272: Black-edged Nine-spined Bass

The fish species near this reef are quite abundant. Aside from Red Seed Fish and Honggu fish, and a few other Grouper, there are mostly various Sea Bream, Sea Bass, and red head fish.

Although they are not very expensive fish species, there are so many of them! Even with Yang Qi's precise casting, in nearly half of his attempts, the bait was snatched by other fish.

This is just like freshwater fishing, where you go fishing in a reservoir or a wild river and are harassed by small fish, leaving you helpless.

Aside from being unfriendly to Yang Qi, this cheat, this spot is definitely a high-quality fishing location for other Anglers.

Occasionally catching a good fish is like opening a blind box and suddenly getting something great; it makes one's adrenaline surge and mood pleasant.

Unlike Yang Qi, this cheat, who watches other fish snatch the bait every time, he only feels increasingly disappointed.

Sometimes, it would even be better not to know what fish is biting the hook below; at least then he would still have some anticipation.

Yang Qi took out his phone and marked this location. If he brings friends out to sea in the future and they want the satisfaction of continuous catches, this fishing spot will be a good choice.

Or he could give this fishing spot to Zhang Jun and let him come over to enjoy it.

Originally, Yang Qi saw a Green Grouper weighing over thirty catties next to the reef crevice. Although it wasn't very expensive, it was worth three or four thousand yuan. He kept casting toward that spot.

He kept casting and kept getting intercepted. Sure enough, this cast was intercepted by a Black Sea Bream again. However, this Black Sea Bream was quite large, weighing at least four catties.

If he took it to sell at the seaside villa, it would be worth over three hundred yuan. Upon arriving in the South China Sea, this kind of fish is not qualified to enter the live fish hold.

Therefore, Yang Qi immediately reeled in violently, completely disregarding the feelings of the Black Sea Bream.

In just a few moves, he pulled the fish out of the water, removed the hook, cut a blood vessel at the base of its gills, and tossed it into the fish box without another thought.

Yang Qi re-baited and cast towards the Green Grouper, but it was as if the spot was cursed. Every time, the Green Grouper would not bite; the bait was always intercepted by other fish.

It was the same this time; it swam past the bait several times without biting, making Yang Qi curse inwardly.

Suddenly, a red fish darted out from the reef crevice, bit the bait, and ran. In a flash, it swam away into the distance.

Yang Qi didn't clearly see what kind of fish it was, but he felt it might be a slightly larger red head fish.

In that case, he wouldn't hold back. He immediately set the hook, rested the rod butt against his stomach, leaned back, and began reeling in violently.

The poor fish struggled desperately on the seabed, the line pulled taut, going left then right, but ultimately it could not escape the restraint of the fishing line.

Yang Qi was also annoyed, and he showed no mercy to this rather good-looking fish.

He even skipped much of the necessary fish-fighting process, even though the fish didn't seem small.

It didn't take long before a dazzlingly red fish was pulled to the surface.

Only then did Yang Qi realize that this was not a red head fish at all, but a black edge goatfish.

This was seriously frustrating.

The black edge goatfish, commonly known as the Red Rooster or Guo fish, mainly inhabits reef areas, and its flesh is extremely delicious.

It is usually steamed or boiled into soup, though some also braise it. It is one of the favorite fish species among food connoisseurs.

None of that is the main point; the main point is that this thing is quite expensive.

The price of black edge goatfish is usually 200 to 500 yuan per catty.

It seems similar in price to other Grouper, but valuable marine fish always become more expensive the larger they are.

For example, the black edge goatfish currently in Yang Qi's hand, weighing about three or four catties, would cost two to three hundred yuan per catty. That means its value, conservatively calculated, is at least a thousand yuan.

Because Yang Qi thought he had hooked a large red head fish, he was very casual when reeling it in.

The violent reeling caused the black edge goatfish's swim bladder to pop out of its mouth after it was netted.

Yang Qi looked at the fish, its eyes glazed over, clearly struggling for breath, and knew without a doubt that it wouldn't survive.

"Damn it, what died wasn't just a fish, it was my money."

Yang Qi grumbled silently.

Unlike Yang Qi's frustration, Bai Xue was only happy when she saw the black edge goatfish.

"Husband, this black edge goatfish is very rare in nearshore waters. The price is also high, about four or five hundred yuan per catty. You have really good luck."

Bai Xue said happily.

"That's still a lot. It's a shame it died right after being caught. Otherwise, it would be even more expensive, right?"

Yao Shanshan asked.

"Yes, no matter what kind of seafood, the live ones are much more expensive than the dead ones. But it's impossible to keep every fish in the live fish hold. After all, the space in the live fish hold is limited."

"We'll eat this black edge goatfish later to taste how fresh it is!"

Yang Qi said indifferently.

Yao Shanshan picked up the black edge goatfish and examined it. In fact, the fish wasn't black at all; instead, its entire body was bright red and very beautiful.

The black edge goatfish is red all over, but its red is different from the red of the Red-spotted Grouper. Its color is a bit more vibrant.

It looks as if it is wearing a red woolen sweater, appearing glossy and smooth.

Besides its vibrant color, the black edge goatfish's bright red body also gives it a festive feeling.

Therefore, some families with good financial conditions choose to use it when celebrating auspicious occasions.

The black edge goatfish is currently quite rare and uncommon in the market, let alone appearing in large quantities at fish stalls.

Thus, it is difficult to buy them at the wet market; they are often bought in advance at the dock by fishmongers and hotel purchasing staff immediately after being caught.

"I need to quickly bleed it first. We'll eat it tonight."

Bai Xue said to the two of them.

"Let me do it! Just teach me how."

Yao Shanshan said, waving her hand.

"Alright, take the scissors, inside the gill cover..."

Bai Xue instructed, and Yao Shanshan followed the steps, quickly processing the fish.

"Actually, all fish caught from the sea should be bled, especially if they aren't going to survive."

"Bleeding is the process of removing acid, preventing blood retention inside, which could affect the naturally tender fish meat."

"Because once it is affected, the price will inevitably drop significantly. If it's not handled promptly, the price difference could even be halved."

"So, if we have time, we should try to process all the fish."

"Understood then."

Yao Shanshan nodded in response.

"Xiaoxue, please teach me more. I don't want to hold you guys back, or else I won't know if I dare to go out to sea with you next time."

"Alright. With your intelligence, you'll pick up this common knowledge quickly. Study the types of seafood on the computer when you have time, and leave the rest to me."