FS Digest

I would like to try going after bonito next time. Currently I only have 6lb line on my reel. Is that strong enough, or should I go heavier? I would like to try both lure and maybe squid bait.

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by tempwaffles

Jeffchow88 Loc: San Francisco

I’ve used 4 - 6lb test for bonito on my 5-1/2’ trout rod, fly/lining live anchovies. The weight on live bait hooks is enough.

froze

If you will be fishing offshore near islands or other such areas where bigger bonito hang out you should use 15 to 20 pound braided line, otherwise if you know the area you'll be fishing only has smaller bontio's like off of piers than just use 10 to 12 pound braided line. So your 6 pound line is a bit light.

I would probably use Power Pro Super Slick V2 braided line, along with a 10 to 15 pound fluorocarbon leader if going for smaller bonito, otherwise jump up to 30 to 50 pound fluorocarbon leader for the bigger guys.

Make sure you have a large spool to hold a lot of line because bonito can be surprisingly strong and could run your line if you a small spool.

They are generally found in 300 to 600 feet of water as well as in kelp beds and closer to shore near the surface. Birds can be a clue for where bonito are at, if they are circling and diving at the water in a certain spot it's a good indication they may be going after bonito and have located them for you.

Use live anchovies or sardines for bait unless you prefer using fake bait then I would probably use a 7 inch Hogy original in a amber color. Hogy seems to specialize in artificial lures for Bonito so another option from them is a the Hogy Epoxy Jig and try various colors that simulate anchovy color, a 2 1/2 inch length is a the best all around size in about a 5/8ths weight if the wind is normal, strong winds means heavier lure. Hogy also makes a metal lure called the Sand Eel Jig which does work but may be slower than some of the others I mentioned, but I used it if all the others failed. Rapala plugs are also good like the silver X Rap jointed Shad and X Rap Magnums as are the Doc's Goofy Jig and a silver Got Cha Lure

Bonito is fun to catch but after eating one I found I didn't like it, it was oily and bloodier than most other fish, so after that first and only eating experience I would go to try to catch one and then cut them into strips and use them for bait, the blood and oil will attract other fish pretty good, I've also cut the whole fish up into small one to two inch pieces and throw the whole mess into the water to try to chum the water and bring in other fish to the area.

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

I caught 100's of bonito in southern California as a teenager, and used ultralight (4lb test) up to 8 lb rated freshwater tackle from small private boats, but nothing under 12 or 15 lb test from a party boat or crowded pier. A 5 lb bonita fights like a little tuna and will zoom around and snag everyone's line on a party boat or pier, pissing off everybody, so that's no place for light tackle. You WILL get way more hookups on light tackle if using live bait, so it's really tempting! I had an Italian neighbor who would cook my bonita in a strong tomato sauce, and I still couldn't choke them down. They're really, uh, powerful tasting.

metaiv

Bad rap on eating bonito. They are perfectly good to eat IF you bleed them immediately after catching. Just stick a knife through the eyeballs and hang them by the tail (or put in bucket with a little water head down.) Then when you filet them, cut out the lateral blood line. The result is perfectly good eating that tastes a bit like yellowtail.

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Bonito is good tableware, but once caught needs to be bled out, and put on ice ,we make Ceviche ,or smoke it.

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Darn spellcheck, Tablefare

froze

I had a friend who knew how to prepare them, I can't recall how he did it, but I know he hung the thing upside down, but I simply didn't like the taste, I think it tasted anything like yellowtail, but that's just me.

froze

But a lot of people fish off of piers in S Calif, and a 4 pound test is simply not strong enough, and really not strong enough for hauling the fish up onto the pier. Maybe on a small private boat you could get away with 4 lb test with small bonitos, but a medium size to large size you can forget about it, they have tendency to run and with 4 lb test you're not going to stop that run without breaking the line or it runs the line completely out, ask me how I know!

froze

You smoke it? does it get you high? Can you blow smoke circles out of its mouth?

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

Yeah, I meant that 4 and 6 lb line was too light for pier and party boat fishing, but fine (and fun!) on a private boat. Great memories of fighting "bones" in King Harbor Redondo, and off the end of the Santa Monica pier 40+ years ago. Those skills I learned bonito fishing still come in handy when I still always seem to hook my biggest fish on my lightest rod!

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

😁😁we cut them in 2-3"X whatever long strips we want, brine a few hours in a little salt,sugar,pepper ,Worcestershire sauce,and soy sauce, for smoking,fish candy!