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For no good reason, I headed to the St Marks Refuge in the rain this afternoon. Coupla throws of the cast net brought in mudminnows and two HUGE menhaden (aka pogies, bunkers) that reached nearly ten inches. Just as I started freelining a mudminnow, the storm hit, with lightning flashes on all sides. I scurried back to safety, lamenting that this would be my first time getting skunked on the Refuge in over two years.

Or maybe not.

In my haste to cram all the gear into the car before getting zapped, I neglected to dump the bait. The outsized menhaden came home with me (on ice). They yielded a little baggie of fillets, which I intend to fry tomorrow for lunch. If they turn out edible, today counts as a "caught fish" day. If I spit them out, today goes down as a goose egg for catching keepers.

Any of y'all ever eat these things? Before you scoff, note that an internet search turns up references from the 1800s that ranks menhaden above striped bass.

We did when I was a child. Back then we ate everything and liked it. My bet is that they will be better than Lady Fish.

Let us know.

Hey Gary.

Just curious, did you happen to see a pm from me about a week ago? It was not fishing related (really), but it was lightning related. - John

Sorry, John. Did not get a PM.

Verdict on the menhaden: Bleah. For comparison, I pan-seared them in butter with chopped onion & salt/pepper alongside some largemouth bass fillets. Spritzed with lemon juice just before eating. The bass were predictably tasty. The menhaden were okay, but yielded a heavy sardine flavor. So, menhaden have food value, but - like going to see "Despicable Me" with my nephews - one visit is enough.

Okay, Gary. I vote that your streak is still alive, but in critical condition.

Fishin' is the mission.

Ladyfish still wins