This is a piece from a report I wrote on the thread “Guernsey Summer Fishing.”
Can anyone help out?
“During my search I also saw 2 holed up triggerfish as well as numerous wrasse. Took a couple of big wrasse and then found a bigger triggerfish. All of the triggers were head in the holes, tail out. I’ve seen a few triggers before but always free swimming. Never shot one though as I’ve always thought of them as just a curiosity. However, Ed shot one last year and told me that they were pretty good eating. So shot this larger holed up one. Could not get it out the hole. Could see it but it had wedged itself in. I believe that they erect their main dorsal spine as a defence mechanism. Eventually freed it by brute force, which snapped the spine. Has anyone ever been bitten by a triggerfish? I have – twice. Have you seen their teeth? Ouch! I couldn’t believe how quick it was. It got me twice on the left hand before I finished it off. A two and a half pound triggerfish may not be in the same category as Jaws but it’s got my respect.
Okay so anyone out there able to fill in details on triggers. Culinary qualities? (Haven’t eaten mine yet). British record? Eligible in competitions? Fishing techniques? Frequency of capture? They’re rare here but are increasing in terms of numbers seen each year. Angling publications seen to indicate they’re common on the south coast of England – Chesil Beach region? “
Thanks
Dave
Can anyone help out?
“During my search I also saw 2 holed up triggerfish as well as numerous wrasse. Took a couple of big wrasse and then found a bigger triggerfish. All of the triggers were head in the holes, tail out. I’ve seen a few triggers before but always free swimming. Never shot one though as I’ve always thought of them as just a curiosity. However, Ed shot one last year and told me that they were pretty good eating. So shot this larger holed up one. Could not get it out the hole. Could see it but it had wedged itself in. I believe that they erect their main dorsal spine as a defence mechanism. Eventually freed it by brute force, which snapped the spine. Has anyone ever been bitten by a triggerfish? I have – twice. Have you seen their teeth? Ouch! I couldn’t believe how quick it was. It got me twice on the left hand before I finished it off. A two and a half pound triggerfish may not be in the same category as Jaws but it’s got my respect.
Okay so anyone out there able to fill in details on triggers. Culinary qualities? (Haven’t eaten mine yet). British record? Eligible in competitions? Fishing techniques? Frequency of capture? They’re rare here but are increasing in terms of numbers seen each year. Angling publications seen to indicate they’re common on the south coast of England – Chesil Beach region? “
Thanks
Dave