Octopus dofleini

[Abalone]

Over the VHS I heard someone say they caught an Octopus at the Rock Pile and were asking advise about
what to do with it. No doubt it was an exciting and fun moment on the boat.

I am not trying to pass judgement or anything like that and what you did with it was Ok by me But:

If you have ever had an encounter with one of these Wonderful creatures as I have while diving you will understand why I feel the way I do about killing one. These are very aware if not intelligent creatures.
They seem to have an awareness that is almost human like. I consider meeting one like meeting another person or at least an animal of a higher intelligents than a dog or a cat. More like a crow.
I always think that if I could go inside the mind of another creature I would want to see the Ocean as an Octopus. I would personally never kill one but that's your Purogative to so and I won't judge you.

That being said: I don't know how you cook that dang things. I have heard you really have to know what you are doing as the meat is really tough and then only tastle like clams.
In Canada at least they are considered the best Halibut bait but I think that's because they stay on the hook really good.

So when is the Funeral ?

I think I was an Octopus in another life..............or was that an Abalone.

:laugh: :dance: :laugh:

[FishFood]

I have cooked many an octopus, and when done right they are fantastic. In Monterey CA at the docks they sell cups of octopus salad, which is chunks of octopus with yellow and red peppers and red onion marinated in vinaigrette.

To cook octopus to perfect consistency you really need a pressure cooker and you have to time it right, which depends on the size and thickness of the octopus. You may also have to stop the cooker and check occasionally. I find for a medium octopus you need about 40 minutes. Cut up the octopus and put it on a steamer insert, not directly in the water.

Pressure cooked properly, the octopus will have the consistency of good new york strip steak, and I find the flavor excellent (octopi feed on clams and other mollusks, and taste like them).

As to intelligence and personality, I'm quite fond of octopi, and they are quite intelligent--the smartest creature in the ocean apart from whales and seals. There was an experiment done where an octopus was able to figure out how to unscrew a jar to get at a crab inside. There was another situation where some researchers had a tank filled with crabs. Every morning they would find a crab dead and dismembered, and couldn't figure out what was going on, so they taped the lab. An octopus from another tank about ten feet away would squeeze itself out of its tank through a small hole, traverse the distance between the two tanks, eat the crab and always be back in its tank before the researchers returned in the morning.

So, they are quite smart, but having said that, pigs are hundreds of times smarter than octopi and very sweet critters and we kill them by the millions.

So, I don't worry too much about eating octopi, but I can certainly understand why someone (particularly a diver) would feel otherwise.

[Nalu]

As another diver, I completely agree with Abalone. Again, this is from an interactive perspective. Octo's are quite amazing creatures, and I would never have the heart to kill one after all of the encounters I've had.

Alas, they do taste good, and a good tako poki done right is pretty darn tasty. I'd say if you don't know how to prep it right, or you in any way appreciate this beautiful creature for other than dinner, let it go.

Next on the list of favorite sea creatures to interact with are Wolf Eels. The Black Lab of the sea. They may look ugly to some, but they are also very interesting creatures. They mate for life, and share a den that they tend their eggs in. I've fed clams to these big puppy dogs by hand, and have had them wrapped around me while I scratched under their chin. Though their outward appearance is not particularly friendly, underwater they are pretty much softies. We are overjoyed each time we get to coax one out of its den for some playful fun.

Again, I am not down on anyone for retaining either an octo or a wolfie for consumption. The fact that these guys are "cute" doesn't equate to them not being a viable and tasty food source.

That being said, these guys aren't even close to the same as a halibut, a salmon, or a lingcod. I treasure an Octo or a Wolf Eel much like the porpoise, dolphins, and whales I am fortunate to encouter on the surface. But with these guys, I get to do it face to face, in THEIR home.

[Half fast Toyn]

I caught an octopus out of Newport...release unharmed after a short photo session.

Mike

[Nalu]

I caught an octopus out of Newport...release unharmed after a short photo session.

Mike



:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
I have to say I've cringed when reading about people cutting Octos up for halibut bait. They're just such incredible creatures.

[KrystalFlash]

Two years ago, my father caught a LARGE octopus out at the chicken ranch. It was probably around 5-6' tentacle to tentacle. We released it promptly after a short discussion on what we should do with it... Being a registered diver myself, I agree with the release unharmed point of view... :dance:

-Team DoubleGaynor
-Team Brownpants
- I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Good!

[Threemuch]

I am a diver and I think octopus are neat, but they are also tasty vittles and good bait. I wouldn't hesitate to kill one. I would do it as humanely as possible and utilize the creature to the fullest extent possible, but hey, they're part of the food chain and we are at the top. I wouldn't have it any other way.

The pig analogy above is a good one. I doubt that the octopus feels any remorse for the crab or lobster he dismembers and devours alive. And don't think an octopus wouldn't eat you and everyone you love if he had half the chance. They are hardcore predators.

I must admit, it's tough to bite em between those eyes or turn em inside out at the moment of truth. But I would still do it. To each his own, and I respect that some of you guys wouldn't want to kill one, and are willing to state it on a board so loaded with bloodlust.

[corrirod]

The pig analogy is good but the Bambi one would probably be better. I respect both sides of the issue and believe that if you "do" take the animal's life you need to utilize it completely for bait or consumption, not just to kill it.

For the record, I personally would keep it. :shrug:

[FishFood]

Glad you mentioned porpoises and other whales. I would never be willing to hunt or eat the meat of whales or porpoises. Likewise with chimpanzees, gorillas and elephants.

The cut-off point for me is what's referred to by some philosophers as "conceptual self-aware consciousness". It's the level where the animal is capable of comprehending itself as an independent being similar to others and capable of self-reflection. All the above animals are capable of this, so to me they on a level similar to human beings and deserve similar treatment (thought not equal).

I have a kind of sliding scale of value vs. mental sophistication, so I wouldn't kill any animal for no reason, wouldn't kill an animal by a method that would cause it excessive suffering, unless it was necessary for some great purpose (such as testing important medicines), etc.

I don't think I would kill a mature octopus for bait, unless it were superior bait for a superior fish--it's not worth it to me. I would use baby octopus, because they haven't developed a more sophisticated personality yet.

Over-all I like the Inuit view. I value and respect you, animal, while I kill and eat you.

[FishFood]

Yeah my wife's comment is "If you're going to kill Bambi or Thumper, just don't tell me about it". :smash: :shrug:

She was also present on a Baja trip when I caught a striped marlin. As it was brought to the boat she said "It looks scared!" :bigshock:

I thought it looked like it would like to get us all down in its territory for a few minutes--it looked royally PO'd. :laugh:

[Nalu]

Over-all I like the Inuit view. I value and respect you, animal, while I kill and eat you.



I like that. I can still eat octo, such as in good poki, just don't have the temperment to kill one anymore.

There was an octo in Seattle that the local divers named "Olive". The dive community was fortunate to visit her den from the time she laid her eggs, until they hatched. Some even got photos just as the small octos started hatching. Then all watched as Olive perished, for female octos stop eating and guard their den from predators full time once they lay their eggs. This is a several month process, and is the last thing they do before they die.

So octos like pigs? Maybe, but not really a good comparison. Octos learn behavior that allows them to hunt, and can independently come up with ideas to solve problems.

Again--My opinion only. I certainly wouldn't try to tell someone they shouldn't harvest as long as they were going to put it to good use.

[Badger]

I'd keep a small octopi and use it for bait, probably only on an open halibut day though. Wouldn't keep it for personal consumption until I taste it first and have a better idea of how to prepare properly. Then I might give one a try.

Same for the others, sorry pigs, cows, bambi and Tuners... what they'd give to be at the top of the food chain. :smash: :smash:

Good thread, interesting to learn more about these cool creatures from below. May have to learn to dive. :yay:

[Half fast Toyn]

I have a hard time using an animal solely for bait. This includes shad. I bet the boats I was fishing next to at the shad rack thought I was crazy as we argued who was going to grab the dancing rod. Then hap-hazardly reeled in the shad, and then, if we were unlucky enough to actually get it all the way to the boat, unhook it without removing it from the water or using a net.

I guess its the same reason I dont kill coyotes. I shot one when I was like 16, and then not wanting to waste the animal, decided to skin it. Its remarkable how much the coyote resembles its cousin, the dog. I gagged through skinning that coyote because it reminded me so much of my dog. Havent killed one since.

Mike

[FishFood]

Okay, now you gotta tell me what tako poki is. Is that Japanese, Hawaiian? Just the sound of it is tasty.

[FishFood]

Now see if there were an animal that was becoming over-populated and a pest, and not to high up in the intelligence thing, I'd probably kill it without pangs of conscience and not needing to use it. Coyote would fall into that category for me under certain conditions. I'd also place sea coyotes in that category, although I'd like to see how tasty they are.

[FishFood]

Actually baby octopi are delicious. You can get big vacuum packed flats of them at Asian groceries. And not only are they delicious, they make great bait. You'll find many a lingcod with baby octopus in its belly.

[Nalu]

Tako poki is octopus salad. Small chunks of blanched octopus or tentacle (both is best), chopped onions, ginger, roasted sesame seeds, seaweed, ogo, shoyu, and a couple of other things.

A little market in upper Wailuku around the corner from my apartment used to make the best! A little tako poki, a spam musubi, and some boiled peanuts. Mmmmm...

So see, I can't say it's not tasty, just that I couldn't personally kill a Giant Pacific Octopus. A medium to large, 30 lb octo would be difficult to completely consume fresh, and the meat doesn't freeze well.

Odd as it sounds, eat the babies!!

[FishFood]

Thanks for the recipe! (we need a :yum: symbol on this board) I'll have to try it (love fresh ginger)

And I agree--eat the babies!

I also love small squid--we'd go out in southern cal with a tank full of live squid and take home whatever wasn't used for bait. Fresh stuffed squid a la manicotti grilled on the BBQ--man that's good.

Also, with fried squid--the tentacles are the best part, IMHO :bigshock:

[Riverliver]

Octopus as squid has a either cook it for one minute or one hour rule! If you don't follow the rule it's tough as nails.

[FishFood]

Right you are!!! And there's nothing worse than super-chewy cephalopod--like eating erasers!

[Bendman]

What’s considered a “big” octopus? :shrug: I caught one at the pile on Saturday that measured 10’ from tentacle to tentacle . I’m 5’11 and when I put my hand in it’s globe I could reach as high as I could and his tentacles still touched the ground. I have pictures but not on my digital camera. When I get them developed I will scan them. Is that a big one or just normal?

[FishFood]

That's just a little one! :jester:

[Keta]

Octopus are intersting and intelegent critters but they don't live all that long, 3-1/2 to 4 years, so size doesn't really matter. If I am going to kill an octopus it will be for ME to eat, NOT BAIT!

Octopus (Pulpa) Ceviche, Yummmmmm!!!!

Bendman,
A LARGE North Pacific Octopus (Octopus dofleini) will run over 30'.

http://www.marinelab.sarasota.fl.us/OCTOPI.HTM

http://marine.alaskapacific.edu/octopus/
http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/marine_wildlife/octopus.asp

[stick flicker]

We killed one last weekend to eat and use for bait. It was 10' across. This is the first one I have successfully boated. All I can say is net, and don't let them get ahold of the boat :smash:.

It tasted like rubber erasers to me and, I won't be keeping another unless I need more bait :eek:. Even in that case I really like herring for bait instead.

I did keep a four foot blue shark and cared for it properly the results were it tasted good :applause:. The only thing I thought detracted from it was the high moisture content of the meat, its a bit mushy. Taste is superb though and I will be eating it again :cheers:. Its defintely better than blackcod.

[Riverliver]

mmmmmm Tako Poki There is a little store in Wakiloa Village that just rocks.. there isn't a day go by that I don't wish I was there.
Greg

[Bendman]

Keta, Interesting you should say ceviche . That’s the first thing I thought of when I caught it. Not may people know what that is. I’m going to make some tomorrow. :dance: :dance:

[Badger]

Keta, Interesting you should say ceviche . That’s the first thing I thought of when I caught it. Not may people know what that is. I’m going to make some tomorrow. :dance: :dance:



I'll bite, what's "ceviche" without having to do a google search? I'm part of the never heard of it before group. :whazzup: :whazzup:

[Riverliver]

If you will excuse my spelling and grammar..

Ceviche
tomato’s diced one large
onions finely minced one half large sweet onion
cilantro finely chopped good handfull
hot peppers finely minced (With out seeds n membrane)
fresh fish cubed about 1/4' inch cubes about a pound

Cover the cubed fish (Normally cod in Mexico) in fresh lime juice for two hours. Drain juice but don't toss it yet. add veggie's salt n pepper and lime juice to taste. Cover and chill for about three hours... Service with crackers or chips.... mmmmm good

Shrimp works well too

Wile Im at it

Mexican Shrimp cocktail or Seafood Cocktail

Boil shrimp heads and shells in all.. If your shrimp doesn’t have the heads on don’t clean them until after there cooked.
tomato’s diced half or a large
onions finely minced one quater large sweet onion
cilantro finely chopped good handfull
hot peppers finely minced (With out seeds n membrane)
fresh lime juice
ketchup

Boil shrimp in 3 quarts water, 4 cloves garlic, 1 cayenne pepper, 1 lemon squeezed. In addition, a handful of cilantro stems. Boil the shrimp until they just turn pink then remove from water. Peel the shrimp and chill.. Place shells back into pot and simmer for 30 minutes on low.. Strain and add ¾ cup ketchup mix well and chill.. The idea is to make a shrimp or seafood broth with a color of ketchup..

At time of service
In a large Ice cream Sunday dish
1 small squirt of ketchup in the bottom then add half full with shrimp (Or other Seafood parts Octopus works well as do clams and chunks of fish). Then add in the ¼ of the veggies more shrimp until glass is full mix top shrimp with veggies then cover with broth.. Squeeze ¼ lemon over the top..

Serve chilled with crackers and chip

Add cold beer as needed

[Bendman]

Riverliver, “shrimp works well too” . Didn’t you mean camarones ?? :jester:
:smirk: :smirk:

[Keta]

Camarones y pulpa ceviche. Yummmmmm!!!!!

[FishGitter]

We hooked an Octopi on our first drift Saturday along with a Skate. It looked to be about 8'-9'. He was barely skin hooked in one arm and we were able to release it with no problems. A few minutes later we hear stick flicker with the same type of catch. I also see that there were several other Octopus were caught. Is it unusual to have so many caught in one day? :whazzup:

[Puffin]

There is no commercial harvest of octopus in these waters as far as I know. Harvest away and utilize fully.

[FishFood]

You got it just right on the recipe--perfect. The best I've ever had was made from the fish just caught and immediately put into the lime. It was yellowtail in Loreto in the Sea of Cortez. There's nothing like the freshness of the fish plus the bite of the lime and the crunch of the onions and richness of tomatoes (well okay there's the buzz of the tequila too) :smirk: