I have been out of the "offshore fishing" scene for a number of years. Recently purchased a used 30'CC and want to go for it...I used to troll with what was called a "Russel Lure" but don't think they are available anymore. Could I get some feedback on what to use these days? Dorado?

Also,never ate Amberjack but I see quite a few positive comments on eating them...any tasty recipes or favorite methods of preparing them? Any responses will be appreciated...

Amberjack have mixed reviews as table fair. I personally love them and are at the very top of my list of reef fish to eat. I personally like them blackened the best. I will say I have never eaten one over 35-40 pounds.

I do not keep kingfish to eat, but some people also like them, probably less kingfish lovers than amberjack lovers.

Congrats on the new boat. I can offer you no help on trolling.

Thanks...looking forward to trying that approach..also liked blackened redfish. I never liked kingfish either..no matter how its fixed...It's a USED boat...going to name it LAST BOAT III.

Russel Lures are still available. Google them and you'll be able to find where to get 'em.

AJ is great table fare. I've eaten them up to about 70 lbs and they're great. The only reef fish that's better is grouper.

You'll have the best luck find them in water over 180 feet. Live piggy perch are excellent bait. The bigger the better. Fish 'em just off of bottom.

Snapper Slapper lures tipped with sardine will work well too. Really, any large jib will work on them if you don't have live bait.

I pick up piggies in the marina before heading offshore. Sabiki rigs tipped with a pinch of shrimp tail, next to pilings will fill the bait well pretty quick.

I don't care for kings very much either but have found if you grill the fillets over mesquite then flake the meat and make a "tuna fish" salad it is very well received by most.

Your missing out on king fish (King mackeral). Wrap bacon around 1-1/2" thick king fish steaks and secure them with toothpicks, throw the steaks on the BBQ grill and use your favorite BBQ sauce.

Phantom and Huckleberry are right on

That is definitely what is needed to make them tasty to my pallet. Bacon grease can make a variety of things edible and the strong flavor of bbq sauce will help as well. You have talked me into trying them again.

Thanks Mike...I appreciate the help! Billy M.

Thanks...that's a new one...sounds very good...Billy M.

Thanks, I will definitely try that...Billy M.

AJ is very good eating in my opinion, with one caveat - larger AJ may (I said "MAY", not "WILL") have ciguatera toxin accumulated in their bodies. Had a two week bout with that nasty illness a few years back and the only reef fish it could possibly have come from was a 54# AJ I'd caught & eaten from recently.

On the bright side, ciguatera toxin is rare in Texas gulf waters.

IMHO, Kingfish are good in a fryer... I make a beer batter and served them at last years Dove season opener. Even guys that don't eat fish tried them and liked them.... Ok there was also large amounts of beer being consumed, so that could have thrown the taste buds of my fellow hunters.....

Russell lures are available at BASS. Fresh kingfish is OK if you grill the steaks after marinating them for an hour in Italian salad dressing. 10 min each side on a medium fire. I have also smoked kingfish. I fillet the 4 backstrap type fillets, lengthwise and smoked them like you would salmon. Very good and makes a great spread or dip. Again, do it before you freeze them. Kingfish doesn't freeze well, IMO.