Blue Dragon Charters AJs!!!

[kapoc]

We took a charter of 4 to the Blue today looking for their first AJ experance. We put to sea with 5 doz spot and croaker in the well to make their last trip and a energetic crew that was ready to do battle. We cleared the cape and started our 50 mile trip to the tower into a head on sea (thanks for missing the forcast again NOAA) so we slowly plowed our way to the spot. After 3 long hours we saw the erie shape of the tower loom out of the smoke and we pulled back the sticks and gotthe rods ready. Made one pass around to mark the fish and it looked like they were READY nothing but streaks headed up to see what the noise on top was. Out went 4 live baits and down went 4 rod tips in seconds and it remained that way all day we jigged, live baited and then i got told that there were two spinning rods that i needed to put through the ringer so we grabed a big zara spook and within 3 ft of walking the dog a 52 in AJ crushes it so i put the stops to it and after a 15 min battle we grab him then we did the same a few more times and switched to a jig and continued to crush them. Around 1:30 the charter said somthing like we catch one more and i'll have a stroke so we pointed the bow north to hit a few bouys on the way back among other things. When we got to the first few bouys we saw a trio of cobia swimming around the bouy but were being picky then the phone rings. One of the other Charter Capts at the dock was watching the weather and saw a set of boomers heaeded right down our gullets. so we bagged it and started to play dodge the storms all the 12 miles back to the dock.

Final Tally
28 Amberjack to 52 inches
1 sore crew the next day

[surfperch1]

Way to go Mike.

[Finfever21]

Pretty work congrats on the AJ massacre...

[PlaynHooky]

Nice Mike! Cant wait to nail one of those AJ's!! How slow were you going that it took you 33 hours to get there??? LOL

[kapoc]

Well you know i was thinking 3 hrs and it felt like 33 LOL thanks i din't pick up on that ......I'll get you out there soon gimme a call with your schedule on the other boat

Capt. Mike

[Chumlord]

WTG Bro!!!!

[bluefin2na]

Nice work on the AJ's Mike. We fished with Prince Friday afternoon, got a late start due to some issue with his prop. We got back just before the storms blew up. Hung out and cleaned fish in the rain. We must have just missed you. Was hoping to snag a couple AJ steaks from you :thumbup:

Mike

[surferbill]

Well you know i was thinking 3 hrs and it felt like 33 LOL thanks i din't pick up on that ......I'll get you out there soon gimme a call with your schedule on the other boat

Capt. Mike

I've heard of people eating Amberjack down in Florida, but not so much up here in Virginia.
Also, I've heard they have worms in the tail, but I'm not sure if that is true.

Do you eat AJ's, and if so do you prepare or cook them in a special way?

Inquiring minds want to know. :D

[PlaynHooky]

Oven-Baked Amberjack with Smoked Almonds

2 pounds Amberjack fillets, cut into serving size
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup hickory-smoke flavored almonds
teaspoon lemon pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
parsley sprigs and lemon wedges for garnish
Place fillets in a single layer in a well-oiled baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, salt, and lemon pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes per inch of thickness or until fish flakes easily and is no longer translucent in the center.

Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan and sauté over low heat for five to seven minutes. To serve, spoon mushroom mixture over fish. Garnish with parsley springs and lemon wedges.
Serves six.

OR MY FAV...

Blackened AJ

Ingredients
1 (1-pound) amberjack fillet
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
Cooking spray


Preparation
1. Cut fillet into 4 equal pieces. Combine paprika and next 6 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Dredge fish in spice mixture; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Coat a large cast-iron skillet with cooking spray; place over high heat until very hot. Add fish, and cook 3 minutes. Turn fish, and cook 3 to 4 additional minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Fish should look charred. (You may prefer to do this procedure outside due to the small amount of smoke that is created.)

POP open your favorite chilled beverage and enjoy!!

[kapoc]

You left out the important art ....Cut out the bloodline and after that it is AWSOME!!!

Capt Mike

[PlaynHooky]

I thought that was a given! Look forward to hookin up with you again Mike!

[striper_on]

WTG Mike thats the way to make them hurt! :D

[surferbill]

OR MY FAV...
Blackened AJ
Preparation
1. Cut fillet into 4 equal pieces. Combine paprika and next 6 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Dredge fish in spice mixture; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Coat a large cast-iron skillet with cooking spray; place over high heat until very hot. Add fish, and cook 3 minutes. Turn fish, and cook 3 to 4 additional minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Fish should look charred. (You may prefer to do this procedure outside due to the small amount of smoke that is created.)

POP open your favorite chilled beverage and enjoy!!

Thanks for the info. That's a great recipe.
I'll have to try some, if and when we catch some AJ's. :thumbup:

I thought you might give me the famous Bluefish recipe, where you season, slow cook on a board for 4 hours, then throw away the Bluefish, and eat the board. :D

[BRENDANHOFF]

WTG thats a great day!

[PlaynHooky]

That board can get purty tastey!