MISSISSIPPI KITCHEN DELIGHTS

from Coastal Angler Magazine | June 2023 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Edition

NORTH CAROLINIAN SMASHES U.S. SURF CASTING RECORD

BY SEAN VARONE

Seared Speckled Trout Over Gouda Cheese Grits With Asparagus

Late spring is a great time for speckled trout fishing on the Gulf Coast. Speckled trout are popular gamefish that can be found in abundance in coastal waters from Texas to Florida.

Here are some tips and information to help you have a successful speckled trout fishing experience:

1 Location: Look for areas with a combination of grassy flats, oyster bars, marshes, and deep channels. Speckled trout are known to inhabit these areas, especially near structures such as docks, pilings, and reefs. Pay attention to tidal movements as trout tend to feed more actively during incoming tides.

2 Bait and Lures: Live bait such as shrimp, mullet, or small baitfish like croaker can be highly effective for targeting speckled trout. If using artificial lures, consider using soft plastic baits such as the Hoodwink by

Southern Salt Bait Company, topwater plugs, or suspending jerkbaits. Experiment with different colors and sizes to find what the trout are actively striking.

3 Tackle and Gear: Use a medium to medium-light spinning rod and reel setup with a sensitive tip to detect the subtle strikes of speckled trout. Spool your reel with a monofilament or braided line in the 8 to 12-pound test range. Carry a variety of hooks, weights, and leader materials to adapt to different fishing conditions.

4 Techniques: Speckled trout can be caught using various techniques. Try casting your bait or lure near grassy areas or around structure and retrieve it slowly, mimicking the movement of a wounded baitfish. If using live bait, use a popping cork to create noise and attract trout. You can also drift fish along channels or troll along flats to cover more water.

5 Time of Day: Speckled trout tend to be most active during early morning and late afternoon when the water temperature is cooler. However, they can also be caught throughout the day, especially during overcast or lowlight conditions.

6 Regulations: Make sure to familiarize yourself with the fishing regulations and size limits for speckled trout in your specific location. It’s important to practice responsible catch-and-release to preserve the population of these fish for future generations.

Remember to check weather conditions and tides before heading out, and always prioritize safety on the water. Enjoy your speckled trout fishing adventure on the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast!

This recipe is super fast to prepare. The Blackstone cooks your fish, lemons, and asparagus. Grits can be made in advance and warmed before serving by adding a few tablespoons of stock to the pan while reheating

For the fish and asparagus:

• 2 speckled trout, cleaned and filleted. (4 filets)

• Fish Monger Fisherman’s Friend seasoning blend

• Zatarain’s Blackening Seasoning

• 4 lemons, halved

• Bundle of asparagus, washed and trimmed

• Stick of butter, sliced

1. Dr y fish thoroughly and season each side generously with Fish Monger and Zatarain’s Blackening seasoning blends.

2. On a medium-high griddle, add a swirl of vegetable oil. When the oil glistens, lay your filets on the hot griddle with an inch or so of space between them.

3. Add your undressed asparagus to the other side of the griddle, in a single layer.

4. Let fish cook 3 mins. While fish cooks, stir asparagus so it cooks evenly.

5. Cook fish 4 mins after flipping. Right before removing from griddle, add slices of butter on top of each filet.

6. Let butter melt over the fish before transferring filets to a serving dish to keep warm.

7. Asparagus should be close to ready when the fish is done. If not, use this time to lay lemons, cut side down, on griddle. Remove the lemons when they are dark brown and caramelized.

8. Move lemons and asparagus to serving platter to keep warm.

9. Season asparagus with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

We used Red Mill Corn Grits for this meal. Simple prepare as directed for cheesy grits. We use chicken stock instead of water and 1 cup of shredded Gouda instead of shredded cheddar. Your favorite cheese or whatever you have in the refrigerator will work great!

To put the meal together, we lay a hot buttered filet of trout over a serving of cheesy grits and arrange some asparagus on the side. Squeeze a hot, caramelized lemon half over your entire plate before serving!

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