Pomfret

Monchong can range from about 4 pounds to over 25 pounds, but the prime market sizes are fish over 12 pounds.

Utopia Fish, Pomfret, Lustrous Pomfret, Bigscale, Sickle Pomfret, Castagnole Fauchoir/ Cosmopolite (French), Brachsenmakrele (German), Pesce Castagna (Ital

Usually caught in deep waters (greater than 900 feet), often in the vicinity of seamounts.

Two species of pomfret, also known as monchong in Hawaii are harvested in small quantities by the longline and bottomfish handline fisheries. The predominant species is the sickle pomfret, distinguished by the forked shape of its fins and large scales. Two species of pomfret, also known as monchong in Hawaii, are harvested in small quantities by the tuna longline and bottomfish handline fisheries. The predominant species is Taractichthys steindachneri, known as the sickle or bigscale pomfret, because of the forked shape of its fins and large scales. Longline fishermen from Japan refer to monchong as “utopia fish.” The large black scales covering the entire body of this species distinguish it from Eumegistus illustris, or lustrous pomfret, which has bronze skin color, larger eyes, and a thicker body. The lustrous pomfret also has a scaleless area behind and above the eyes lacking in the sickle pomfret. The lustrous pomfret accounts for less than 5% of monchong landings in Hawaii. Monchong are usually caught in deep waters (greater than 150 fathoms), often in the vicinity of seamounts. The lustrous pomfret has been caught on seabed slopes over 250 fathoms deep. Not much is known about the biology or habitat of these species.

Summary of Distribution:
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

	Jigging (Bottom) Jig fishing is popular and challenging. Why? Because the person fishing is creating the action that attracts, or doesn’t attract, the particular type of fish he or she is trying to catch. Here’s how it works. Cast out and let your jig hook sink to the bottom. Then use your rod tip to raise the bait about a foot off the bottom. Then let it drop back to the bottom. You can jig up and down, side to side or up and down and sideways. Jig rigs come in all sizes, shapes and colors, and can be used with or without live bait..
	Pelagic Longline This fishery uses a longline to catch a variety of pelagic fish on the high seas such as tuna and swordfish. A deep-set longline is used to primarily target tuna and a shallow-set longline is used to target swordfish or mixed species including bigeye, Albacore and yellowfin tuna. Baited hooks are attached to a line that floats in the ocean using buoys and flagpoles.
	Bottom Fishing Bottom fishing is....
	Hand Line Hand Lining is when....

	Vertical Hooking Vertical Hooking is when....