Report: Did pretty good today on the rock fish..

[SeaRanchAbLingr]

Dove Monterey/Carmel. Not the best viz, but totally do-able. Looking at a dark bottom at depth wasn't much fun with the viz the way it was so sorry-no Cabs or Lings, but found that we could still get fish by hitting the bottom scanning the immediate area for for bottom dwelling rock fish around kelp stalk bases and then if none were found, scanning up and around for silhouettes of rock fish in the water column against the surface light. Resulted in two mixed limits (two guys) of Blacks, Blues, Olives, Kelpies, etc..all destined for tortillas

Speaking of which, what's the best fry recipe to get some nice CRISPY fish without a deep fryer? What kind of oil, how high the heat, etc..the less mess the better, although I realize that this may not be possible.

P.S. Hoop "stringer" is NOT mine ok...it is owned by another SB member who will go unnamed, although don't worry-he wasn't on Scuba..

[Mobius1]

i am by no means an expert i prefer peanut oil. im kind of drunk but if its small er chunks id say 450 to 500 maybe 550 for smaller fillet chunks
get a nice deep cast iron skillet and heat the oil iwth a thermomiter have a extinguisher incase you get a flare up.
whatever batter you want i usually use tempura.

[fishkabobz]

500 degree oil anything is asking for a new kitchen remodel due to fire damage. Do not ask how I know this.

[ocean_314]

We do it without oil. Try chunking the fish and dipping in egg white then roll in crushed corn flakes. Bake at 475% for 15 minutes.

[el newbo]

I like canola oil, doesn't add any flavor much flavor. just put enough in a large skillet ( I use a wok) to cover the fish. Put the burner on med-high and wait for the oil to get hot, hold your hand over and if you can't hold it there for more than 3 or 4 seconds u should be good to go

[Daryl Bulloch]

I use peanut oil to make beer battered ____ (insert any species) fish all the time. Peanut oil has a really high smoke point, and doesn't impart a strong flavor on the fish. Just take some pancake batter and add a little beer at a time while stirring until it's a nice and thick syrupy texture. Chunk your fish up and stir around in the batter while the oil heats up. Keep the oil on medium heat so you don't risk burning it, and wait until little bubbles start forming in the oil. Use a pair of tongs to pick out the battered fish pieces, making sure to let excess batter drip off (unless you like tons of batter). Drop it into the oil, and let it chill until the batter turns a little brown. Take it out of the oil and place onto a mat of paper towels to drain off the excess oil. I think you know what to do from there...
I've seasoned the pancake mix before, but I've found that using a good beer is the key to the process (tip- do NOT use Icehouse, it's disgusting). I prefer a nice Mexican beer like Dos Equis Amber.

[Trimbandit]

Nice haul dude.

Originally Posted by SeaRanchAbLingr

P.S. Hoop "stringer" is NOT mine ok...it is owned by another SB member who will go unnamed, although don't worry-he wasn't on Scuba..

What's wrong with a hoop stringer? I keep one on my kayak and dive board.

[Everdai]

yeah i was curious about the stringer comment as well? It's... a stringer, who cares what kind it is? Do you hang on to all your fish between your teeth or what?

[matt mattison]

I agree I use a hoop stringer while free diving just hang it off my float. a strnger is a stringer right ? it is all good as long as it holds the fish right ?

[SeaRanchAbLingr]

Nothing that wrong with a hoop stringer per say...other than I think line stringers are more practical for free diving when wearing on ones person, not off a kayak, etc. But they do seem to be more associated with scuba diving and we weren't scuba diving. Just messing with my buddy more than anything I suppose...sorry for the "inside joke"

[matt mattison]

it's all good your suspose to mess with your dive buddies.

[NihilisticMisanthropist]

try this... flour, eggwhites, panko bread crumbs. yes, in that order. press hard on the fish to get the panko to stick, and fry golden brown. panko produces the BEST texture you can possibly ask for when fried. the type of oil depends on what i am serving it with. you can usually find panko bread crumbs in the the asian/international isle, if they are not located with the other bread crumbs.

[Fishkiller12]

olive oil