Monthly Archives: October 2013
Redspot Goatfish ( Parupeneus heptacanthus )
Goatfish caught deep sea fishing in Cebu
Common Name: Goatfish, Cinnabar Goatfish,
Local Name: ?? (Tagalog); Timbungan (Cebuano)
Max Size: 36 cm
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Reef-associated
Depth: 12 – 350 meters
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans
IUCN Red List Status Status: Not Listed
Goatfish are abundant here in Philippine waters and can be caught all over the country at both shallow and deep depths. These fish normally are found in pairs or small groups foraging over sandy, mucky, and rocky bottoms or sea grass. The one pictured above was taken on pealed shrimp bait fishing at around 100m. Goatfish are fairly good to eat though they do have a slightly fishy taste.
Bridled Triggerfish ( Sufflamen fraenatum )
Deep Sea Triggerfish caught in Cebu
Common Name: Triggerfish
Local Name: Papakol (Tagalog); Pakol (Bisaya)
Max Size: 38 cm (commonly 26 cm)
Biodiversity: Marine, Reef-Associated, Oceanodromous,
Depth: 8-186 meters
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans, sandworms
IUCN Red List Status Status: Least Concern
Here is a fish caught deep sea fishing in Cebu on shrimp. This was caught at around 100-150m of depth. These odd looking fish put up quite a fight and make up for their usually small size. These fish do not appear to be good to eat however they do taste quite good once you get through their leathery thick skin. Be careful of the mouth on these little guys which is small but armed with shell crushing teeth. Triggerfish are known in the scuba diving community to occasionally bite divers.
Large-Eye Bream ( Gymnocranius elongatus )
Deep Sea Fishing Cebu
Common Name: Bream, Seabream, Swallowtail Bream, Emperor, Large-Eye Emperor
Local Name: (Tagalog); Katambak Sa Laud (Cebuano)
Max Size: 35cm
Biodiversity: Marine, Demersal (bottom dwelling)
Depth: 50 – 100+ meters
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans
IUCN Red List Status Status: Not Listed
These are generally a deeper water species that can be found along sandy or rocky bottoms. They can be found in small schools or solitary. They feed on the bottom mainly on invertebrates. These fish have a delicious white flesh similar to other emperor species and snappers which makes them excellent table fare. The fish pictured above was caught in around 100m of water while deep sea fishing in Cebu.
Good Sized Large-Eye Emperor
750g Bigeye Emperor
Threespot Squirrelfish ( Sargocentron cornutum )
Squirrelfish caught night fishing on shrimp
Common Name: Squirrelfish
Local Name: Sigang Batohan, Ganteng (Tagalog); Ganting, Baga, Baga-baga (Cebuano)
Max Size: 27cm
Biodiversity: Marine, Reef Associated, Brackish
Depth: 1 – 40 m
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans
These small fish are known for hiding most of the day under rocks and edges and coming out at night to feed on small crustaceans. They are easiest to catch at night and provide a good little fight. They make a fair food fish and are said to taste delicious here in Cebu when cooked as Inun-unan. These little guys are armed with venomous spines so care must be taken when removing them from your hooks. I came across the fish in the picture above while night fishing from a seawall here in Cebu. We were using small shrimp for bait.
Fishing The Philippines 