By Jessica Hendrie
Imagine yourself on a sunny morning in Florida, the kind where the sky is clear, and the ocean is calling your name. You’re on a boat, sunglasses on, the wind blowing through your hair wondering how am I going to get these knots out later?! The target today? American Red Snapper. Red snapper fishing is one of those Florida experiences that makes you want to come back for me every time. You drop your line into the deep blue, the anticipation begins as it starts to hit bottom. The moment it happens, adrenaline kicks in. AR’s are fighters and they don’t just come up quietly. They dart and dive and make you work for every inch of line you reel in. That is, if a shark doesn’t get it first. You must be quicker than that! But the battle is only part of the fun. Once you finally see color under the water and catch the red glare, you know and hope that victory is near. The fish will come up glistening in the sun and you’ll have a big sigh of relief with maybe a sore arm. But it’ll all be worth it. You have just caught yourself one of the tastier fish in the water. It doesn’t end there, now comes the best part! Cooking your catch! The beauty of the American red snapper is that its flavor is mild and perfect for a variety of preparations. One of the most delicious and simplest ways to cook AR is to grill it. Imagine the fish sizzling on the grill, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice causing the skin to crackle slightly. Adding a pinch of sea salt, pepper, and my favorite garlic butter will enhance it just enough. The smoke smell from the grill complements the sweet, flaky meat perfectly. But if grilling your catch isn’t your thing, he’s another favorite of mine: pan seared red snapper. Heat up a skillet with some garlic infused olive oil, then lay the fish skin-side down, pressing it slightly to get a nice, crispy finish. Flip it over just once, letting the flesh cook until it’s tender and juicy. Serve it up with a side of tropical mango salsa or a fresh avocado salad, and you’ve got a meal that practically sings with the flavors of rewarding fishing. As I always say, fishing offers way more than just a day fishing offshore. It’s an adventure, a memory, a story told again and again, dinner and the goal to get back out and do it all over again. So, get fishing and go catch yourself dinner!