Pecks Lake Makeral 11/6

[robalorog]

I was in the Keys working for almost a month and just got back last week. I only got to take the boat out down there a few times and was ready to get back on the water here. I read Scubadudes report and was really wanting some dip so I decided to make a quick trip to Pecks Lake. The night before my son Stephen made a face plant in the kitchen and busted his lip and bloodied his nose. I am always yelling at my kids to stop running in the house and this is why. By morning his lip was stilll swollen so we kept him from school. Didnt want the teacher to think I was the one that gave him the fat lip. Stephen was not letting me go fishing solo. Got to sandspirit around 10:30 and half the parking lot was filled on a Monday. I knew Pecks would be packed. Seas called for 2-3 but were 1-2 on the beach. beautiful day to be on the water, sun was out but not real hot. Put a few Macks in the box pretty quickly. I trolled a mack on wire with a stinger hoping to get a big King but only got the tail slashed. Finished up with my limit after a short trip. Fun day on the water with my son. On the way out there were 4 fwc at the ramp and when I came in there were 7 fwc trucks in the parking lot. Not sure what was going on. I will probably head back out to Pecks in a few weeks when I run out of dip. How are you guys making your dip? Might wanna try something different with some of this fish. This is how I make it.
1. coat fillets in kosher salt for about 15 mins.
2. rinse fillets then smoke
3. add mayo or cream cheese
4. sometimes a little relish or celery

pretty simple but always taste good. If I use cream cheese I usually thin the dip with milk because once it gets cold it stiffens up. Stephens smile is not just because he caught fish, it is also because his brothers are still in school.

[Fi$h2nguyen]

Perfect day to spend with your son. Bet he was glad you hit him, I mean glad he tripped. :D

[robalorog]

Perfect day to spend with your son. Bet he was glad you hit him, I mean glad he tripped. :D

My kids get thier whoopens on the bottom where it should be.

[flatsfisher]

nice job out there, and it looks like your son falling payed off well in the end haha

[Intheslot]

Thanks for the report, spanish do make great dip.

Since you asked, for my recipe I use 2 parts mayo, 2 parts sour cream and one part ranch dressing, diced onions, salt, garlic salt and pepper and it's the best I've ever tasted. I'm convinced that it really doesn't matter as long as the fish is ground and the ranch dressing is in there, which I learned that from a good ol' boy one night camping. I use a food processor or a blender to grind the fish up, this really makes a difference if you haven't tried it versus chopping.

[robalorog]

Thanks for the report, spanish do make great dip.

Since you asked, for my recipe I use 2 parts mayo, 2 parts sour cream and one part ranch dressing, diced onions, salt, garlic salt and pepper and it's the best I've ever tasted. I'm convinced that it really doesn't matter as long as the fish is ground and the ranch dressing is in there, which I learned that from a good ol' boy one night camping. I use a food processor or a blender to grind the fish up, this really makes a difference if you haven't tried it versus chopping.

I always chop. Gotta try the grinding and the ranch.

[snook87]

I smoke on high heat for the first 45-60mins depending how much and how thick then low heat and plenty of wood chips(usually smoke out my neighbors)for 2-4hrs all depending on how much and how thick. Cream cheese and sour cream mixed with fresh herbs to taste. I usually sell out within a hour after making. That smoke really gets people's taste buds going!

[Intheslot]

I always chop. Gotta try the grinding and the ranch.

You won't be disapointed.