What is the meaning of "pelagic"?

[Mahigeer]

My basic understanding is that the;

Bonito, mackerel, yellowtail, sardine, anchovies, tuna are called Pelagic.

They come and go from Baja to US.

[kayakfisherman]

Don't forget: Market Squid are considered pelagic.

Does anyone eat those things?

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by kayakfisherman

Don't forget: Market Squid are considered pelagic.

Does anyone eat those things?

I tried cooking a Humboldt squid one year. I thought I would have a freezer full of squid steaks. It was not pleasant so I gave up on that idea.

I have always enjoyed small tender squid, cooked in a variety of ways. Octopus too.

Since DGF, in their infinite wisdom, has defined Market Squid as Coastal Pelagic, do you happen to have any favorite pelagic recipes for these?


EDIT: After dead squid languish in my sun-warmed bait bucket for half a day, they can get pretty nasty. I sometimes marinate those in Butt Juice. To my nose, at least, they smell fresher.
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Cure-Butt.../dp/B0010FVPJ4

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

My basic understanding is that the;

Bonito, mackerel, yellowtail, sardine, anchovies, tuna are called Pelagic.

They come and go from Baja to US.

I've heard pelagic described this way too, by fishermen, as migrating fish vs. local fish that don't migrate.

[Zed]

In school, yellows were "in-shore pelagic" which is as descriptive as "jack mackerel". WSB were not considered pelagic. Tunas marlin swords dorado hoo --fish that are rarely if ever associated w land-- were labeled pelagic.

As long as its spelled out in the regs I dont care what theyre labeled as anymore. A sculpin isnt a sculpin, a wsb isnt a seabass and rock cod and ling cod arent cods. So just rely on dfgs interpretation of the language bite your tongue and fish.

[FullFlavorPike]

I feel like the idea behind "pelagic" fish in the regulations is that they live freely in the water column: nearshore, offshore, or wherever. They aren't tied to any particular structure, be it kelp, rocks, reefs, grass, oil rigs, or whatever. Sure, they might aggregate there, but they are at home wherever. Ergo, a WSB and a YT, despite their different life cycles, share that common ground with bonito, dodos, and even marlin.

[octico]

It's a clothing line


https://www.pelagicgear.com/

[Zed]

^Yeah they make the best gloves Ive used for paddling.

[GregAndrew]

Originally Posted by Zed

In school, yellows were "in-shore pelagic" which is as descriptive as "jack mackerel". WSB were not considered pelagic. Tunas marlin swords dorado hoo --fish that are rarely if ever associated w land-- were labeled pelagic.

As long as its spelled out in the regs I dont care what theyre labeled as anymore. A sculpin isnt a sculpin, a wsb isnt a seabass and rock cod and ling cod arent cods. So just rely on dfgs interpretation of the language bite your tongue and fish.

Could not agree more with the last sentence. Not only that, but you have to know which way the DFG wind is blowing at the moment (because their interpretations will vary). Why WSB would not be considered Pelagic is interesting. As far as I know, there are only 2 other basic habitats, Demersal and Reef. Reef does not seem to fit, since they travel to different areas of structure and will follow schools of bait away from structure. I guess Demersal could fit, depending on how close is "close" to the bottom? The problem is that "Coastal Pelagics" are found in all the same areas? I think I will just call them a Demagic fish.