What is Your Most Exotic Catch Single Poling?

[J White]

how did it taste is my question , always wondered what one really tasted like , never hear much about them on the table ...?
folks ketch them and sturgeon in some cases just for them fish eggs ....

Years ago when it was legal, we snagged for them in Sardis spillway.
Biggest I ever caught was 48 pounds, but lots of 30-40 pound fish. There is a little learning curve to dressing them, but I rate them as good as crappie at the table. Different, but pure white and very mild tasting. Pulls apart with a grain like tenderloin instead of flaking like fish. But there is too much money to be made off them, the caviar folks who are apparently politically well connected have gotten laws changed so the average Joe who wants one to eat is out of luck. I actually considered going rogue, but after researching the penalties NOPE.
It’s a higher level violation than poaching a deer or turkey out of season, I think they call it a level 3 violation. Money talks in MS, grinds my gears


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[MCG1]

Michigan has a very limited surgeon season, highly regulated. Through the ice, spearfishing. People that get them rave about how good they taste. Don't hear much about harvesting their eggs. My most exotic came through the ice. A burbot. Not a very attractive fish, but a good pull on an ice rod.

[Rojo]

Seems you can sportfish for Paddlefish but 30 inches and longer fish must be released immediately. Tenn-Tom and other waterways in that area no harvest is allowed at all.

[J White]

Seems you can sportfish for Paddlefish but 30 inches and longer fish must be released immediately. Tenn-Tom and other waterways in that area no harvest is allowed at all.

Yeah thats eye to fork of tail. Out of several dozen I’ve caught over the years, only recall maybe one that was under that. It went from no limit, to that. Pretty much shut us down. We had already seen the writing on the wall and only been keeping one or two a season. And trying to talk to anyone in Jackson goes nowhere. We were all for sensible limits, maybe even a purchased tag to keep one. But nope. From all to nothing.


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[Rojo]

Yeah thats eye to fork of tail. Out of several dozen I’ve caught over the years, only recall maybe one that was under that. It went from no limit, to that. Pretty much shut us down. We had already seen the writing on the wall and only been keeping one or two a season. And trying to talk to anyone in Jackson goes nowhere. We were all for sensible limits, maybe even a purchased tag to keep one. But nope. From all to nothing.

I do not think the one I caught would be under that measurement. I'm guessing at 4ft but look at the picture, it's pretty long in the body. You think it would have made it under the 30 inches? I would not have kept it if legal anyway but curious still if you think that fish was legal Bud.

[mozingo1952]

Not so exotic , but I consider it remarkable. 43 lb flathead , quite a tussle on an 8 ft ProAnger rod.

MO

[J White]

I do not think the one I caught would be under that measurement. I'm guessing at 4ft but look at the picture, it's pretty long in the body. You think it would have made it under the 30 inches? I would not have kept it if legal anyway but curious still if you think that fish was legal Bud.

I’m just guessing of course, but yessir I figure it would’ve been over that. This post brings back some fond memories though! When you hit one in the back with that 9/0 treble, they would make a 209 Penn reel SMOKE pulling drag. I still have my 12 foot extra heavy ugly stick. Used 80 pound saltwater fusion line, did have one break off at the boat once. Sounded like a gunshot when line parted!


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[J White]

Occasionally you’d get one that would jump several feet clear of the water and head shake - we called em the poor mans billfish. At first I was gaffing them at boatside, but when we started releasing most of them, we all bought tools from the co-op called a hog catcher. Had a loop of steel cable that tightened and only released when you hit the lever. Padded them with rubber tubing over the steel cable so as not to damage their bill. I caught and released a couple that had lost half or two thirds of their bill to I assume to boat props, healed over and did not seem worse for wear. They are a tough critter.
Hung into the biggest longnose gar I’ve ever seen one night. Had him stuck somewhere around the head, he did a power dive when I got him to the boat, his tail fin looked a foot or more wide. Absolutely drenched me, and hook finally pulled out. I was relieved, those things don’t quit and I was dreading trying to get my hook out! Snagging was a curious thing, not fishing, not hunting - full contact wrestling with a fish. I’d throw my back out every year and be hobbling around wearing a back brace. Don’t think I could handle much of that now!


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[Rojo]

Not so exotic , but I consider it remarkable. 43 lb flathead , quite a tussle on an 8 ft ProAnger rod.

MO

Still, Way Cool Bud!

[CrappiePappy]

Occasionally you’d get one that would jump several feet clear of the water and head shake - we called em the poor mans billfish.

Sounds a lot like the "Tennessee Tarpon" (ie: Skipjack Shad) that I could also add to my list of "exotics" caught while one poling. They do like to go airborne when you stick the metal to them !!