Lemon Butter Amberjack Recipe
https://eatsimplefood.com/lemon-butter-amberjack-fish/
Grilled Triggerfish w/ Red Wine Butter Sauce
http://thelocalpalate.com/recipes/grilled-triggerfish-with-red-wine-butter-sauce/
Red Snapper are the most common fish we catch off of the coast of Alabama. They are only in season from June to early July. The good news? When you hire a charter fishing company like Class Act Charters to take you on a fishing adventure at Orange Beach, you can sit back and let us handle the strategy while you enjoy a day on the water!
Although snapper is common, there are so many different species of fish you can target and catch off the coast here in Alabama.
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper is found mostly in the Gulf of Mexico. They were very abundant but have been overfished to the point that they are now tough to catch. Gag Grouper are found around shallow water reefs; but, most are in deep water near rocks and ledges. Gags are fun to catch. The Gag Grouper are usually 5 to 10 pounds average in weight; but, if you get lucky, a 30 to 40 pounder is out there. Gulf Gag Grouper are a white meat and the texture is semi soft. Some say it tastes better than Red Snapper, and should be undercooked a bit. Try grilling, baking or frying it!
Amberjack
Amberjack is also known as the Greater Amberjack and is caught on mostly large structures of reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. They offer a great fight for even the toughest angler! The average size of an Amberjack is about 15 to 18 pounds. There are a lot of 20 to 25 pounders. These fish can grow up to close to 100 pounds. Amberjack is a good fish to eat and has a firm texture to its meat. It is good cooked on the grill! There is a bag limit of one Amberjack per person, per day in the Gulf of Mexico. They have to be 30 inches at the fork length to keep them. An Amberjack over 20 pounds is usually legal and can be kept.
Wahoo
Wahoo is one of the most prized migratory fish you can catch in Alabama. The Wahoo are considered one of the fastest fish in the ocean, next to the sail fish. Wahoo are usually caught in blue water or water that is over 150 feet deep or deeper. They weigh on average 20 pounds each. They fight like crazy when hooked! Most are caught while trolling lures behind the boat. Wahoo is best tasting when grilled or blackened.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico. The Spanish mackerel is much smaller than its relative, the king mackerel. Spanish mackerel have a greenish back with silver sides and belly. Yellow or olive green oval spots traverse the body, which is covered with very tiny scales. Spanish mackerel prefer temperatures above 68 degrees and mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep sea grass beds and reefs.
King Mackerel
King Mackerel are a migratory fish that usually stay in waters whose temperature is above 70 degrees. They are plentiful during the summer months. They can be caught right off the Alabama coast line on short trips and are commonly caught further offshore near reefs and structures. They can be caught on a drift line while bottom fishing and on lures while trolling. King Mackerel are good for smoking and the food quality is okay. It is an oily fish and is best if you don’t freeze it. King Mackerel taste better when grilled or blackened.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna is one of the best fish to target on longer, overnight fishing trips that depart from Orange Beach. The Yellowfin are usually caught more than 60 miles offshore around large oil rigs or in deep blue water. They have been known to move more than 200 miles in a single day. They offer anglers the chance to fight a tough fish. They are caught trolling and chunking during the day and night. The best fishing is usually just before daybreak! Yellowfin Tuna is one of the best fish you can ever eat. However, they do not freeze well. The meat is a dark pink in the loin section and is used for sushi all over the world. The best way to cook Yellowfin is to grill or sear it.
Dorado, Mahi-Mahi and Dolphin Fish
No matter what you call them, the Dolphin fish is one of the best fighting game fish in the Gulf of Mexico. They can be caught during the summer months in Alabama along rip lines or floating debris. Large dolphins can weigh up to 80 pounds. The average Dolphin fish weighs about 2 to 10 pounds each. They offer even the best anglers a lot of action and almost always jump up in the air, shaking their heads trying to get away. Closer to shore, you may find the small ones that are called chicken dolphins. They are a blast to catch, right on the surface around the boat. The Gulf Dolphin are some of the best fish to eat. They have a firm texture which is excellent grilled or blackened.
Give us a call to schedule your next deep sea fishing trip! It will be an experience you’ll never forget.
There are some major advantages to using a charter service for your fishing needs, especially when away from home. Chartered boats were always viewed as expensive, but that really isn’t the case in many instances. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages, to better understand if these services are for you!
One of the biggest reasons that many people fish is to – catch fish. When vacationing in a place that one might not be familiar with, the angler is relying on word-of-mouth locations and hotspots, or even worse, internet recommendations for information. Many of the spots will not be available without access to some type of boat, whether it is a rental or the angler owns and transports a vessel. The use of a chartered service eliminates many of these issues, as there is nothing to bring or rent, and furthermore, as a passenger, you are not required to do anything except fish. The convenience of showing up on the dock and jumping in the boat, rather than the alternative is a nice way to enhance the fishing experience and focus on the fishing.
One of the other advantages to the use of a local charter service is the knowledge of the area. It is virtually guaranteed that you will catch fish, especially when using a local captain that has been fishing the area for years. Accessing local spots that you would have missed can drastically increase your catch. The use of a larger, chartered boat can allow access to offshore locations that may have been inaccessible from a small craft. The knowledge of local hot spots can be the difference between everyone on board catching fish and having a great time, or not catching fish.
The charter experience can also provide some benefits that the angler might not think about, such as intimate knowledge of local laws and regulations regarding conservation. You are also gaining a better understanding of the local habitat, taught to you by someone with a vested interest in making sure that all the laws of the land and ideas regarding conservation are followed. The captain will have stories and great conversation along with all of the gear and knowledge of where to fish that will make your experience on the boat enjoyable. This is a great opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert! Everything from technique to bait choice to equipment usage is up for discussion when you charter, and this can make for some great learning experiences for every level of angler.
The captain will have insight into what fish are in season and what can be caught at the time, allowing you as the customer to choose your target and go after fish that you want, targeting their habitat and what bait they take. This eliminates much of the guess work in fishing and allows you to go after the specific sport fish you are interested in catching.
Vacationing in Orange Beach this time of year also offers the fact that it is the off-season and our rates here at Class Act Charters are lower and the weather is cooler. Give us a call today to book your excursion while you’re spending time here on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast! Book your trip with us - http://www.classactfishing.net/.
It’s this time every year that Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama come alive with Spring Breakers and their families. What a joy it is to see so many families outside enjoying the sunshine and their time spent together! With the technology as it is nowadays, even at the dinner table you find everyone staring at their screens – missing out on those quality discussions we all grew up with. That’s one reason why we’re in the business we’re in – we love seeing families spend quality time together making memories that last a lifetime.
One of the main attractions down here on the coast this time of year is charter fishing. The 4, 5, and 6 hour trips are very affordable and accommodating for families from children to grandma. This time of year the water is still a bit cold, but this makes many fish cluster up in the warmer areas which makes for a great fishing trip. On these excursions, we typically fish 10-15 miles off the shore, making several fishing stops along the way. Our experienced captains know these waters well, and we have a good sense of where the fish are biting. We typically will stop the boat over a reef or wreck so everyone can drop their fishing lines. Many of our customers let us know that they only want to catch enough for dinner, and these ½ day excursions are ideal for just that. Whether it’s the 4 hour trolling trip or a bottom fishing and deep sea experience, we will cater the trip to meet your needs. In March and April, one of the more exciting things that happen in our Gulf waters is the Cobia migration. The Cobia fish, also known as Ling or Lemon, start to relocate along the coast from the warm waters in the south. They love to ride the waves as they soak in the sun. On longer trips we will fish out by the oil rigs and beyond, around 20-35 miles off the coast, where we can get the bigger fish. If you’re in for a thrill, fishing for Yellowfin Tuna and Amberjack can be very exciting. The tunas are resilient against the cold water as their body temperature doesn’t slow down so they’re off swimming in high gear. The Amberjacks are known as the “donkeys of the sea” because of how strong they can be when trying to reel in, really putting the “sport” in “sport fishing”. The giant Red Snappers will not be in season until June 1st so they are all catch and release for now, but still a heck of a good time. As the temperatures warm up, so do the fish. Other fish we see often include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Vermilion Snapper, White Snapper, Red Fish, Sheepshead, Flounder and Speckled Trout. For those of you looking to book a trip after April 1st, the season opens up for bag limits on the very tasty Scamp and Red Groupers. If high intensity fishing is not what you’re after, rest assured we customize each trip based on your needs, desires and expectations. Our deck mates and captains are there with you and your group every step of the way, showing you the ropes, helping reel in the fish, all the while educating youngsters and first-timers about the fish, fishing, and our Gulf waters. As an added bonus, during this Spring Break season we are offering discounted trips on the 4, 5, and 6 hour trips. For additional information or to book with us, give us a call at 251-391-0935 or fill out the form on our website. Hope to see you out on the water!
Spring Break 2019 is just around the corner. Soon, the Alabama Gulf Coast will be swarming with families eager to experience warm southern skies while dipping their toes into the Gulf of Mexico’s temperate waters. With your family or friends in tow, what’s one of the best ways to experience it? That’s right, Deep Sea Fishing! Here in Orange Beach, we know a thing or two about how to experience the Alabama Gulf Coast the right way.
Deep Sea Fishing is a fun activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Unlike other activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, or parasailing, which some ages may not be able or desire to participate in, Deep Sea Fishing has something for everyone. Whether you are want to soak up the sun, cast a line, or simply want to sit in a chair, drink a beer, and enjoy wathcing your family or friends fish, a charter trip is the perfect way to relax and unplug from the world ashore.
The spring season is an exceptional time to deep sea fish because as the water temperatures warm up, so do the fish. Due to the small amount of fishing done in the winter months, fish are also often more plentiful in the spring. During the spring, you can catch a myriad of fish, such as:
Cobias, which migrate through the area in late March and April, are some of the most fun. You often catch them by sight fishing, where you coax them into eating your bait. Be sure to ask a deck mate about this method!
Speckled trout bite best in the spring and fall and are frequently caught with shrimp. Other fish we often catch include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Vermilion Snapper, White Snapper, Red Fish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Amberjacks.
As a family owned and operated business, Class Act Charters ensures fun for all ages. We love seeing families and friends come together for quality time, making memories that last a lifetime. With our experienced captains and deck mates, we provide you with a completely customized day, offering half and full days filled with adventures on the sea. If you’re looking to catch enough fish to fill the freezer at home, feed you while on your vacation, or simply catch and release, we have you covered.
Make plans to join us this Spring Break on a deep sea fishing trip of a lifetime. Call us to book your customized trip today: (251) 391-0935.
File or pinch down the barb of your hook. A barbless hook is much easier to remove. However, if your hook is set too deep in the throat, simply cut the fishing line as close as possible to the eye of the hook and release your catch. The hook will rust away or simply be absorbed by the fish’s tissue.
Choose circle hooks when possible. Usually these hooks, with the point curving inward toward the shank of the hook, will catch the fish in the corner of its mouth instead of the stomach. In all cases, safe hook removal is made easy with a de-hooking tool, such as long-handled pliers.
Net your fish. Slipping a wide hoop landing net under your tired gamefish and removing the hook while your catch is still in the water is simply the best tactic for a healthy catch and release. Landing nets with rubber, knotless webbing also protect the sensitive skin and fins of your game fish.
Grippers: Gamefish can also be safely landed while using a wide variety of fish grippers. Grippers allow fisherman to grip their hooked fish with stainless steel claws and dislodge the hook, or hooks, while keeping the fish in the water. Many come with a built-in scale which weighs your catch so that a quick photo can be taken.
Wet your hands, glove and towel, etc. Avoid handling your catch with dry surfaces. The reason is to avoid removing the protective slime from the game fish’s skin, which not only helps fish swim, but also wards off infections and parasites. Dry hands and towels will pull much of the slime off.
Never jerk a fish straight up by its jaw; support it by the belly also – and don’t handle fish by the gills or eyes.
Give fish a chance to recover. When releasing your catch never toss the fish back into the water. Instead, hold the fish in the water with grippers allowing water to flow through its gills until fully revived. Once the fish is able to swim on its own, grasp the fish just ahead of its tail and push the fish headfirst back into the water.
RELATED:
Perks of Fishing the Off-Season / Grouper on the Grill
At Class Act Charters, we keep the poles bent all year. What are some benefits of booking a fishing trip during the "off season"? Well, the Fall and Winter rates are lower, the temperatures are comfortable and can be preferred compared to the hot summer months.
We’ll be catching Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Shark, Sailfish, Marlin, Wahoo, Grouper, Tuna and others. For those who thought about booking a longer trip for the bigger fish but didn’t want to deal with the melting summer heat, Fall and Winter is the perfect time to make plans to catch that bucket list fish. Some of the fish are game fish, where catch and release is required this time of year, but measuring before you release is part of the game. Others, you are able to fill the cooler and take home to cook.
One of the best fish to catch and eat is grouper. Here in South Alabama, you’ll find it cooked many different ways but below is a recipe you may or may not have tried – Southern Style Grilled Grouper. If you add a little spice blend and throw it on a hot grill and cook it to perfection, this might be your new favorite way to cook it!
Southern Style Grilled Grouper
Ingredients
1 lb. Grouper fillets
Spice Rub
1/4 teaspoon minced onions
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Preparation
1. Mix all the spice rub ingredients together and remove the grouper from the refrigerator. Cover all surfaces of the fish with a light to medium covering of the spice rub and gently rub into the grouper. Let this rest in a container outside of the refrigerator to allow it to reach room temperature before putting it on the grill.
2. Get your grill going and achieve a medium hot grill. Place the grouper fillets in a grill basket or on a grill screen with smaller holes to keep the fillet from falling apart and crumbling through the grill as it gets closer to done. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. You only need to flip it once on the grill.
3. Note: If you're unsure of whether it's fully cooked or not, you can test it with a digital meat thermometer at the center of the thickest part of the fillet. The temperature should read approximately 135° F.