What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? - Page 2

true-king · 07-16-2008, 02:42 PM

If they're schooling up on the surface I'd say they are moon fish. I've been seeing a lot out and around pensacola pass. I will pull up to a school hoping for some good bait only to be disappointed by a sabiki full of moon fish. :banghead

Or it could be yellow jacks.

Jarhead · 07-16-2008, 02:55 PM

I've tried them several times when I ran out of bait and never gotten a bite with em'. Guys around me would be hooking up and I got nothing on them..

GregBR549 · 07-16-2008, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll pitch 'em back in or put them in the chum bucket.

FizzyLifter · 07-16-2008, 04:23 PM

Crazyfish, leatherjackets, zooloo's, whatever you want to call them, they're a pain in the arse!

kahala boy · 07-16-2008, 04:53 PM

If you are into making lures, I'm told that the skin makes good flashing material......

fishyfingers · 07-16-2008, 10:30 PM

The fish is called Atlantic Bumper "Chloroscombrus chrysurus", known locally as Crazyfish and incorrectly as Moonfish to the east. They have 2 very sharp anal spines that you will often find when trying to remove them from sabikis. They are not a prefered bait but they are hardy as hell and many fish will jump on them if they are alive.

Chris V · 07-19-2008, 08:01 AM

For bottom species they don't work that well most of the time, but for Tuna, dolphin and wahoo they are excellent bait. They do hurt when they stick you but you caneasily learn how to hold them without getting stuck.

jigslinger · 07-20-2008, 12:59 AM

Kings will eat them too. Snip the spines off before you use them and be careful handling them!

wrightackle · 07-20-2008, 12:18 PM

I used to toss the moonfish back but I found out they make good chum. Just use a serrated knife and chunk them up. Not much meat there but they do have a nice flash in the water when you chum with them. They really like to hang close to the bouys and the edge of the channel. You have to move away from them to have any chance of getting cigar minnows.

lobsterman · 07-20-2008, 12:28 PM

It sounds like a leatherjacket and it's good alright, good for lighting you happy rear up when it sticks you.

07-16-2008, 02:42 PM	#11
true-king Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensa-hassee Posts: 2,027	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? If they're schooling up on the surface I'd say they are moon fish. I've been seeing a lot out and around pensacola pass. I will pull up to a school hoping for some good bait only to be disappointed by a sabiki full of moon fish. :banghead Or it could be yellow jacks.

07-16-2008, 02:55 PM	#12
Jarhead Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 208	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? I've tried them several times when I ran out of bait and never gotten a bite with em'. Guys around me would be hooking up and I got nothing on them..

07-16-2008, 04:14 PM	#13
GregBR549 Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 90	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? Thanks for the info. I'll pitch 'em back in or put them in the chum bucket.

07-16-2008, 04:23 PM	#14
FizzyLifter Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pace Posts: 833	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? Crazyfish, leatherjackets, zooloo's, whatever you want to call them, they're a pain in the arse!

07-16-2008, 04:53 PM	#15
kahala boy Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Navarre Posts: 1,087	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? If you are into making lures, I'm told that the skin makes good flashing material......

07-16-2008, 10:30 PM	#16
fishyfingers Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 64	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? The fish is called Atlantic Bumper "Chloroscombrus chrysurus", known locally as Crazyfish and incorrectly as Moonfish to the east. They have 2 very sharp anal spines that you will often find when trying to remove them from sabikis. They are not a prefered bait but they are hardy as hell and many fish will jump on them if they are alive.

07-19-2008, 08:01 AM	#17
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,542	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? For bottom species they don't work that well most of the time, but for Tuna, dolphin and wahoo they are excellent bait. They do hurt when they stick you but you caneasily learn how to hold them without getting stuck. __________________

07-20-2008, 12:59 AM	#18
jigslinger Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,024	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? Kings will eat them too. Snip the spines off before you use them and be careful handling them!

07-20-2008, 12:18 PM	#19
wrightackle Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 1005 east lee st Posts: 755	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? I used to toss the moonfish back but I found out they make good chum. Just use a serrated knife and chunk them up. Not much meat there but they do have a nice flash in the water when you chum with them. They really like to hang close to the bouys and the edge of the channel. You have to move away from them to have any chance of getting cigar minnows.

07-20-2008, 12:28 PM	#20
lobsterman Jiggin Finatic Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Okaloosa Posts: 5,877	RE: What is this bait fish and is it good for anything? It sounds like a leatherjacket and it's good alright, good for lighting you happy rear up when it sticks you. __________________ AKA Jiggin Junkie II Chronicles 7:14 Randy's Canvas & Marine Vinyls 850-279-4140 850-855-5314 cell Custom Awnings - Repairs Boat Cushions - Curtains and more

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