There is no form of fishing I am better at than bottom fishing in the ocean. And here in the West, that means rockfish (rock cod) and lingcod. Here’s how to catch more, from gear to technique, to little tricks and tips that have helped me over the years.
rock cod
Kelp Pasta with Rockfish
Kelp pasta. Not pasta made from slivered kelp fronds, but real pasta with homemade kelp powder added. It makes a briny, emerald noodle that I served with the Pacific rockfish that swam among the kelp, along with summer vegetables. It’s a culinary experiment worth repeating.
Red Snapper with Cherry Tomatoes
Hooray! The first tomatoes of the season are here in NorCal! This, as usual, coincides with the Pacific rock cod opener, and as I got a gorgeous vermillion rock cod (commonly known as a red snapper here), I thought I’d celebrate the two with this dish.
Grilled Redfish on the ‘Half Shell’
I don’t normally get excited about rockfish. They are easy to catch, and are often small. But recently in Alaska, I caught a gigantic yelloweye rockfish. I was giddy, and knew exactly what to do with it: Grilled redfish, or in this case “orange fish,” on the half shell.
A Simple Fried Fish Sandwich
I know I do a lot of fancy food here on HAGC, but sometimes I just want easy. After a great rock cod fishing trip in Oregon last week, I felt like a fish sandwich. A really good one, with homemade tartar sauce.