Fish Facts VII

This fish that looks just like a ladyfish is actually a giant herring (Elops hawaiensis) that was caught in New Caledonia by David Boué-Mandil. Giant herrings belong to a primitive group of fishes called Elopomorpha, which includes eels, tarpon and bonefish. These voracious predators feed on a wide range of prey, sometimes striking at anything that moves. They are explosive light-tackle sport fish — pound for pound, few fish can match a large giant herring for acceleration and aerial ability in the first minute or two after hookup. Unfortunately, they’re poor eating.