Bucket List Fish: I'll Drink to That

It’s nice to celebrate specific fish with beers named after them. I’m not superstitious, thinking that if I drink a fictional “Giant Trevally Pale Ale,” I’ll never catch one, but at the same time I’d like to save some of these for the moments that they’re made for.

I caught plenty of smallmouth on two trips to Lake Erie almost a decade ago, but I never topped the 5-pound mark. I was hoping to do that in May when I was scheduled to go on a media trip to Buffalo, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. When I do make it back and exceed the mark, I’ll celebrate with a  Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA from Great Lakes Brewing Co.

My friend Clifford Wiedman and I have talked repeatedly about going to Prince Edward Island to catch a couple of bluefin tuna approaching the grander mark. When we do, we’ll have to sneak some Blue Fin Stout, from Maine’s Shipyard Brewing Co., across the border.

I caught my one and only blue marlin in Costa Rica in 1995, but I’ve never caught a white, despite the fact that Ocean City, Maryland – just 3 hours from my house – holds a well-known tournament for them every year. If I catch one there, I’ll have to imbibe a White Marlin Pale Ale from O.C.’s Fin City Brewing Co.

Florida’s very fishy Sailfish Brewing Co. also brews a White Marlin Witbier.

Despite the fact that I’m getting more into saltwater fishing, I’ve yet to be around wahoo, which of course would merit a Witty Wahoo IPA from Flat Fish Brewing Co.

Ballast Point Brewing Co. has also offered a Wahoo White Whitbier.

Along with the more exotic Thai Chili Wahoo.

While it sounds NSFW, Saltwater Brewery’s Bone-A-Fied Blonde is actually an ode to the flats-dwelling bonefish.

Finally, while I’m sure it’s delicious, Fish Brewing Co.’s Mud Shark Porter reminds me of something that should never occupy a livewell.