New Guy

[MUDSLNGR]

Thanks for the tip, I looked at the fish identifier, but they all look so much different underwater. Some I can tell apart, but how will i know one when i see one? how big are they usually? thanks.

[Freedro]

Originally Posted by MUDSLNGR

Thanks for the tip, I looked at the fish identifier, but they all look so much different underwater. Some I can tell apart, but how will i know one when i see one? how big are they usually? thanks.

This one is easy. The one that Fish & Game writes you a citation for is NOT a croaker or corbina. It is a juvenile white seabass. Just don't shoot anything under 28 inches, and you'll be doing fine.

[Killer&Griller]

[Spearsd]

go here http://mexfish.com/fish/fish.htm. I spent a lot of hours just studying the difference in appearance between the fish in my first few months spearing. They range from 12"-24" and will be sitting on the bottom half of the time.

[mnguy]

Originally Posted by MUDSLNGR

Thanks for the tip, I looked at the fish identifier, but they all look so much different underwater. Some I can tell apart, but how will i know one when i see one? how big are they usually? thanks.

Croakers are usually more stocky than WSB, and they don't have the fat black vertical stripe known as a parr mark, which is one of the main signs of a juvenile WSB. There are multiple kinds, such as the spotfins, yellowfins and blacks. Spotfins are the biggest and have a black spot at the base of each pectoral fin(hence the name), yellowfins are usually under 14" with dark yellow fins and small black spots on the body and blacks look like rubberlip perch without the lips.

Corbina are elongated like WSB, but they spend their lives behind the surfline eating pileworms and sand crabs, so they have a mouth that hangs under the nose instead of on the nose. They also lack the parr marks.

You'll find most of the croakers along hard bottom patches surrounded by sand. Corbina will be anywhere from right behind the waves to where they will have their backs out of the water onshore.

Another fish that makes good target practice and tastes good is the sargo. It is a silver fish with a body plan like a perch, and it has one big vertical black stripe. There is no size limit on any of these fish, and a 10 fish bag limit.

This is a good link for some of the different species that you can find out here.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/msfindx0.html

Hope this helps.

[PainKilla]

Croaker recipe:
1. Shoot croaker
2. Fillet or clean and steak
3. Obtain old, dried cow patty
4. Place croaker on cow patty and season to taste
5. Cook 4-5 hours at 500F
6. Toss croaker and eat cow patty

[MUDSLNGR]

... That bad huh!

[Spearsd]

Croaker's a good white meat, not as good as bass, but better than sheephead

[MUDSLNGR]

I had sheephead once, It was pretty good. I think I'll be in the water all weekend, so I will put all of these tips to good use. I informed my dive buddy that i'm not coming home empty handed at all costs, and he still wants to come, go figure. I've only been a handfull of times, but I think i'm developing withdrawl symptoms... lack of concentration, cold sweats, trembling... wierd.

[amasterp1322]

I honestly think that Croaker is one of the best eating fish. Its white and flakey. You have to try it to make your own decision

[Spearsd]

Addiction sets in quickly it only gets worse after your first fish.

[mnguy]

Originally Posted by amasterp1322

I honestly think that Croaker is one of the best eating fish. Its white and flakey. You have to try it to make your own decision

WSB are also croakers, for those not in the know

Yellowfin croaker are good when broiled like you get in Korean restaurants. Just bake it until its almost done then turn the oven up to broil and roast both sides right under the coils until they brown up and get crispy. Black croakers are good for soups, and spotfins are great cut into filets and steamed. Corbina are nothing but fish tacos waiting to be battered and fried.

One thing that I forgot to mention earlier about corbina is that they aren't as prevalent now as they are in the summertime. You couldn't help but see them everywhere in the summertime, but now you're lucky to see a school of 5.

Anthony is totally right about trying it before you knock it too. Most people hate mackeral, but if you're asian you probably like it. Sheephead are the same way. In the same vein, I dont understand why people like salmon so much. It doesn't do anything for me, though I like trout

[amasterp1322]

I found a picture of 2 spotfin corakers that I got over the summer. Notice the spot behind the pectoral fin and also the yellow fins. They are more silver but the flash made it look whiter.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...eID=1127114437

Feel free to laugh at my friends comment. He is one of the most stupidest kids I know but his dad is an attorney go figure

[Spearsd]

I still will do occasional in close dives for croaker and corbina it's a really good eating fish and a nice intro to the sport

[68beast]

Originally Posted by amasterp1322

I honestly think that Croaker is one of the best eating fish. Its white and flakey. You have to try it to make your own decision

I've only ever shot one but I have to agree, I thought it was pretty friggen good. Corbina are also tasty and are good target practice for a beginner polespearo.

Stick with the places you are diving, they are good spots IMO. I've seen some amazing fish at Moss St. And dont get discouraged with the polespear, yes it is harder but if you learn to use it properly you'll be absolutely deadly with a gun. Im no expert by any means, but if you'd like to have a polespearin day somewhere feel free to shoot me a PM. I'll try and show you the little I have learned in the last year.

Later!
-Steve