Also known as false Albacore and little Tuna. Bear in mind I never hook and line so the only fish I get is spearfishing. I've been wanting to shoot this bonito for a while now because I find it very challenging, they appear fast out of nowhere, always zooming around like bullets and never stop moving.
Yesterday up north with Rolo, Emil and Alan I managed to shoot this one. It was a long shot as the fish was on the move away from me and I was kicking hard to catch up. I hit it just above the tail and it took off fast but it was a holding shot. I was concerned about the fish shaking the spear and played it gently. When it came within sight out of the blue from my left side came Emil with a solid backup shot, good call.
Later on the boat I was lightly made fun of because as it turns out bonito is not valued as a food fish. I never knew this because I never caught one. At worst I thought it will be dog food. I was proud of the shot and thought it was a beautiful fish. It's the closest I got to shooting something tuna like. I think the fish went around 8-9lb.
It's really built like a bullet. Check out this pic where you can see that the pectoral fin has a cavity behind it. When held flat against the body the fin fits exactly into this cavity and fish becomes super streamlined.
As promised the meat of the bonito is red like red wine.
I was also told that it tastes bad. I cooked a few small portions in different ways. The best way turned out to be to lightly season the small fillets and fry. The color change from wine red to gray reminded me of the cooking characteristics of liver, I bet it will be great with sauteed onions. The red meat although reminiscent of the very fishy tasting lateral line in most fish does not taste fishy at all. The texture and complete lack of fishy taste make it almost like eating some kind of land meat. I'm really sensitive to the fishy taste, I don't like it, and the bonito didn't have it.
I served my wife some and she said "que rico, es como si fuera carne" and asked what it's called. I mispronounced it and called it bonita which sealed the deal The bonito is not a big target for me but I think if I get a chance I will shoot another in the future. I have a preference for feeding my dog red fish meat anyways.