Snooky Sydney pike

[omo]

Hi fellow raiders,

Hope you're all well. Been dough-nutting the last couple of outings but managed a couple of pikes on the last one. I've heard rumours about them being smelly to handle and undesirable table fish, but upon nasal investigation and a subsequent cook, I can't really say my experience is reflective of the word on the street/wharf. They didn't smell offensive, and the eating was similar to that of whiting. Can anyone else corroborate this?  They were caught off a wharf with prawn bait under a float. Sun was high up and run in tide. Some surface action in the form of local swimmers braving the cold windy conditions. And here's me in 3 layers static. Other catches were undersized trevally, tarwhine, and bream. 

[Little_Flatty]

Nice one Omo. I have heard of a few anglers who rate them. From what I've heard, they rate them for grilling Japanese style. Fantastic bait as well.

[Isaac Ct]

Nice stuff mate, I have heard similar things but have not caught one let alone eat one. When I eventually do (hopefully) I will have to try it. Good on you for trying something against the run of other's opinions, I guess you never know what will be good and what won't unless you try it.

Well done.

[masterfisho7]

Well done you say t like whiting to eat they must be ok 

[LuckyFil]

I’m pretty sure they are snook not pike which are similar but shorter. But I’ll leave a definite call on that to the fish ID experts on this forum.

This may account for the lack of smell. Years ago I knew a local fisherman who regularly caught snook in Brisbane Waters and rated them as good eating.

Fil

[bessell1955]

What is the difference between Snook and Pike ?

[Oscarthebeagle]

Hi

Well done for getting out and having a go.

Definitely not the Pike that people refer to as "stinky" although I have eaten Long-finned Pike and they are perfectly edible. 

Looks more like a Striped Seapike (#437 in Sea Fishes of Southern Australia) caught a few and have found them nice to eat.

Ash

[Oscarthebeagle]

3 minutes ago, bessell1955 said:

What is the difference between Snook and Pike ?

Snook are a longer thinner fish and generally lack the yellow stripes.

Long-finned Pike are what people think of as the "stinky" pike. 

Striped Seapike are a separate  species that looks similar. 

Just to add to the confusion Snook is used as a common name for a few species including Spotted Mackeral in some parts of Nth NSW.

Hopefully that helps

Ash

[Pickles]

Well done @omo, don’t let the smell put you off - Jewfish have an equally distinctive smell and taste pretty good. I’d rate yellowfin pike with whiting - delicate and soft flesh, but don’t freeze. They are also a gun bait for snapper and live for Kingies (but scales fall off and don’t stay alive too long).

Ive found you can get a few on squid bats, but they love fresh fish flesh & a school fish, so if you get one & burley up, you can get a doz or so.

loved reading your report 👍

[Rebel]

Great report.

Nice Pike.

Dip them in Vegemite, you won't taste the difference.

Cheers.

[omo]

1 hour ago, Pickles said:

Well done @omo, don’t let the smell put you off - Jewfish have an equally distinctive smell and taste pretty good. I’d rate yellowfin pike with whiting - delicate and soft flesh, but don’t freeze. They are also a gun bait for snapper and live for Kingies (but scales fall off and don’t stay alive too long).

Ive found you can get a few on squid bats, but they love fresh fish flesh & a school fish, so if you get one & burley up, you can get a doz or so.

loved reading your report 👍

Awesome advice Pickles! Thanks for passing on. Here's a photo of what I think could be the same species at the fish market. Not too shabby at $18.99! And thank you everyone else for your input and knowledge. 

[omo]

1 hour ago, Rebel said:

Great report.

Nice Pike.

Dip them in Vegemite, you won't taste the difference.

Cheers.

Hmm.. hard to argue with solid logic! Thanks Rebel. Here's one for you..

[Pickles]

And a banana with the Vegemite 

[Yowie]

As Ash stated, Striped Sea Pike (faint stripe along the body) or Snook.

Not stinky and reasonable eating - fillets are best.

[podtrailler]

On 8/23/2022 at 6:45 PM, omo said:

Hi fellow raiders,

Hope you're all well. Been dough-nutting the last couple of outings but managed a couple of pikes on the last one. I've heard rumours about them being smelly to handle and undesirable table fish, but upon nasal investigation and a subsequent cook, I can't really say my experience is reflective of the word on the street/wharf. They didn't smell offensive, and the eating was similar to that of whiting. Can anyone else corroborate this?  They were caught off a wharf with prawn bait under a float. Sun was high up and run in tide. Some surface action in the form of local swimmers braving the cold windy conditions. And here's me in 3 layers static. Other catches were undersized trevally, tarwhine, and bream. 

Well done. Pike or snook there dont smell. A fine fish to eat. 1000 time better quality fish than Australian salmon.