing one of your main stays{lol}.to those that want them God bless but as far as I'm
concerned they can stay were they are.

Too bad we're not in France...$8/lb whole fish.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/reason162/gurnard_zps121f3f3a.jpg

[Gerry Zagorski]

"One man's junk is another man's treasure"

J Murr ;)

[jmurr711]

Ain't my fault I am bougie!!!!!!! haters :)

[hammer4reel]

Reason those dished look GOOD !!!!!