“Hamachi,” or more commonly referred to as the yellowtail in California, is known as one of the most difficult pound-for-pound fishing fish in the ocean. A member of the jack species, the yellowtail is known to challenge even the most experienced angler and spearfisherman. If successful, these fish are great table fare if properly prepared prior to icing the fish down for transport back to port. It’s important to immediately gill and gut these fish and pack their stomach and gill pockets with ice. If done correctly, this fish is known as an amazing sashimi-grade fish for all to enjoy....
The bluefin tuna hasn’t been so abundant on the West Coast of California since the early 1900s. In the past 4 years, we have witnessed the return of big bait schools, quota’ed Mexico- and US-based commercial fishing fleets that were implemented back in 2011, and the perfect storm of ocean current and conditions, which have all contributed to the new bounty of bluefin tuna. Whether you’re rod-and-reel or spearfishing, these large fish get very warm during the capture phase of the fight. Once the fish are brought to the boat, it’s important to let them cool down prior to placing...
It’s not uncommon for marlin fishermen to encounter large billfish that are simply too big to cover and cool in those tropical conditions while transporting those fish back to dock for the weigh in. The need for a large kill blanket is now a necessity for any boat fishing kill tournament or for fishing commercially. As many tournament anglers know, every ounce counts when the fish hit the scales, and a good kill blanket helps keep dehydration and atrophy of the fish to a minimum. Those tropical and humid conditions can easily dry out the fishes’ outer and inner epidermal...
