All fish stink! Especially on the BBQ...

I have heard the "metal" smell on Blackmouth theory too. Then again, I have smelled mature fish with the same smell. I don't know why. I would imagine the feed. Scale size and time of year will give you the best chance of determining a mature or immature salmon.

As far as the smallish size, I would like to believe their environment for the first 15 months has more to do with being "stunted" (Pen held- similiar to a goldfish in a two gallon tank verses the same goldfish in a 50 gallon tank and the non-availabilty of baitfish). These little guys are voracious once released.

Squid... I have heard a lot of hoopla about BM not feeding on squid. I'll say bull! Although I would say the majority of their diet consists of 90% herring and candlefish, I know certain times of the year (December/January in particular) BM will key in squid. I have caught numerous BM with their stomachs stuff full of squid. I was once told the reason we don't find many squid in stomach samples is because of the salmon's digestive track dissolves the squid very quickly. Makes sense to me...

Shrimp... the smaller guys probably key in them for the first year or so but, the bigger guys are strictly meat and taters...

Grandpa, glad you're enjoying the hat! Finally got out on the Marlin trip... No Marlin, but some nice Yellow Fin Tuna! ...and a nice sun burn to boot!