Anyone smoking halibut here? tried a little and it seems to be way different than the usual salmon smoking - much drier meat and all. Seems a 'secret' brine may be needed... anyone?
Any tips? Just got my Bradley and so far the salmon is awesome in it...
Halibut is a much drier fish, oilwise, than salmon. Try less salt and less time than the salmon recipes. I've tried smoked halibut but, based upon the taste/texture[xx(], I haven't tried smoking it myself....yet! I will likely give it a go in the future, just to see if I can come up with something edible, but if you hit on the right combination Swissy, I'm NOT opposed to "smoker plagiarism" here at 'The Halibut Capitol of the World' if you report success here on the forum[;)][:D][:D]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
Thanks... I tried the less salt/time route and wasn't happy... but I'll keep working at it. Haven't tried in the Bradley yet as I just got mine. There is a place here in Anchorage on Diamond and King streets (Alaska Smoked Salmon) that makes a KILLER sweet cajun smoked halibut. Guess I'll have to go ask for their recipe<i> again</i>... I do every year! [;)]
BTW, just got back from Homer... got a weekends worth of Kings and 'buts to eat and smoke... I own 5 acres on Diamond Ridge I plan on building on as soon as I retire from AFD.
Jim
Small world! I left AFD in 87...GREAT family there! Now sharing Homer with Ked Schoming and Jack Kurtzman and who knows who else from AFD[8D]
Congrats on the Kings....feeders or spawners?
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
Well well well... I hired in '91 and worked under Ked at Station 5 for a while- him and Bob Helfrich! Don't suppose you know or remember Rick 'Dinty' Moore, a paramedic? Now living in Homer down east end road?? He just happens to be my brother-in-law!! It really can be a small world!
As far as the kings go, we got a couple of really nice feeders... about 30-35#. Actually going to be back down there the weekend of the 10th for 2 weeks fishing with Rick! Doubt the kings will still be biting as good, but gotta load up on Halibut for the coming year... and the smoker trials![8D]
if I get the recipe from AK Smoked Salmon I'll let you know...
Gee, I hate to break up the fond reminiscences going on, but . . . Welcome to the Forum, Swissy! I'm with Kummock--please keep trying the halibut until you get it right and then let us all know how to do it!
John
Newton MA
Uh Oh! John caught me getting fishing reports instead of smoking up his prescription![:D][;)] Honestly John, I've got about 75-85# saved up to smoke and plan to get both Bradleys fired up W/I the next two weeks.[8D]
WOW Swissy! 30-35# Feeder!![:p][:p] That's a great catch.....our four were more in the 12-15# range, off Whale's Tail, using a "Purple Haze" Northern King flasher with single troll herring @ 40'. Heard some good size catches of the South Marker, but that's expected to be spawners up there.....NOT that I wouldn't eat/smoke a spawner mind you, but I prefer taking my chances catching small feeders than large spawners. A big one like yours, this late in the season is a rare blessing!
Ked's actually my neighbor and runs a charter business here, (http://www.alaskamorningglory.com/index.html)...had him over for fish tacos (green ling) last night. I don't remember Rick, but I also worked "Fightin' 5" back in early 80's.....Spenard was good for some VERY unique responses, e.g. the "Spenard Divorce", or the guy that chopped up his wife and put her in the fireplace and said "she fell in", (This IS a SMOKERS forum![:o)]), the "Foam Rubber Room", and MANY other bizzare runs [:0] Give us a call when you're down if you'd like to have coffee....I'll let Ked and Jack know and have our own little AFD/Homer reunion @ Captain's Coffee![:D] Call info is at www.captainscabinalaska.com
OK John, AFD reminiscing's over...now back to yanking the boat up into the yard for restocking![;)][:D][8D] Hope your Post-Op recovery is going GREAT! (Obviously your spelling's improved[;)][:D])
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
It's a small world isn't it Kummok?
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Kummok</i>
WOW Swissy! 30-35# Feeder!![:p][:p] That's a great catch.....our four were more in the 12-15# range, off Whale's Tail, using a "Purple Haze" Northern King flasher with single troll herring @ 40'. Heard some good size catches of the South Marker, but that's expected to be spawners up there.....NOT that I wouldn't eat/smoke a spawner mind you, but I prefer taking my chances catching small feeders than large spawners. A big one like yours, this late in the season is a rare blessing!
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Indeed they were nice... and damn tasty too! We grilled up a fillet that night and oh boy was she yummy. We too caught them off whale's tail- green flasher (dunno make- garage sale special I think!) with troll herring at 25' (65' deep water) we had targets all over, mostly in the 17-30' range, with occasionals at 45' and so. We were back out the next day and same targets seen, same area and no bites at all! The ones we caught on Monday were bam-bam. I was actually on the phone with my wife telling not to worry about dinner since we caught it and the second hit- she heard the 'reel magic' as I tossed the phone down! [:D]
I have a couple chunks brining right now, and will try my first smoke job in the bradley. Hope it's as good as everyone says! [;)] I'll report back once I get it done... I'll throw in a halibut chunck as well to start the 'testing' process...
Mike:
It IS a small world! The forum has a way of shrinking it though....(Go CVHS Falcons!)
Jim:
Trust me, it IS as good as everyone says.....nothing wrong with the Big and Lil Chiefs, but the Bradley will spoil ya![:D][8D][:p] Anxious to hear how you did on the 'but smoke[:p]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
Dang, waz hoping for some good receipes...just caught a couple of these last weekend.
Waiting for the Salmon fishing to get good...
Hey Birdboy....wait no longer! The Silvers (coho) are here! The Silvers are here!
Reports are coming in of large schools as close as "Green Can" and , of course, the Spit Pit! Last week I ran 26 miles to pick up some nice size Silvers at Dangerous Cape rips (well named point[:0])....now they're 1 mile offshore at the Spit![:p]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
Kummok,
We are planning an Alaska trip probably next June. We have some friends in Soldatna and thought about flying into Anchorage and driving down through Soldatna and then to Homer. How is that drive? I told my Wife about your B&B and we are going to look into that as well.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Phone Guy</i>
<br />Kummok,
We are planning an Alaska trip probably next June. We have some friends in Soldatna and thought about flying into Anchorage and driving down through Soldatna and then to Homer. How is that drive? I told my Wife about your B&B and we are going to look into that as well.
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Latter June is good, PG! Halibut, Kings (Chinook), and possibly Reds (Sockeye). If you'd like, I can send you our "Offshore fishing Info" standard letter that has some links to charters....lotsa pictures and info to get your fishing juices flowing. If I still have the boat, I'll take ya out, weather providing....we don't charter, but since I don't take money, I can be picky about who I take out [;)]
Concerning the drive down the Kenai from Anchorage, it's BEAUTIFUL! Most of our guests do their trip that way. You'd want to book everything early though, especially the rental car....June and July are the months that everyone plans ahead and reserves their transportation/lodging EARLY. August/Sept seems to be when folks take their chances and wing it on such things. Write me off-forum if you'd like my take on local info, but checking out http://www.homeralaska.org/ will give you a good idea, from the tourism marketer's perspective, on what to expect in the Homer area.
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Phone Guy</i>
<br />Kummok,
We are planning an Alaska trip probably next June. We have some friends in Soldatna and thought about flying into Anchorage and driving down through Soldatna and then to Homer. How is that drive? I told my Wife about your B&B and we are going to look into that as well.
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He's right about the drive, but then again, just about everywhere you drive in Alaska is beautiful. IIRC, Anchorage to Soldotna is about 3 hours, Homer is 1 hour more.
B&B's vary depending on their business plan, but hotel-wise, the flea-bag motels are $200 a night during tourist season. The nicer hotels are only about $225-250. Spend the extra money.
If you have the inclination to try for a monster on the Kenai, I would recommend contacting Dave at //www.hookycharters.com. First class service, nice guy. I don't have anything to compare to but was totally satisfied with our experience. We only caught 30#ers but someone in his son's boat landed a 65#.
If you have a digital camera, go out & buy more memory now. It's a lot more expensive up there & you'll take twice as many pictures as you think.
Do a lot of planning ahead of time & it will be one of your best vacations ever.[8D]
Kirk
ps, You won't find nicer hosts than Mr. & Mrs. Kummok.
http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Chez Bubba</i>
..... We only caught 30#ers......
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Only 30# salmon?!?!? You're TRULY a sourdough now! [;)][;)][}:)][:D]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
Must be nice to say "only 30#" LOL[:D][:D].Met some guys up from Washington State who caught nothing in 5 days of fishing[:(].We fished out of Nootka sound on Vancouver Island.If I had any extra I would have given the a couple but fishing was pretty slow.
Mike
Catch it,Kill it,Smoke it
Silvers (Coho) are in right now Mike.....they're in schools, right off the Spit, about a 4-5 minute run from the harbor. Last week I had to run 26 miles to get to them for some visiting friends. Hearing reports right now of "nice" sizes, around 15-20 #ers. Reckon I'll have to go catch a few tomorrow with a friend coming in tonight from Portland area......nice "entertainment" for visitors to go get into a school of Silvers, but I've become too picky anymore and, when not "entertaining friends" with Silvers and halibut, I and Sandy prefer to wait for the feeder King bite to be back on for the REALLY "good stuff"[;)][:p][:p]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
I wish I could get out there and get some coho,but my boys football is in full swing.maybe get a free weekend in September.
Mike
Catch it,Kill it,Smoke it
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Kummok</i>
<br />Hey Birdboy....wait no longer! The Silvers (coho) are here! The Silvers are here!
Reports are coming in of large schools as close as "Green Can" and , of course, the Spit Pit! Last week I ran 26 miles to pick up some nice size Silvers at Dangerous Cape rips (well named point[:0])....now they're 1 mile offshore at the Spit![:p]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
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Can you send them South?? Or do you have room on your boat for another smoke eater[:D]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by oguard</i>
<br />.......but my boys football is in full swing.....
Mike<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Fishing's a GREAT life, but you DEFINITELY have your priorities right....the fish will always be there, but the boys won't stay boys forever![^][:)]
Birdboy:
I've ALWAYS got room for fire family, unless you're wearing one-o-them stooooopid yellow "Firefighters for Kerry" t-shirts, in which case, I'll take you 26 miles out, but you gotta find your own way back..... [;)][}:)][;)][:D]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
I'll have to see what flights are running up there, man that would be cool !
H@!! No, the Local down here of course was sporting those pieces of cotton heresy so we as volunteers (ya I know a lot of union guys don't care for volunteers), got together and had a bunch of the 'Firefighters support Bush' stickers made up and started plastering them everywhere[:D] Stuck very well over their stickers [}:)]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by birdboy</i>
........H@!! No, the Local down here of course was sporting those pieces of cotton heresy so we as volunteers (ya I know a lot of union guys don't care for volunteers), got together and had a bunch of the 'Firefighters support Bush' stickers made up and started plastering them everywhere[:D] Stuck very well over their stickers [}:)]
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You're DEFINITELY welcome on MY boat!![^] I've been a proud union member (IAFF 1264) and proud volunteer (Sitka VFD) and I love EVERY one of my fire brothers and sisters, but when you get the union mob mentality cranked up to full-speed, I can't always abide their political positioning taking precedence OVER good professional fire management.....seen it happen too many times and it's an ugly baby[xx(]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA
I'm not a fire fighter but "I did sleep at the Holiday Inn Express". Does that count? [:D]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Phone Guy</i>
<br />I'm not a fire fighter but "I did sleep at the Holiday Inn Express". Does that count? [:D]
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Dang...I don't know PG....was the hotel on fire at the time? Might be able to use the shirt tail cousin clause[;)][:D]
35 years of extinguishing smoking stuff and now I'm wondering WHY!
Kummok @ Homer, AK USA