Sea Robin- Apex Pedator???

[wrktoomuch]

If you find this stupid, then keep your thoughts to yourself, but is there anything that eats Sea Robins? They are armored like a Porcupine and eat everything, including pieces of themselves. I have caught tiny ones and sent them back down thinking a big Fluke would grab one, but never. I think they are like Cormorants, they have voracious appetites and just keep multiplying without any predation. I think they make excellent bait for many species and keep alot for that reason, but no one I know, including myself, like eating them. There is an epidemic of them, and unless I'm wrong, maybe we anglers should be trying to reduce the population.

[tjd24]

Lots of people eat sea robins. There have been featured articles in magazines recently about sea robin cleaning & cooking.
I've found small ones in the bellies of striped bass.

[Ismellfishy]

Hell I give away most of the fluke I catch, but I keep all the birds!! Beer battered and deep fried they make great fish nuggets.

[bowhunter]

I caught a 30lb striper that had a full grown robin in it's belly.

[tombanjo]

Stupid or not, if logic follows it won't be long before they're on the protected list like the dogfish were. Or are they still?

[HDMarc]

Originally Posted by Ismellfishy

Hell I give away most of the fluke I catch, but I keep all the birds!! Beer battered and deep fried they make great fish nuggets.

Yep, I can vauch for Drew, he threw a nice fluke in my cooler on the OE and kept the birds for himself

[Reel Class]

There was a guy who fished the OLD casino pier in seaside heights in the 80's that loved them. I used to fish there a lot with my dad especially at night catching bluefish and this guy would take all the birds and eat them. One night he convinced us to take a few home and try them --- ....They tasted like crap

About 10 years later, my buddy convinced me to try them after we caught a load while fluking. Brought a few home, filleted them ---- They still tasted like crap

Sorry boys... Maybe I'm missing something, but my two experiences were enough for me unless convinced otherwise!

[Capt Joe]

Sounds like Capt needs to hone culinary skills Robins and Ravens good stuff!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Reel Class

There was a guy who fished the OLD casino pier in seaside heights in the 80's that loved them. I used to fish there a lot with my dad especially at night catching bluefish and this guy would take all the birds and eat them. One night he convinced us to take a few home and try them --- ....They tasted like crap

About 10 years later, my buddy convinced me to try them after we caught a load while fluking. Brought a few home, filleted them ---- They still tasted like crap

Sorry boys... Maybe I'm missing something, but my two experiences were enough for me unless convinced otherwise!

I started eating them a long time ago, and liked them.. Better than Porgies, but not as good as Sea Bass.. Then a few years ago, for whatever reason, they indeed started tasting like crap to me as well, can't say why.. last few I have eaten last year were NASTY... Now i don't know if they are good or bad.. I should try them one more time to see if I like them or hate them... Could be the water temps, place I caught them, who knows... I will try them again, but am gun shy after the last few i have eaten... bob

[Capt Joe]

Originally Posted by wrktoomuch

If you find this stupid, then keep your thoughts to yourself,

If you insist.