Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
by Robin & other great local fishermen
This is my #1 daily hit for this blog. Mostly they get this link I wrote back in June 2007 but nobody likes it because I didn't write down specifics. So this is for all those googlers who want great smoked kingfish dip.
Capt Randy's Smoked Kingfish Dip (My favorite)
1 pkg of smoked kingfish
mayo
lemon slices
prepared horseradish
fine diced onion
cajun seasoning
fine diced jalapeno
Worcesthershire sauce
Mix fish in bowl, smash w/ fork. Add heaping tablespoon of mayo, tsp or 2 of horseradish, splash of Worcestershire, Tbl onion, tsp jalapeno, squeeze in a lemon slice & sprinkle w/ cajun seasoning. Mix thoroughly, chill for 1/2 hr in frige & mix again. Eat on crackers or toasted bagel slices.
#2 version: John's Smoked Kingfish Dip
Pkg of smoked fish (kingfish preferred)
1 pkg cream cheese
3 Tbl mayo
1/2 - 1 c flaked fish
2 Tbl lemon juice
Mix together and put on a cracker. Add pepper, cayenne pepper or blackening seasoning to taste.
#3 version: Scott's Smoked Kingfish Dip
Smoked fish
2 c cream cheese
1/4 c mayo
sweet pickle relish
1/4 c fresh parsley, chopped fine
1 Tbl yellow mustard
1/2 med vidalia onion
1/2 green pepper, chopped fine
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1/2 Tbl celery salt
2 Tbl Worchestershire
1 clove garlic minced
1 Tsp pepper
1 Tbl lemon or lime juice
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All these came straight from the fishermen themselves. Even our version is a little different but most similar to Randy's. Add or subtract whatever you don't like or can't eat. Smart Balance mayo works well too.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
First stop was Outback Crab Shack, west of St. Augustine, then into St. Augustine to look for artwork & see old buildings, then tour Fort Castillo and see the river, then over the bridge to visit the Lighthouse which was already closed for the evening. Hope you enjoy the pictures of our family day.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
by Robin
We drove up to St. Augustine today for a little family get-away. We had two purposes. First, find a piece of art that we loved and would want to see on our big wall in the LR. Secondly, visit the historic city, see Fort Castillo and visit the lighthouse.
Well, the first gallery we visited ended up being the one we came back to after walking all over cobblestone in 90+ deg heat. It was down to a half-dozen pictures all painted by Tripp Harrison. It was so hard but we narrowed it down to this one. I'm in love with the peacefulness in the shade this one gave us. It's called "Keys Whaler." (Whaler is the boat in the middle.)
Ok, so then we had a little problem. We really liked so much of his work. It was hard to walk away with just one. So, Jack thought it would be ok to get a smaller print of this one too.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
by Tim Hawkins
I love ADD'd Christians. They crack me up. But, they also give me hope that I'm not the only who loves Jesus but can't fit the perfect mold. They give me encouragment. One of my favorite ADDDDHHHDDDs is a preacher named Tony Nolan (http://www.tonynolan.org/) and the other is Tim Hawkins, comedian & singer.
Friday, June 13, 2008
by Robin
It was a bumpy ride out. Rain clouds off/on near the shore. Beautiful rainbow. Funnel cloud that came half-way down to the sea. Spooky. Slow day for trolling. Could be the fish bite stopped for weather reasons.
Anyhow, Bill was first in line for when a fish was hooked. Bill is a coworker and friend. They landed this nice cow about 5-7 lbs. She was rather mad about being put on ice - - a solid icebox fight for 2 minutes kicking the sides.
For bottom bumping, Bill pulled up chickens (nickname for short snapper) while my son picked up this rather large black sea bass. Good eats. He goes in the cooler for mama.
They're never more than a pound or so, but they do have very tender white meat.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
by Robin
First thing we like to do is keep all the species separated. I use every big bowl I own if need be. Ice is great. Continuously remove excess water as it melts.
We also tend to remove almost every appliance & knick-knack from the countertops. This makes sanitization easier afterwards.
Ok, so Jack grabs a bowl and we begin our work. (Cobia shoulders shown)
Always have a sharp filet knife & sharpener handy.
After the fish is trimmed, one of us will rinse it clean and give a quick inspection. From the sink, we move it right to another board.
After we're done w/ everything and we've frozen back whatever we want to save or have labelled to give to friends, we sanitize the counters twice w/ clorox clean-up. Lots of paper towels. Most the pots, boards & knives get put into the dishwasher and extras get hand-washed.
http://sfbaywhalewatching.blogspot.com/
Found this great blog on blogspot. (Sharie - you'll want to see this) It originates out of San Francisco Bay.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Many of you who read both my blogs know that we painted -our-school-room this weekend rather than fish. Jack's buddies were calling one by one to see how the seas & fishing turned out. I'm sure the Atlantic ocean was filled with trolling lines today, as the seas were very low.
I will say that we did enjoy some grouper nuggets & home-made onion rings. I get my batter straight out of the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook (you know, the red plaid one your mother owns). Fry in light oil at 350 deg for a few minutes. Yummy!
Add some beans, applesauce and whatever else you enjoy and you're all set.
If I get a lull between company this week, I'll post about how we processed 100 lbs of fish meat last weekend. Exciting stuff, right? You'd be surprised at all the stuff people google and learn from this fishing blog. Remind me to never post my top secret recipes here. LOL. Next weekend, I'm sure we'll be back to fishing again...... or at least Jack will. We may have a guest fisherman from S. FL with us.
Happy Fishing y'all.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
by Robin
It never ceases to amaze me that I get google hits from people looking up perverse stuff. I blogged once about a nudist beach in our area. It was totally g-rated, no pics and wish I had never blogged about it. Somebody found me looking for nude family pictures.
Some person googles "dolphin fishing sexy women" and somehow links to me. Now, I love to dolphin fishing and sometimes I do it in a bathing suit, and I am a woman, but, but BUT, you will not see the likes of anything so scandelous on my blog. Anything slightly revealing gets photoshopped or cropped for modesty reasons. (Btw, they got "sexy" by my saying my husband was James Bond-sexy with parking the boat.) I really must be more careful with my word choices.
So, if you've found me looking for something unwholesome, click out. You won't find it on either of my sites. We are Christians trying to do our best to represent our Lord & Savior. Please....... get yourself some help.
Back to fishing........
Monday, June 02, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Anyhow, as Jack cleaned the grouper and then mahi, next up was the cobia. What a massive body! Three days later, I'm still in awe and disbelief in the size of this fishy. I had Jack take these other pics so you could grasp the size of even the head of it next to my head. It could swallow my fist easily (probably two!).
Extreme fishing is when whatever your catching can eat you too. LOL. I didn't fear the fish until it was in the boat though. Cobia have the reputation of saving all their fight for once they're inside the boat. I've seen what a 22 lb'er can do. I can't imagine 3x the power on the deck floor. I could only think to tail rope the fish. The first attempt landed me slime across the cheek and the rope slid back off. Have you ever tried to catch a lightening quick fish tail? It ain't easy. My 2nd attempt, I had to rope it fast & with determination. I did, but not without him getting another slap square in the mouth with the tail. Ouch! At least he was caught on both ends now.
While the tip of the bait knife broke while trying to do a quicker, humane kill, Jack still managed to bleed him out. We do have a bullybat, but it was at home. I never once thought Cobia would be on the dinner menu for this trip. Anyhow, once in the cooler, there was no more fight left in him. Nothing left in us either.
We tried to drop a couple more baits but our hearts weren't into it. We were content that we had more than enough meat and my seasickness was coming back. I convinced my stomach that it could handle some watermelon for the ride home. Ahhhh, watermelon never tasted so good. Cool, thirst-quenching, refreshing. I ate 4 pieces in a few minutes. I'm sure I looked like a starved sailor on a deserted island. My son also ate his share of watermelon.
Well, maybe tomorrow I can blog about how to process 101 lbs of meat. I took pictures during the process. We had cobia & mahi steaks for lunch, while my little guy had his mahi fried nuggets. I'll try to blog those recipes over the next few days too.
Happy Fishing Y'all!