Virginia Saltwater Fishing

To clean spot and croakers:

1. Scale the fish with a manual or electric fish scaler. While holding the fish with one hand, use the tool to remove all scales. You must run the scaler from tail to head in order to get the scales off. The skin should be smooth when all scales are gone. Rinse well.

To clean whole fish:

Removing fins

2. Cut the fish’s head off. make the cut at the back of the fish’s gills. Cut through at this point.

3. Cut from the belly back to the vent, avoiding all organs. Remove all organs, saving the fish roe if any is found.

4. Cut off the tail and fins.

To fillet fish:

Atlantic Croaker

2. Cut behind the gill, from back down to flank.

3. Holding the fish firmly, slice forward from the tail fin to the vent (about 1-2 inches), making a clean cut down to the bone.

4. Working from the top, slice along the skeleton, connecting from head to tail. Follow downward, cutting the meat away from the ribs.

5. Rinse the fish and place on ice immediately.

Fried fish

Pan Fried Spot – Croaker

Ingredients:

8-12 fillets or 4-6 whole fish
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse and drain fillets.

2. Soak fillets in a mixture of egg and milk.

3. Using a zipper bag, shake fillets in flour, salt and pepper.

4. Fry in oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Ingredients

8 oz. cooked fish – striped bass, black sea bass, tautog or other white fish with firm, flaky meat.
1 large potato, peeled and diced
1 small tomato, diced and seeds removed
1 small onion, diced
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
2 cups (1 can) chicken stock or fish stock
1 cup milk
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
salt to taste

1.  Bring stock to a boil and add vegetables, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften. Add fish and set aside.

2.  In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tbsp. butter, add 2 tbsp. flour and cook until browned slightly.  Add one cup cold milk and simmer until mixture starts to thicken. Simmer vegetables and fish, slowly adding the milk mixture.

3.  Simmer 5 minutes, add small amounts of milk to thin or flour to thicken.

4.  Remove from heat and serve. Sprinkle with a small amount of fresh chopped parsley, chives or cilantro and red pepper.

Note:

This hearty chowder makes a simple and delicious lunch. It can be improved by adding diced shrimp, crabmeat, scallops, clams, oysters or other seafood.