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Bonito fish are cousins of the tuna fish, and they are often referred to as trash fish because they are most commonly used as bait, despite being a fierce predator in the wild.
They aren’t as common as food, but some people find them absolutely delicious. Bonito fish are completely safe to eat, and as we’ve said, some people find them delicious.
However, these fish have a potent and harsh flavor, as well as an oily texture, so not everybody finds them appealing, and whether they are nice or not depends completely on every individual’s preference.
Because of their unique and “different” flavor, it is very common for people to question, time and time again, whether they are actually safe to eat or not. We will reiterate that they are completely safe to eat, and you might really enjoy them!
What is a Bonita?
Bonito fish aren’t exactly a popular or well-known dish, so you may have never heard of them before. That’s why it makes sense for us to start with the very basics and explain exactly what bonito fish are.
Basically, bonito fish belong to the Scombridae family, and they are cousins to better-known fish such as mackerel and tuna. They only live in salt water and are not very common as food, which is why you’ve probably never heard of them at any markets!
They distinguish themselves from other fish with their distinctive texture and taste, and fishermen typically use them as bait. Bonito means “pretty” in Spanish, but these fish aren’t exactly considered to be appealing. In fact, their nickname is “trash fish,” which is kind of mean!
There are a few traits that set the bonito fish apart from all the rest, and you can look out for them in order to identify them. They are here:
- They are ray-finned. Bonito fish have rays on the tips of their fins, which in the wild serve them to guard themselves as well as to intimidate other species. They are, after all, predators!
- They have a very aggressive nature and are known as some of the fiercest predators. They are hard to catch and are known to start fights with other fish!
- They are oval in shape, which helps them swim better.
- They eat other fish, mainly sardines.
- Bonito fish are known for swimming very long distances, so they have a lot of endurance! This implies that if you engage in a tug-of-war with them, they will maintain their strength and endurance for an extended period.
- They usually swim in large schools, as they are very social amongst their own kind.
- Usually, you can find them close to the shore.
However, despite having some unique traits and personalities that should easily set them apart, it is actually very easy to accidentally confuse a bonito fish with a tuna. Most beginners do!
Although bonito fish are unique in their species, their age and region categorize them.
Here are the main categories, or types, of bonito fish:
- Old Bonito fish have very dark, firm meat with a moderate fat content.
- Young Bonito fish are smaller in size, with pink, light meat and barely any fat content.
- Regional bonito fish are either Atlantic or Australian, and this depends on the region in which they are located.
How to Catch Bonito Fish
If you’re interested in trying your hand at catching your own bonito fish, there are a few different methods you can try:
Trolling
Trolling is the best method if you are trying to catch as many Bonito fish as possible in one go, like when you are bulk fishing.
Basically, you use a long net and drag it across the ocean floor, collecting as many schools of bonito fish as you can. Fishermen use this method to sell the bonito fish to the market.
Line Fishing
Essentially, line fishing involves laying a line in the water and waiting for the fish to snag it.
As a general rule, we recommend that you use a line between 4 and 8 pounds, as these will get you the most bonito fish!
Fishing Rod
Using a fishing rod is the good old classic fishing method; it is simple and straightforward. However, it requires technique and a lot of patience.
You will ideally need a rod that is sturdy and strong, as bonito fish can put up quite the fight! Oh, and if you’re planning to try catching some bonito fish, here are some tips we have that might come in really handy:
- Try frozen bait! Bonito fish love it!
- We recommend sardines or pilchards for live bait because Bonito fish prefer them.
- While you are fishing, combine placing the bait at the bottom of the water with having it floating around so that you can tempt as many Bonito fish as possible!
What Does Bonito Fish Taste Like?
Okay, so bonito fish are most definitely not popular in the kitchen, and most people do not like their unique taste and texture. They are completely safe to eat, and some people actually consider them a delicacy!
To put it simply, bonito fish is a bit of a mixture between tuna and mackerel. The flesh of the Bonito fish is not quite as dense as tuna, and it has a lot more oil. It has a potent flavor, so it goes well in Balkan and Spanish cuisine.
However, the taste varies a little depending on the bonito in question. Smaller bonito fish are lighter in taste and color. As they age, bonitos accumulate more fat and become significantly heavier.
Some people dislike the strong taste of the bonito fish, but others consider it to be delicious. Generally, people believe that grilling enhances its flavor.
Some regions, such as Turkey and the Balkans, preserve bonito fish and serve it as a snack with red onions! These cultures view bonito fish as a delectable meal!
At the end of the day, some will like bonito fish, and some won’t. You will never know exactly what it tastes like until you try it. So why not try and cook some bonito fish yourself to give it a go?
How to Cook Bonito Fish
You can cook bonito fish in a variety of ways if you’ve decided to brave its unique taste. Here are the main cooking methods you can use to prepare a meal with bonito fish.
Grilling
Generally speaking, grilling is considered the best method for cooking bonito fish because it yields the best results and flavor.
In order to grill a bonito fish, you first have to clean it and remove all of the skin and guts. Next, cut it into small slices and season them with oregano, salt, and garlic.
You should then allow the bonito fish slices to marinate for approximately an hour. Then, grill for about an hour, and serve with whatever other ingredients you would like to add!
Baking
Baking is another popular method of cooking bonito fish. In order to do so, you must first clean the bonito and then cut it into large pieces.
We recommend adding some lemon juice, olive oil, pepper, and salt. Then, preheat the oven to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake the fish for about 10 minutes or so.
The result should be a delicious, crisp bonito fish meal in which you can fully enjoy its strong taste.
Frying
Frying is a pretty straightforward and simple method of cooking bonito fish. You can go about it as you would with any other type of fish: just clean, remove the skin and the gut, season to your personal preferences, and fry for a few minutes.
If you want to truly experiment with cooking bonito fish, we recommend looking up some recipes, as there are plenty available online from many different countries and cultures that will mix different flavors and ingredients with the bonito fish to create a unique dish.
Usually, they say that bonito fish is either something you like or don’t like, and you should know where you stand from the very first bite. However, we suggest experimenting with different preparations and pairings of bonito fish before deciding to give it up.
Wrap-Up
In terms of whether bonito fish are good to eat or not, we answer that it depends on your personal preference.
They are 100% safe to eat and can be cooked and prepared in many different ways, but they have a very strong and unique flavor that isn’t appealing to all.
So while most find them to be unappealing, making them very uncommon as a dish, others find the bonito fish to be a delicacy that can be served and enjoyed in many different ways!
When it comes to catching bonito fish, there are numerous methods available. However, it’s important to note that these fish are aggressive and fierce, often putting up a fight. The best way to entice them is by using sardines.
