Hall herring: what kind of fish is it and what does blackback look like, catching royal herring

Herring is a fish that has long been popular in cooking. It is rich not only in taste, but also in nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. One of the most popular varieties of herring is the herring called zalom. It is distinguished by a rich and bright taste, which is emphasized by its fleshy structure and smell. Thanks to its beneficial properties and taste, it has become a favorite fish for many people around the world.

Fish details

Zalom herring belongs to the family of the same name (Herring).It is so large that when s alting, its tail was often bent, which gave it such a name. Other names include: "Kessler's herring" (after the zoologist who first discovered the fish), "black-backed" (due to the corresponding back color) and "mad herring" (due to the furious splashing during breeding).

This Caspian herring is the largest and fattest. It doesn't occur very often. Its taste makes it especially valuable and it is known as the "king herring" . It is great for pickling.

Looks like

Zalom is the largest species of the Caspian herring, which reaches fifty centimeters in length and weighs up to two kilograms. Her body is bulky, with a long tail. The abdomen is flattened on both sides. The head, pectoral fins and tail are dark, and the mouth is wide. The lower jaw protrudes slightly forward and has well developed teeth. An ink stain is usually present behind the gills and on both sides.In spring, the herring's back becomes a deep purple hue.

Name history

The herring, which was too big to fit in the s alting containers, had to be folded in half, wrapping the tails. This is why these unusually large herrings were known as "Zalom" . The price of such fish was higher than the usual one, and those who sold it were called "bargain merchants" .

Diet

Royal herring feeds on small aquatic life such as sprats and gobies, as well as crustaceans and insects. After spawning, they enter a period of intensive feeding. In turn, these fish become targets for larger predators such as catfish and aquatic mammals (such as seals) or seabirds such as gulls and herons.

Reproduction and spawning

Astrakhan herring become sexually mature at the age of three or four years.They usually weigh about half a kilogram and measure 32-36 cm in length. Spawning occurs between May and early autumn, with the most activity in June, at temperatures of 13-23 degrees Celsius.

After the Volgograd hydroelectric power station was built, fish began to spawn in the area between Astrakhan and Volgograd. She usually spawns in places where there is no strong current of water (for example, in canals or creeks). The process usually begins early in the day when the herring thrashes aggressively and jumps out of the water. After spawning, fish can be seen swimming in circles close to the surface; that is why the Caspian herring is sometimes called "rabies" .

Females lay up to three hundred thousand eggs in three consecutive batches. The eggs are rather large, up to 3.8-4.2 mm in diameter. After hatching, the larvae accumulate near the coastline and mainly occupy the lower parts of the seabed. They take 40-50 hours to hatch (depending on water temperature), after which they disperse in open waters and eventually arrive in the southern regions of the Caspian Sea, where they grow until they reach maturity.

Herring fishing

Blackback fishing is allowed with spinning and rod (this requires a license). Usually the first type of gear is used for this. The angler must cast his bait into the group of fish and try to get the attention of the herring. Line sensitivity is not as important as finding the right fishing spot. Different flocks may swim at different depths during the day. It is believed that in June the hall is easy to find near the surface.

Herring fishing is most successful during the hours from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to sunset, although it is suspected that fish do not stop migrating through the same area at night. However, it moves into deep waters during times of bad weather, such as cloudiness or temperature changes.

Herring will readily take the bait, so hooking is usually not required. It is wise to ensure that the hooks are sharp (it is recommended to take a hook sharpener with you when fishing). You will be effective tying the hook with red thread.

On the boat

Fishing from the shore is a viable option for catching herring, but having a boat gives anglers more benefits, like the chance to use an echo sounder that can detect concentrations of fish and show depth.

For casts closer to the shore, use a shorter rod. Having a boat makes it easier to track herring flocks, which can travel up to 50 kilometers a day until they spawn. In any case, it's best to act quickly when you spot them.

Spinning

Herring are often attracted to white or silver baits with a red accent near the hook; it is usually made in the shape of a diamond, about four centimeters long. Usually it has one soldered hook, and for aggressive fishing, you should use a thick fishing line 0.2-0.4 mm.

To find a group of herring, you have to determine how deep they swim.It is important to start counting as soon as the hook touches the water; if there are no bites, then increase the count as the bait sinks deeper. If you manage to correctly guess with the depth, the herring will go for the bait, resembling a fry, quite actively.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionFor additional weight, add a sinker weighing forty grams. If a group of fish is close to the surface of the water, then using a castmaster also gives good results.

On a tyrant

This fishing technique is usually done from a boat with a rod up to three meters long. It is advisable not to use metal coils due to the s alt content in the water. The fishing line should be quite thick, from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. A thin line is attached to the main line, ending with a sinker weighing 45-160 g (depending on the strength of the current). Several leashes are strung on a thin section.The distance between these leashes is about 13cm.

It is more efficient to use shiny applications, as herring bites more readily. For visibility, threads should be attached to the hooks, usually red or yellow-green. You should also attach various devices to lure fish.

When catching fish, you need to pull the line tightly and wait until it falls to the bottom, then raise it about a meter and make a quick swing with the rod. If, after several attempts, bites do not occur, a change in depth will help. As soon as a bite is felt while fishing, wait for another one before slowly reeling in the line.

Other ways

Get some silicone crustaceans (white, pale pink or light green). The tackle should not be too heavy so that the bait sinks slowly.

Also caught with an elastic band. Fishing with a rubber band is an effective method, especially when there are groups of fish in the bays. The bait is easy to make at home or buy in the store.

The main line has a diameter of 0.3-0.5 mm, and the length of each segment is usually fifty meters plus ten for the elastic. The main line must be strong so as not to injure your hands, and able to pull out sinkers that can catch on grass or other obstacles. Whenever possible, choose areas with a relatively clean seabed when fishing with a rubber band.

About fish meat

Herring meat is tender, high in fat. Zalom herring is a valuable source of nutrients such as proteins, fats and trace elements. 100 grams of Caspian herring meat contains about 20 grams of protein and more than 12 grams of fat, including omega-3 fatty acids.

Also, herring meat contains vitamins A, D, E and B-groups, as well as trace elements such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and iodine. Eating herring regularly will boost your immune system, keep your bones and heart he althy, and improve your digestion.

Blackback is s alted, marinated, sometimes smoked and fried. The most common pickled and s alted herring.

How to cook it

It is permissible to s alt the herring whole, or cut it into pieces (which will significantly speed up the s alting process). To get the best taste, it is worth using fresh herring. If you s alt the whole herring, then you should remove the gills, otherwise it will taste bitter.

Dry s alting

Ingredients:

2 medium herrings.
1/2 cup s alt.
1/2 cup sugar.
1 teaspoon black pepper.
1 teaspoon of coriander.

Instructions:

Mix s alt, sugar, pepper and coriander together in a bowl.
Wash the herrings and remove the intestines, leaving the tail and head.
Put each herring in a plastic bag.
Sprinkle each herring with the s alt and spice mixture from the bowl.
Close the bag tightly, removing air from it.
Put bags of herring in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Turn the herring bags over and put them back in the fridge for another 24 hours.
After 48 hours of dry s alting, your herring will be ready. Remove the herring from the bag, remove the tail and head, and cut into portions.
Serve herring with potatoes, turnips, carrots, fresh cucumbers or any other vegetable of your choice.

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