Albacore v false albacore

[vikesdad]

As I get excited reading these recent reports, I just need to clarify one thing. Are these boats catching false albacore ? Been awhile since I had a chance to catch them but if memory serves me right they have little value to eat. Reason why I mention it is that I have seen some photos with guys posing with them at day's end. I have seen photos on non sponsor as well as sponsor sites...are there any bonitos mixed in ? am I missing something ?

[tjd24]

The pics are Little Tunny or False Albacore. They have little food value.
True (Longfin) Albacore which have excellent food value are found offshore.

They are two different Species.

[BugEye Chris]

Also skip jacks look similar to false Albie

[bulletbob]

Its been decades since I caught a Little Tunny... I know they are really poor eating but as the OP said, lots of guys keep them instead of letting them go..
I seem to recall they almost beat themselves to death during the battle and boating, and many simply wouldn't survive even if released.. Maybe someone can enlighten me.. I have caught them, but it was probably 35 years ago that i last caught any, and am curious as to why some guys keep them to eat.. From what i recall, it was the worst eating fish I ever tried... bob

[tautog]

I had some people who consistently bought them off me back in the day. I was always shocked when they came back for more. They are good bait.

[Chrisper4694]

i've never tried them but, i'm pretty sure you can poach the strong unpleasant taste out of just about any oily fish!

[NoLimit]

Has anyone smoked or pickled them?

[Joey Dah Fish]

Originally Posted by NoLimit

Has anyone smoked or pickled them?

They're a little harsh and tough to keep lit in the pipe

[tombanjo]

Unfortunately there are very few bonita mixed in. Sunday's bonanza on the Golden Eagle yielded roughly 100 albies for the boat and one lone bonita. I offered the dude my 9 albies for it but he wisely turned me down. A few years ago I did get a 20lb pollack for 10 albies. Bunch of Japanese guys, they really wanted them. Art of the deal.

Skipjacks look different, they have a distinctive purple coloring on top and lines like a true albie has. Albies look the way they taste as do sea bass for that matter. Some real pigs came up today and were sadly thrown back.

[Papasown]

When heading out to the canyon, you are very fortunate to catch a couple False Albacore. Cut each side in a checkerboard pattern, and fillet each side off in 1/2 to 3/4 in. cubes. Put them in a bag on ice, for when you pick up a Dolphin fish on the troll, or around some float. When the first fish is at boatside, put the rod in the holder, and let the school stay with their buddy. Start chunking small handfulls of the cubes while you get down your spinner with a coastal swivel holding a 5/0 circle hook on a short leader. Bury the hook in a chunk with no weight, and let it float down in the mix. When your next Mahi is at boatside, bring in the first one, and leave it on the deck. When the next Mahi comes up, pull in the second one that is in the water, and unclip the coastal clip, and add another leadered hook. When we go to Hatteras, I make up a small bag of 10 for each person on board. When you are out of hooks, you have limited out. You will be ankle deep in good eating. Get your hooks back when the fish are chilled, and quiet. Almost nothing is as good as deep fried Mahi Fingers the first night......Yum.
If you don't catch a False Albie, peanut bunker, spearing, or squid pieces work as well........Catch 'em up............Papa