SC Tourny, should sharks be allowed?

Little poll here for the tourny, Should sharks be allowed for weigh in? Everyone knows threshers are good eating, but so are Blue sharks if bled in a timely manor. Just curious where everyone stands on this issue.

What tournament is this?  I would vote if I knew the details.

MolBasser

The person who catches the heaviest fish will win a new Ocean Kayak sit-on-top kayak.

Last year the heaviest "edible" fish would be the winner. The problem was that many didn't consider blue sharks or bat rays to be "edible". I believe Joel caught a bat ray that would've taken the prize but since he didn't submit it, the point was moot.

If you look at the entry form this year heaviest is in bold, thus clarifying the rules with no cultural bias on what fish is "edible" or not.

As long as Blue Sharks and Bat Rays are allowed to be caught during the derby, according to DFG rules, then these catches are eligible to be the winning fish.

The only problem is when you start targeting sharks, you also have the chance of enticing Mr. Whitey.

Personally, I'd go after a bat ray, less chance of gettin eaten and I hear they taste like scallops.

Normally most people I know wouldn't keep a blue shark or a bat ray.  They would, however, keep a T shark.  So personally I won't be targeting blue sharks or bat rays, nor do I think they should be allowed.  But if I see a nice baitball, I'll be flylining a livey in hopes of Mr. T or Mr. WSB.

-Allen

I have not personally eatin batray, but know many who have.  It has been roundly praised as good table fair.

I have eatin shovelnose guitarfish, and can testify that it is quite good.

The same cannot be said (by me) of blue shark.  Although, I can't remember if I bled the fish (probably not).  It was terrible.  I like mako however.

MolBasser

Usually Mark will let us take a vote on a subject like this. I think we should have a vote at the BBQ this year to clarify the subject matter and prevent any future disputes. I would really hate to see a fish go to waste.

-Brian

This question seems to come up every year...

I think everyone would roll their eyes if a person registered a bat ray.  That person would probably be ostracized to a large extent for doing so as well.

My opinion is that if a person wants to register a bat ray... They better be willing to grill some of it up and eat it in front of everyone and look like they're really enjoying it.  

I would not dispute a Thresher, Leopard, Soupfin, or other species of commonly known edible sharks.  They are widely recognized as good table fare.

Erik

I've eaten 2 small bat rays, they have a very mild flavor but the meat doesn't hold together too well.  I tried rolling fillets in cajun seasoning and frying them but it fell apart and I ended up with scrambled bat ray.  It was very good though, probably best in a chowder or similar dish where you aren't shooting for pretty fillets though.

Skinning the buggers is awful messy and probably the main reason it's not more popular.

KZ,

I would gladly eat bat ray.  If it tastes anything like guitarfish (it is supposed to) then I will be eatin well.

MolBasser

Erik,

Why would "everyone" roll their eyes if someone brought in a "blue" or "bat ray". Is it not within the confines of the rules? Or is it because "white boys" don't eat bat rays or blues, that they shouldn't be allowed?

OMG - did I say "white boys"? Does that smack of raciscm? Or is it cultural bias? Why is eating Bat Ray frowned upon, but picking 8" snails off the bottom of the ocean and punchin a card highly commended?

Toss an abalone on the grill and what do you get - rubber? I'm sure if you soaked a blue shark in buttermilk or carefully prepared bat ray wings you'd get a splendid meal.

Where does it say in the rules, whatever you catch, you have to toss on the grill and enjoy it with a shit eating grin? I know back in the day, viking's would roast whatever whole, eat the edible parts, and throw the other parts away.

Now, if it is because some people would not eat bat ray or blue shark, but would keep one just to win a kayak - then YES, I understand there is a problem of wasted fish. It would be culturally biased, BUT, it would be a rule across the board to benefit the fishery and level the playing field and some contestants wouldn't be 'forced' to bring in an unwanted fish, in order to win OR look down or "oscterize" someone who did.

If anyone brought in a blue shark, well, wouldn't the deserve 1st place? That's really puttin your balls on the line and the fight would be more epic than the largest barn door halibut IMHO.

But of course, these are all opions. The poll should be modified to allow or disallow bat rays as well, to see if we do get an overwhelming opinion on that species, rather than letting cultural bias force the issue.

Hey Elric... cool off man... you really sound hostile.

First of all, I never said anything about Blue sharks... I just don't think it's likely that anyone would target or catch one... more power to you if you do.

Secondly... I never said anything about a cultural bias... you're the one who went there.  Look no further than Molbasser for proof that "white boys" will eat bat rays.  I don't eat them because I simply prefer to eat other species and I don't view them as table fare... others may... but most fisherman that I know don't... that's reality.

I simply stated my opinion.  You are free to disagree with me, but this issue comes up every year and every year I hear the same rhetoric.

My opinion is what it is... and based on conversations I've had with others in the past, I'm not alone in my opinon.   So go ahead and register your bat ray... I'll roll my eyes... you'll take your new kayak and go home... and that will be that... no hard feelings.

I don't make the rules... the rules are loose and we are all free to our own opinions about them.  You've made yours known... but there is no reason to be hostile.


P.S.  If you know how to prepare it... there is no reason your abalone has to wind up rubbery... including on the grill.  But this is a fishing contest, so I don't even know how abalone is germaine to the discussion.

I personally think they aught to scoot the tourney back into july so that lingcod and rockfish are elidgible - then at least most people will catch a fish they can enter.  I think it's only a matter of time until one year the halibut bite is dead and someone wins with a jacksmelt or perch.

Opening the tournament up to bat rays would probably make it a bat ray tournament, especially if you could drive to the southbay.  They're easier to catch and larger than any other gamefish we've got.

The rules do not require you to eat your catch so let your conscience be your guide.  In my opinion, if you take a fish and don't intend to use it then shame on you.  The rules are fine as they are.  What you keep is a question of ethics not culture.

(no vote)

P.S.

Just saw your post, spark.  I agree but I doubt Mark will change the date.

KZ,

LOL!!  Yep, I'm as white as they come.  I do eat some weird stuff.  You can't knock it till you try it.

I like how you got "germane" into your post!

I don't have a big deal with it.  I still don't even know what tourny we are talking about or the boundaries for it.


Anyhoo, untill I get more background I really can't comment on what should or should not be allowed to be weighed.

I just wanted to say that bat ray is good table fare as relayed to me by people who have actually eatin it.  Only those that haven't tried it turn there noses up to it.

MolBasser

Kayak Connection June 12 Tourney ...  http://www.kayakconnection.com/KC_Files/kaykfishingform.pdf

-Allen