Tough fish

[mems]

Aloha, anyone ever catch one of these? It is a yellow finned surgeon fish or palau in hawaiian. They school up on the reef and are crazy strong. I have hooked them before and this is the first one I have landed. A client did land one before, and I told him I was very proud of the accomplishment. It was released back to the school. You just never know what you will get in salt water. Mems.

[Tony Buzolich]

Don,
That looks like it would be fun on an 8 weight or smaller. Pretty pose with the fins fully erect. I just read that these are primarily algae and small invertebrate feeders, what fly were you using?
Tony

[Darian]

Good looking fish. Kinda looks like an really big, exotic Bluegill....

[mems]

Aloha Tony,small shrimp pattern, white gotcha with rubber legs size 06. Darian, these fish are faster and stronger than a big bonefish. I think he didn't make a longer run into the coral because the school stayed around where I was standing. The blades on the tail will cut you like a scalpel. They say they are poisonous, but I never like find out.

[PaulC]

Hey Don,
One of our guys got one on our trip to CI in November. Cool fish.
I couldn't get one to eat myself, but definitely gave them a few shots with bonefish flies when I ran into them.
-Paul