Grunt, Black Margate

  • I've been noticing a lot less shootable fish lately and maybe it's just the time of year, idk.. But it gets a fellah thinking about other fish I don't normally target and I wonder how they taste. I dont really like to shoot fish just to kill or chum with, I prefer to eat what I catch. I also don't enjoy shooting something and get home to find out it's not too tastey.


    My question is: What is everyone's opinion on Black Margate?


    They're a member of the Grunt family, but I've read so many mixed reviews on their edibility. I usually see some up to 10lbs in size and are very tempting to shoot. What say you gents? :confused1:


    Here's a pic:

  • I've said it once, and i'll say it forever. they make darn good nuggets! :thumbsup2: Other than that, i wouldn't know what to do with them...

  • They are a okay fish, I wonder if the unappealing nature to some divers is how dumb and easy they are to shoot? I rarely target them, but if a big one presents itself(over 10lb) it gets taken.
    Chase I see your getting lobster, not my thing lobster, but when you clean them the shell with the bits still in it is snapper(mutton) crack, try that for chum, chum makes a big difference when game is smart... especially for a guy swimming out, chum a good spot on the way out then check it on the way back, or just drop chum and see what happens, if you dont already that is.

    A bad day at sea is better than a good day in the boatyard
    George Steele

  • Black margate meat is VERY gummy. They are good on soup. The taste is not bad. Maybe if you leave the fillets in the refrigerator for one or two days it could get better as the nerves tend to relax with time.


    Muttons like chum very much. We used to spear the first large jack or cuda we found and chum them for muttons. Problem is that sharks like chum too...

    Marco Melis

    A bad day fishing is ALWAYS better than a good day at work.

  • Nearly all of the black margate i see are very nervous. I try to avoid spooking them when im on the reef bc they can be really loud when they flee. I'm no expert on the taste as I've only eaten one and don't really remember. I wouldn't go as far to say the big ones are easy pickens haha.

    Promontorium Tremendum

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