Mola mola

howzit,

just wondering, is it ok to catch mola mola?

As in:
A) Is it legal? (I think so but just checking)
B) Do they taste good?

Also, is it ok to snag it, or is that bad form?

mahalo,
HG

It's legal to catch. Everyone I asked said it tastes bad.  Not sure any of them actually tried it, so believe them if you want to.  Some say it's bad luck to kill them and others will talk crap about you if you kill them because they are cute.  Not worth it for me, but if you do kill them probably a good idea not to post about it.

roger that thanks for the info. will stay away.

It's legal to catch. Everyone I asked said it tastes bad.  Not sure any of them actually tried it, so believe them if want to.  Some say it's bad luck to kill them and others will talk crap about you if you kill them because they are cute.  Not worth it for me, but if you do kill them probably a good idea not to post about it.

According to the wikipedia article, "The flesh of the ocean sunfish is considered a delicacy in some regions, the largest markets being Taiwan and Japan." Of course, they eat stinky tofu in Taiwan...

Just because I found this on the internet doesn't mean it's true.   

http://www.mexfish.com/enad/enad2005/enad051205a/enad051205a.htm

copy-pasted from that site -

"The sunfish is the heaviest fish in the ocean per square inch. The two of them lifted the fish onto the gunwale where Alex performed expert, professional and knowledgeable surgery. Pay attention here. The first thing you need to know about filleting a sunfish is that what looks like you should cut and take home is what you throw out. What looks like what you should throw out, you take home.

First you cut off the side of the fish to expose it's inner parts. Amongst the organs you will find a white jelly-like flesh. This is what you want. The side of the fish is like a white meat lid to protect his insides. Turn the fish over and do the same, extracting the jelly-like white flesh. Bag it and chill it.

To cook mola mola flesh you must first boil this jelly like meat for 20 minutes. It will shrink to half its size and become more solid. Then take what's left and fry it. You can bread it or fry in oil and garlic."

According to the wikipedia article, "The flesh of the ocean sunfish is considered a delicacy in some regions, the largest markets being Taiwan and Japan." Of course, they eat stinky tofu in Taiwan...

What's not a delicacy in japan.it seems like if it lives in water they eat it

I dunno brah I'm gonna have to ask around on that one.

In all my time on the water back home in Hawaii, never once ran across one. I've been out on the water in a kayak twice in northern CA and seen em both times. Trippy.

It's more of an accidental catch in HI:
http://hawaiifishingnews.com/records_d.cfm?ID=19

Old Polynesian legend ..bad luck to eat Mola Mola..

one of the older ,retired, Monterey harbor masters, 'John'  told me he had some in Japan years ago,and his wifes Mother knew how to prepare it..says they can make Mola taste as good as lobster-or blackened swordfish -he also said he had it again another time there and it was disgusting

I had found a pretty large one injured and dying - and brought it to shore for pics..he was beach walking and told me about it then..he mentioned that they soak-brine the thing -only one part of it- etc and the process is long and not easy

Sounds like s lot of work for something that may or may not be worth it. ..

There are lots of them in HMB. Saw a huge one today - at least 3 ft diameter.  It came to surface from the deep *slowly*, very creepy. .

They are jellyfish eaters.

Leave 'em be.

I Zod Out

I read that the Mola Mola is the boniest fish alive. There was a picture of it's skeleton and man you would not believe what it looked like. It seems that there wasn't much to eat and what a hassle it would be to try to get some meat from that fish.
I think the Hawaiians are right, don't kill and eat a Mola Mola.
See you in Albion!!!!
Aloha,
Da Bruddah (Michael Y.)

I think they are good omens for us at sea.

They can be spooky looking, especially when they just sort of loom out of the depths, but they are benign creatures.

I'd be superstitious of bad luck if I killed one.
 I mean, I've seen sea lions kill them and we all know sea lions are just dicks. I don't want to be associated with those f***kers.

I think they are good omens for us at sea.

They can be spooky looking, especially when they just sort of loom out of the depths, but they are benign creatures.

I'd be superstitious of bad luck if I killed one.
 I mean, I've seen sea lions kill them and we all know sea lions are just dicks. I don't want to be associated with those f***kers.

yeah ^    GWS eat them regularly....says SharkWeek!

Don't be a like a sealion...don't kill Mola Molas...