Why so many Skates today? I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or...

Salhof56 Loc: Point Pleasant, NJ

I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or temp?

Came back inside and could get small fluke any time I used Spearing. No keepers

Thanks

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Not sure--I didn't know they schooled, if that's the reason. Have you considered keeping the skates and fileting their wings? They're really yummy!

Salhof56 Loc: Point Pleasant, NJ

Never thought about it but if it stays like this it seems like a new menu item.
Thanks

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

DCGravity wrote:

Not sure--I didn't know they schooled, if that's the reason. Have you considered keeping the skates and fileting their wings? They're really yummy!

Agreed DC, I’ve had them along with filleted sea robin tails. Found them both quite palatable.

Jeremy Loc: America

Salhof56 wrote:

I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or temp?

Came back inside and could get small fluke any time I used Spearing. No keepers

Thanks

Jealous of the Skates. Flat out high quality food. I harvested one when Halibut Fishing in May on my way home from the NorCal Get together.

I split the harvested meat from the skate with another guy on the boat that didn’t get to harvest a Halibut that day.

I love it stir fried with onion and few other favorite veggies. Very tender and way good. Many people cut the wings up and serve it much like scallops.

BongsonBob Loc: East Bay

Be sure to "bleed" them before processing

Dfraniok Loc: Toms River, NJ

Salhof56 wrote:

I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or temp?

Came back inside and could get small fluke any time I used Spearing. No keepers

Thanks

I was taught by a local Fish Biologist, big bait / big fish. I fish for fluke with whole west coast Squid. Local jersey shore bait shops carry it frozen. I use two 5/0 Mustad Beak hooks. One on the end of the 18” leader and one movable on the leader, Swivel at the dropper loop that is 6” above the weight. End hook through the eyes. Movable hook through the Top of the hood.
I use this drifting. Last time out 17”,19”, & 22” with two anglers. Only one skate and one short.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Dfraniok wrote:

I was taught by a local Fish Biologist, big bait / big fish. I fish for fluke with whole west coast Squid. Local jersey shore bait shops carry it frozen. I use two 5/0 Mustad Beak hooks. One on the end of the 18” leader and one movable on the leader, Swivel at the dropper loop that is 6” above the weight. End hook through the eyes. Movable hook through the Top of the hood.
I use this drifting. Last time out 17”,19”, & 22” with two anglers. Only one skate and one short.

Great idea, Dfraniok. Confirming that by "Top of the hood" you mean the tip of the squid with the canards opposite of the tenticles?

PLS Loc: Kingsport, TN

Salhof56 wrote:

I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or temp?

Came back inside and could get small fluke any time I used Spearing. No keepers

Thanks

It seems like I remember cobia like to follow skates when they start schooling.

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

Salhof56 wrote:

I went out of Manasquan this morning about a mile and a half straight out the inlet. Hooked in to about 8 to 10 Skates. Can they be avoided? Maybe depth or temp?

Came back inside and could get small fluke any time I used Spearing. No keepers

Thanks

They are difficult to avoid when they are schooled up.

Cbanger Loc: Downingtown pa

I saw a fishing show recently from down south. Guys were fishing very clear water looking for big skates and stingrays. After finding them the cobia were normally very close by

Jeremy Loc: America

Jim Kay wrote:

They are difficult to avoid when they are schooled up.

Awesome can eat more.

Jeremy Loc: America

PLS wrote:

It seems like I remember cobia like to follow skates when they start schooling.

Perfect then can target both. Mine was about 52 miles west of Reedsport Oregon. It was in 400-500’ deep on electric reel.