Corpusfishing.com

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

A good friend of mine was invited a couple weeks ago on an overnighter to a floater in over 7000 feet of water. They caught the usual things one would expect from a trip of this kind, Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna. If anyone has ever fished with "Fast Action Mike" you would know he is always after anything that will bite. Well during their night fishing around the rig he caught a fish I have never heard of before, a "Lancet Fish." I have a picture Mike sent me but if you do a search of a picture of a Lancet fish you will get a better idea of what one looks like. Either way here are a couple pictures of their trip.

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

I think this particular rig is called "Perdillo." Not sure of the spelling or if I even got the name correct. I do believe this one is very close to Mexican waters and in 7600' of water.

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

Now for the reason for this post, Mike's "Lancet" fish.

ironmanstan · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:36 am Post subject:

First thing it reminds me of is a Ribbonfish. Very Happy

_________________
I LIKE MINE FRIED.

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

"Lancet Fish" can reach up to 6' according to what I have read. It is reported that eating one can be a aphrodesiac. With that being said I decided to give this one a try. I was very careful while fileting because their were no scales on the skin but instead a thin layer of tiny bones. Very unusual. I tried several small chunks "FRIED" and I will gladly report all the information on this fish was correct. Wink

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

shallowsport · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 7:32 am Post subject:

Agree with IMS, at first glance, makes you think ribbonfish. Upon checking images the daggum thing looks prehistoric. Some mighty interesting creatures lurking in them seas.
Thanks for the lesson/

deputydawg · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 8:34 am Post subject:

Crazy looking little dude!!! It always amazes me the different types of fish that are out there.

Central Scrutinizer · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 8:42 am Post subject:

I would say that your unusual catch is a Snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens), rather than a Lancetfish. Reason being is your fish lacks an adipose fin (small fleshy dorsal fin that lacks any spines or rays), has rather small pectoral fins, and has a series of finlets that follow the soft dorsal and anal fins.

Never heard the rumors about the flesh properties of a Lancetfish, but I'm glad you enjoyed your catch. Funny thing about the Snake mackerel is that they are from the same Family as the offensive X-Lax fish (Oilfish or escolar) Shocked

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

gulftrout · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1629

I did a picture search and I believe you are correct in your conclusion. I did not see the fish alive, but I did notice the backfin sail was smaller than the ones pictured on the internet. Thanks for clearing up our mistake. You definatly know your stuff Mr. Central Scrutinizer. Smile

Central Scrutinizer · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for the "tip of the 'ol chapeau". I do what I can to add some factual info to the conversations here on the site.

I tried to do a search of some older forum posts, because I know that I've commented on the Lancetfish once before. Didn't find the one I was thinking of, but there is a taxidermy mount of one at the Marine Lab of UT-Pan Am and the first time I saw it, I honestly thought it was someones idea of a joke. They literally look like a mash-up of the head of a ribbonfish, the body of a sailfish, and the tail of a tuna. But they are for real and they do get LARGE. And talk about some wicked teeth in its head!!!