If you’ve never fished for ballyhoo I highly recommend the adventure. The first time I went I was in awe of the technique of using Guinea grass to see the fish and to know when to throw the ballyhoo net.
The wind was blowing with about 20-25 knots that morning. I found dad on the porch sipping his coffee and questioned if we’re still going seine. He noted the strong gushes and said I think we should use the windy day to our advantage. Let’s see if we can find a school of ballyhoo that came ashore to duck from the wind.
Dad instructed me to pick a few faggots of grass while he readied the ballyhoo net with new ropes.
Puzzled by the request I reminded him I picked plenty of food for the goats yesterday. Smiling as he acknowledged it’s not for the goats but for the ballyhoo.
Loading the special net with the new ropes we headed to the coves known to have grassy beds.
Pulling into the cove dad slowed down then then cut off the engine. Setting up the oars he rowed to the shoreline.
He instructed me to cut one of the faggots of grass in half. The boat knife was rusty but adequate for the task at hand.
With my long legs I found my balance while standing on the bow. Following the other instructions dad provided I proceeded with tossing a small amount of grass into the air as high as possible in hopes when it cascades down to the water the individual shards of grass are wide spread for that spot. I did this as dad slowly rowed the length of the shoreline.
When we got to the end of the cove dad held the boat there with simple dips and pulls with the oars.
It only took a few minutes for the ballyhoo in the cove to find it. At first it was only a handful but we could clearly see them as they jumped over the grass and slapped it with their tails on the way down in their attempt to sink it and bring it down where they can readily start feasting on it.
Soon the whole bay was a blaze with hundreds then thousands as the school moved into the shore for the grass fest.
While throwing the net it’s fun to watch the silver flashes between the discarded pieces of grass.
A ballyhoo net is light and relatively small compared to the seine. Swimming and working the net is almost like child’s play.
I pulled and swam the arm of the net towards the other end. Meanwhile dad managed the back of the net and kept it raised slightly to make it easier to move it.
It took a couple hours to do all the work and to pull the fish in the boat.
Smiling we fired up the engine and headed to shore with our catch and was already making plans for tomorrow’s adventure.
Very informative. I had never heard of a ballyhoo fish nor feeding them Guinea grass.
Thank you. Ballyhoo fishing is quite the adventure!
What a clever plan! I never knew that fish would want guinea grass. Such great memories with your Dad! I am embarassed to share I don’t know if I have ever eaten ballyhoo or if you do it if you use them for bait?
Ballyhoo is mostly used for bait but many people enjoy eating them too.