SECRETS For Catching & Cooking DELICIOUS Garfish!

Garfish may be small, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers... and flavour! Come out fishing with me and I'll show you exactly how to catch, clean and cook these tasty little fish!
For those interested in the polarised sunglasses I choose to wear, after trying lots of brands I've been a MAKO man for many years now. The models I wore in this video were MAKO's G3H6 lenses in their Blade frames.
As for tackle, I was using an old Shimano JDM Soare ultra light spin rod and a Shimano Vanford 1000 spin reel spooled with light braid, plus a 4 pound Ocea FC leader. Those rods aren't available in Oz, but any of Shimano's longer (7 to 8 foot) ultra-light spin rods will do the job very nicely.
By the way, if you're looking for an affordable vacuum sealing machine like the one I used, I found what looks like a good one here on Amazon Australia: amzn.to/3xg4N9S
(Please note that I may receive a small affiliate fee if you use that link to buy something.)
Finally, if you love this video and my channel, please consider shouting me a beer (or a coffee!) to help me produce lots MORE great KZbin content for your viewing pleasure! Simply go to: www.buymeacoffee.com/starlo
Thanks... and cheers!
00:01 Catching garfish
06:00 The rig
07:42 Ice slurry
09:40 Cleaning garfish
20:10 Different strokes
20:58 Cooking garfish

[@StarloGetsReel]

For those interested in the polarised sunglasses I choose to wear, after trying lots of brands I've been a MAKO man for many years now. The models I wore in this video were MAKO's G3H6 lenses in their Blade frames. As for tackle, I was using an old Shimano JDM Soare ultra light spin rod and a Shimano Vanford 1000 spin reel spooled with light braid, plus a 4 pound Ocea FC leader. Those rods aren't available in Oz, but any of Shimano's longer (7 to 8 foot) ultra-light spin rods will do the job very nicely. By the way, if you're looking for an affordable vacuum sealing machine like the one I used, I found what looks like a pretty good one here on Amazon Australia: amzn.to/3xg4N9S (Please note that I may receive a small affiliate fee if you use that link to buy something.) Finally, if you love this video and my channel, please consider shouting me a beer (or a coffee!) to help me produce lots MORE great KZbin content for your viewing pleasure! Simply go to: www.buymeacoffee.com/starlo Thanks... and cheers!

[@AndrewFishman]

Love my Makos, Got a pair of Pluggers in about 2000ish, they got replaced under warranty for a pair of Plugger 2 when the frame broke, which I need to replace the screw for the arm. I also have a pair of Blades, needs a lens replaced though. At the moment I am using Costa amber lens and they are not in the same class.

[@craigparker4108]

I use the Mako G3SX, The leather sidings block out all sun & come with a hard & soft case, lanyard & 2 sets of arms. Really light & comfortable, the best I've had so far.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@craigparker4108 nice! I need to check those out. You don’t find the leather side shields make them fog up a bit.

[@craigparker4108]

@@StarloGetsReel No they don't fog up surprisingly, maybe it's the coated lenses i don't know they just work great.

[@rachels209]

Hi Starlo. I’m old enough to remember you in ‘Going for Gold’. Like you, I don’t need a life of drag tearing / sudden death fishing, but am partial to a few garfish trips per year. One of my family favourites is garfish fillets cooked the same way but in 1 part ground Parmisean cheese / 2 parts elcheapo breadcrumbs. I have witnessed young kids polish off the cooked fillets from the paper towels and ignor the chips right beside them. Chuck a few of those fillets on a homemade bread roll with a bit of grated carrot n Tatare sauce. Yumm.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds awesome! I’ll try it. 👍

[@stevepatterson6297]

The second cleaning method.. butterfly filleting. How I've prepped my garfish for forty five years and works for me. 😊 I head them first, butterfly, then run the knife just under the backbone. But any way you clean them, garfish are delicious and underated.

[@timcheeseman2956]

Garfish are so much fun - the mini marlin! Great way to get kids into fishing too. They're also a lot of fun on fly, sight fishing them in glassy conditions is a very enjoyable experience

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure!

[@chrisdoran7596]

Congrats Steve 1️⃣9️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ subs. The channel is going ahead in leaps and bounds with the variety of fishing content on display.😃🎣🤙

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you so much! Please spread the word and tell your mates... I'm sweating on that 20K milestone!

[@mitchmcbride6053]

I absolutely love float fishing it’s so fun and very visual

[@StarloGetsReel]

It really is!

[@travfoley]

Thanks Steve, it’s great to have you back. Your advice and fishing methods have always been something special.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks for that! 👍

[@franksammut168]

Lemon wedges is also great for cleaning the black stomach lining of garfish. Nice flavour it adds also, great video, keep up the great work.

[@StarloGetsReel]

What a great idea! 👍

[@anthonycox1870]

Great video Starlo, hungry now, I fished for over 30 years winding my reel with my dominant right hand, but broke my left shoulder, about two years ago, and couldn't work the rod properly with my left arm, so changed over to winding with my left hand, it only took about a week or two, for it to feel natural, and i have much more control when twitching and working the rod, and my reaction time is better with my dominant arm, and it also makes casting heaps easier, thanks for all the great tips and advice, much appreciated champion,

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff! Thank YOU!

[@ryantweddle3167]

Love panko' ing lots of my seafood including squid 👌. My wife buys big bags at the oriental shop and we keep it in a large storage container. Seen and caught some huge garfish here in Perth but one type is protected so we don't usually bother targeting them in fear of keeping the illegal ones. Demersal ban lifts tonight and weather is good for heading out for some Dhufish, Breaksea cod, Baldchin groper etc🤘. Wish me luck 🙂

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hope you smash ‘em! Tight lines.

[@franksaunders6534]

Great video, Steve! Have never specifically targeted them but big breakwall sea gar are on my list of future fish to target. Even had a local float maker make me up 20 cedar and pine pencil floats ready for the job. P.S. Hope you shared some offcuts with your assistant!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Ooh, nice! Yep, assistant does well!

[@pigsandapples]

Thanks Steve - I'm on the same page with you on a lot of stuff, especially about not wasting anything of a fish killed for food or bait. Also the joys of float fishing: whether it's the South Coast yellow eye mullet (best fighter pound for pound imo, and delicious) on small bread baits, or luderick on weed or cabbage, pigs on bread etc etc

[@StarloGetsReel]

Agreed. I need to do a mullet video, I reckon.

[@timeandattendancecolutions]

Thanks Steve, I am going to try the rolling method. I wasn't expecting a bonus knife accident, though!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Neither was I! ;)

[@shanedowley2397]

Now Starlo was it your special source from the finger that made them taste so good As a kid I grew up in Wynnum that’s a suburb of Brisbane on the south side we use to catch gar and yes they are nice to eat Another was is to put them in a blender and make a mince and make fish cakes Well done mate Cheers

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@robbiefishing]

That was fantastic Steve. As you would say, this video "ticked all the right boxes". I loved the part about rigid thinking. Haha Every single time I face the knife towards myself i cop it in the commemts. I really enjoyed this top notch video. Well done. 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you. 🙏

[@DamienE11]

I never thought of keeping the guts and frames for berley, that's a great idea! Avoids a stinky garbage bin from when they start rotting too

[@StarloGetsReel]

Exactly!

[@jarrodsorensen2270]

The humble Gar was one of the defining moments in the start of my fishing experiences as a very young grom. Great story behind it too but not enough time to tell. All the best Starlo!🙌🎣 great stuff!

[@StarloGetsReel]

👍

[@gilomonster6020]

Starlo DNA flavoured garfish = delicious😄

[@StarloGetsReel]

🤣

[@scottwinsor3594]

Great video Starlo. I always enjoy watching them. You’ve inspired me to give garfish a go.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad to hear it!

[@LachlanPC]

If you want a good challenge they're great fun to stalk on fly if there's bigger ones cruising round on top. A size 12-16 maggot or bread fly does well. When the aerobatics start it's like fighting a mini marlin and a real challenge to keep them hooked

[@StarloGetsReel]

Spot on. I’ve done that and it’s heaps of fun!

[@davidgc4396]

Good one Starlo. Probably in my top 3 eating fish I think it’s probably number 1. Very underrated eating fish. I just dust them in flour and cook them with the backbone in. It pulls out easily after cooking in olive oil and a little butter. No wonder fish love eating them. I got 3 queenies yesterday morning all on live garfish 😊

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!

[@davidgc4396]

@@StarloGetsReel Made sashimi and numus and fried some were lovely fresh

[@tacklecraft1971]

Great video Starlo, always love watch your fishing adventures for a long time. Hope Bushy is doing well. Keepem coming, one of the best ambassadors in this majestic sport. 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks, will do!

[@timdevries7350]

G'day Starlo. Great vid. I started fishing on a creek on our farm with a float for eels. Your right it is totally addictive watching the float! Here in tas I always look forward to the winter gars! My favourite bait is raw chicken skin! Sometimes get upto 5 or 6 on the one piece of bait! Keep up the great work! Always like to see a new vid from you show up!👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice! I’d love a session on those big Tassie winter gar. They’d be almost enough to get me down there in winter……. Almost! 🤣

[@colindyer4810]

Ya a bloody legend

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers for that!

[@huntinfishin7214]

Great episode as usual. One tip i might give is when i fillet or bone smaller fish i use a shorter blade, you have much better knife control and less chance of ruining a fillet or your finger! Thanks again for a great video ❤

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, good point!

[@DanielSmith-vp5vn]

Loved you since I was a little fella. Great to see you on KZbin.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@johnlighton7025]

Thank you very much!

[@StarloGetsReel]

You're welcome!

[@adamsrcsandadventure700]

Nice mate I like a good garfish session 🎣👍i to fillet the old tredisinal way works for me

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice one.

[@lesfredericks4232]

Great video Steve thanks for the tips mate 👍happy Easter 💯🎣👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

Same to you!

[@raindogred]

I love gar fishing..I like a mix of damp sand, fish oil, and finely crushed cheezels..as my burley, they are easy to overfeed with bread and they go off the bite too quick (my theory anyway) i like little oil slick out there to get them excited but stay hungry...you only need a good handfull of cheezels, then the rest are a snack while you fish :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Great tip!

[@russellhumble9561]

They are fun to catch on fly gear as well. Use bread flies tied out of white deer belly hair on size 12 hooks

[@StarloGetsReel]

Spot on.

[@MusMasi]

we use to go at night time in the shallows wading with scoop nets or can you believe it machetes or just hard heavy sticks to wack them, and torches, you could even use coconut branches as a torch, those work well, didn;t take long to have a bin full for breakfast and also some left over for bait as they make excellent bait.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!

[@MusMasi]

@@StarloGetsReel this was in the pacific islands, lagoon so it was pretty safe in that location. No crocs there, and bigger sharks couldnt get in. only had to go knee deep anyway.

[@dwayno_unknown]

Starlo you made 🤤🤤🤤🤤 gar are one of my all time favourite fish to eat

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff! I’m glad!

[@kizzyaggots1]

Very good video SS, thanks very much for the thorough process of catch and cook.

[@StarloGetsReel]

You’re welcome!

[@jutman90635]

Looks great Steve thanks for your videos mate I'm learning alot from them 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying them! 👍

[@02bigkev]

I've never tried Garfish but have caught a few while spinning for whiting with a sugar pen. I'll have to try them. That knife is Sharpe.

[@StarloGetsReel]

So true!

[@dannidoods]

Legend!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@Daniel-pl2fq]

My pop used to roll them out with a beer bottle and serve them with stail bread just incase you got a good bone stuck in the back of the throat but for scaling he used to keep a rough keeper net in the bucket and they would scale themselves as they swimed around

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice! Some great memories there by the sounds of things. 👍

[@mickpezza8351]

I do the opposite to you when sorting out garfish. The big ones go in the freezer for bait and the little ones are the tummy fillers. When you eat the small ones there is no need to roll them or fillet, just cook whole, without the head, separate the first half and then hold the tail and peel the backbone off the other half. By eating the small ones the bones that are left are the same as your rolled method but without the hassle.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Interesting! Worth a try…

[@colindyer4810]

U a legend

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks!

[@AndrewFishman]

Do you include the scales in a burley mix? I find that they are really great. They attract a lot of attention as they float and flicker and glitter, and look like a fish has lost a lot of scales and is vulnerable. A very simple and cheap addition to the mix. I noticed you scaling into another bucket, try saving your scales :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes I do! You're spot on, too. When I drained most of the water out of the bucket the scales were all in the bottom so I was able to scoop them up by hand and add to my berley container.

[@AndrewFishman]

@@StarloGetsReel Oh, good to hear. I figured you probably did. But went through the benefits for others maybe reading the comment who did not realise. :)

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I guess they're tiny bits of scent too.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@redtobertshateshandles yep!

[@paultennant2593]

Last time I did gars I must have got the cooking time just right,gutted, scaled,trimmed and headless.just rolled in seasoned flour .I was able to lift the entire frame out whilst eating.If over cooked the frame will come out in pieces.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff!

[@iandibley8032]

Brings back memories, good eating, and great bait for tailor .In Qld can they be kept for bait & are small whiting legal in Qld for bait.thanks

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers. To the best of my understanding, you can't keep or use undersized species for bait in any Australian jurisdiction. Only exception I know of is mullet in NSW, where you're allowed to keep a certain number under the standard minimum length to use as bait.

[@howarddavey6642]

Rolling pin for me !

[@StarloGetsReel]

I was surprised how well it works!

[@peterpumpkineater6939]

Hey starlo what exact float were you using, I struggle to find decent floats in tackle stores.

[@StarloGetsReel]

That was an old Pommy style coarse fishing float I’ve had for yonks. But the quill floats that are sold widely are pretty good.

[@krispycool1]

Gents (maggotts) are the best garfish bait

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, they're very good.

[@terrydwyer7752]

That’s why you never cut towards yourself!

[@StarloGetsReel]

True enough!

[@ynots0625]

Best way is smoked butterflied or not. Enjoy!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds good!

[@systemsrenegade9888]

I drove my filleting knife through my finger and got two stitches for my trouble , i was trying to speed through filleting a couple of good bream but found out the hard way slower is better.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Ouch!

[@feartheduck6664]

We go “dabbing” for them in South Oz. A bright spotlight and relatively fine wire mesh nets are the essential items. Gar swim near the surface and if approached slowly rarely get spooked. Net them from the front, their reverse gear isn’t so good! I fillet them the same way as your method. A very tasty meal indeed.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, I've done that in SA years ago... lots of fun!

[@AndrewFishman]

Have you ever fly fished for gar? That's a bit of fun.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sure have! Love it…

[@ian1486]

Thanks for the great video. Any thoughts on eating yellow tail? I was reading an article in the Sydney Morning Herald about what sustainable fish to eat and it got me thinking about eating the humble yellow tail which seem abundant. Curious what you think!

[@StarloGetsReel]

They’re quite tasty and ESPECIALLY good as sahimi! Yum.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Great vid mate! I wonder if a #0wt fly rod with a little bread fly would be fun.... ;)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks for watching! It could be a fun experiment to try out!

[@JDHambo]

Another great video, do you know if the garfish will go for surface lures cause I had multiple garfish going at my popper the other day.

[@StarloGetsReel]

They sure do, although hooking them isn't easy!

[@JDHambo]

Cool thanks

[@matthomas6575]

I’ll be interested to c how you put the fish guts and head and frames in your burley I only do a basic burley chicken pellets water and Wilson fish oil blend

[@StarloGetsReel]

I just chuck it in and mash it a bit. Nothing flash.

[@cjfee]

Yep, fingers behind the knife.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Not really possible when filleting tail to head. Just one of the hazards of the game. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 🤣

[@rickplayle9748]

That rolling technic I havent done much , just been a fillet and fry bloke :) though worth another try indeed, hey can you tell me do any sunglass companies make fitover sunclasses for us grandads with prescription lens for a reasonable price, they tend to forget grandads that like to take their grandies fishing :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Mako do prescriptions but they’re pretty expensive. Not sure if any of the major companies do fitovers. Someone else on here might know?

[@mattelvins2102]

what d i think of gars? longtail tuna livies

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, they make great live baits.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I remember an old guy telling me that they used to catch 3 at a time, and left me feeling inadequate. 😂 They're great fun and rewarding but they're kinda boney and I'm not really enamoured with the taste either. Maybe you can show us something. They are around everywhere though. I think pollard or bran was great burley but it's been too long.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, give them another go!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@StarloGetsReel I've tried all those methods but probably not crumbed. Maybe that softens those annoying little bones. My daughter, a mad Japophile, teaches English in Japan. She actually reads and writes Japanese besides speaking it. Anyway, she bought Japanese knives and cookware, and I had a few minor accidents with their scary sharp knives.

[@OnTheFlipSide]

You should try rolling them, but don't remove the bones raw, cook them as you did, and then after it's cooked you pull up on the tail and all the bones will come out without removing meat,

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!

[@user-bq5is7bn9m]

In wa the far fish fishery was down for a bit but now its reopens I may give these prep methods a wack

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff. 👍

[@neilforbes1082]

Funny that Steve I was wondering why you were cutting towards your fingers.

[@StarloGetsReel]

That’s the way I’ve always done it - filleting from the tail. Not without it’s hazards though! 🤣

[@neilforbes1082]

@@StarloGetsReel Keep the band aids handy Starlo.

[@ebzonwill]

whats the brand of the float and where do you buy it.

[@StarloGetsReel]

It’s an old, old European coarse fishing float. I must’ve had it for 35 years! Just use a quill float. 😉

[@alby910]

Where can we get a wooden pacifier

[@StarloGetsReel]

You’ll have to find someone handy with a lathe I think. I was lucky!

[@MurphyShephard1]

I’m curious what do u do for a job starlo

[@StarloGetsReel]

I still haven't decided what I want to do when I grow up. ;) Seriously though, I've been self employed for the past 30-odd years: writing, TV presenting and doing paid tackle development, promotional work and endorsements. Over the past couple of years I've been slowly edging towards semi-retirement, but the KZbin stuff actually keeps me busier than ever. Tight Lines.

[@MurphyShephard1]

@@StarloGetsReel awesome stuff starlo I was only wondering because I’m at that age now where I need to seriously think about what career path I want to take and I love fishing and it’s the only thing I want to do I still haven’t figured out what way to go in the industry since you are my favourite fisherman and a man I look up to it only makes sense to ask you.😊

[@MurphyShephard1]

@@StarloGetsReel just to let you know I am obsessed with squidgies I love using them they are such good lures and I will continue to use them for the rest of my life we had packets of them very old and broke apart unfortunately so we started a new soft plastic collection and my #1 pick is always gonna be squidgies

[@666Havers]

Was fishing for them the other day. There was heaps of them jumping around but they wouldn't take bait.. maggots, squid, cockle they just wouldn't play the game. I cracked the shits and packed up and left. Left them jumping. Hate em now

[@StarloGetsReel]

They can do that to you some days! Slowly retrieving the bait to keep it moving can occasionally do the trick. 👍

[@mitchmcbride6053]

Did a number in your finger always great to have super sharp knife’s but bugger me dead it hurts

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes indeed!

[@Dan-wi3mq]

Not sure why but garfish always follow my boat but I can never catch them.

[@StarloGetsReel]

How frustrating! Try some bread berley and a float rig. Good luck!

[@user-ch7ux2wt7i]

Try them raw. They are as good as prawn meat.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, lovely sashimi, I agree!

[@Just-Trust]

I don't think that's a Gar fish. Isn't that Ballyhoo???? We fish for gar here in Texas we catch 6ft -8ft long 100+-200+lbs

[@Ade4fish]

Agreed. These are Ballyhoo (Half-Beaks) We use them rigged up for trolling for Mahi-Mahi and Sailfish

[@Just-Trust]

@@Ade4fish exactly... we use them for King Mackerel, big snapper, and cobia

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep. We call them gar or garfish here in Australia, but they’re half-beaks, ballyhoo or even balao in many parts of the world. Fish names vary a lot from country to country.

[@ynots0625]

Small are best eating.. Rookie mistake

[@StarloGetsReel]

There ya go. Like I said, everyone has an opinion. 😉

[@davidhall1395]

Less talk more action

[@StarloGetsReel]

I guess everyone has their own preferences when it comes to KZbin videos. However, this has been one of my most popular episodes to date, so it clearly appeals to many viewers. The good news is that there’s so much content available you can always find something that works for you. Tight Lines.