Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => The Fish Kitchen => Topic started by: No_way on July 08, 2005, 07:38:12 PM

Title: Sand Lance
Post by: No_way on July 08, 2005, 07:38:12 PM

I tried cooking a sand lance.  Yuck!!

I know people fish them, but how do they eat them?  Or do some people just like that kelpy, boney goodness (sarcasm)?

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: oddjob on July 10, 2005, 02:03:53 PM

what is sand lance ? is it supposed to be eaten ?

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: Roots on July 10, 2005, 02:53:39 PM

Pacific Sand Lance

(http://www.seaotter.com/marine/research/ammodytes/hexapterus/pics/hexapterus.jpg)

Did they taste anything like eel?

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: No_way on July 10, 2005, 03:12:29 PM

Actually, with some further digging I discovered that what I had was something called a "prickleback".  I really don't recommend them.  eeewwww.  And no, pricklebacks do not taste like eel.   Needless to say, one bite and into the trash.

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: oddjob on July 10, 2005, 06:52:19 PM

what made you want to try to eat something like that. are you that desperate for fish?

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: No_way on July 10, 2005, 07:22:03 PM

LOL!!

no, someone suggested that, from a description I gave, I was catching sandlances.  I know people fish for them, I thought I had some, so I tried them out.  The problem is that it wasn't a sand lance.  I didn't know, but know I know what they are and that they are not poison. ;D

And know, I'm not desperate for fish.  I'm a very adventurous eater and always like to try something new.  Some times you hit; some times you miss.  I missed with that one.... BADLY  :P

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on August 26, 2005, 05:53:09 PM

How big were these "prickleback" fish.

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: aquaboy24 on August 30, 2005, 04:20:32 PM

take sandlances, and coat them in flour, and fry them in butter - good

prickleback  -skip it

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: yammy5 on August 31, 2005, 07:18:21 PM

A few years back huge schools of small herring (2.5inches long) came into one of the beaches near my house and big springs were chasing them into shallow water so my Italian friends scooped a couple big buckets of them with butterfly nets.  I dropped by their house later and they were in the process of deep frying them (whole) in beer batter - I was hesitant to try them but they were delicious!  They dipped them in sour cream based dips that were excellent@! 
So I would recommend deep frying whole sandlance in a nice batter until they are kinda crunchy!  And yes we threw a few casts with live bait and landed a 21lb spring that night!

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: No_way on September 03, 2005, 04:23:03 PM

Quote from: THE_ROE_KID on August 26, 2005, 05:53:09 PM

How big were these "prickleback" fish.

The biggest I've caught was about 30 cm X 1.5 cm.  They get to 51cm, and most people call them eels (inncorectly).  I've only ever caught 1 or 2 in the mouth, but dozens foul hooked.  It's my theory that they coil around the bait and eat it, how else could so many get stuck in the side?!

Here's a link to more info:

http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3790

I did find a use for one of them though, a couple chunks caught me my first dogfish!

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: blaydRnr on September 05, 2005, 11:31:52 PM

Quote from: No_way on September 03, 2005, 04:23:03 PM

I did find a use for one of them though, a couple chunks caught me my first dogfish!

so you went from one gross fish to another. nice :-X :P       ;D just kidding 

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on September 10, 2005, 09:20:49 PM

lol, i have caught those before at belcarra

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: joshuag232 on April 13, 2006, 08:03:32 PM

i remeber catching one of those at ambleside and cooking it..tasted like garbage... i think what i got was a "prickleback" cause it had spines on its back    lol

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: Spudcote on May 02, 2006, 06:39:50 PM

Pricklebacks are also sometimes referred to as "snakefish," just to clear that up.

Title: Re: Sand Lance
Post by: demco99 on October 04, 2006, 04:39:40 PM

hey yammy where is your friends house? I'd love to see springs feeding in the shallows like this..