After an eventful trolling adventure at Leicester Island on the outskirts of Shoalwater Bay in the Blue Boat, we scored a good-eating-size coral trout and couldn’t resist taking it home. Mood Swings, our trusty mother ship, was stocked with a few new culinary tricks and we were itching to put them to the test to find out the best way to cook Coral Trout!
But this wasn’t just any typical catch-and-cook situation for boaties like us. This time, we were determined to push the boundaries of boat cuisine and experimented with our brand-new air fryer.
We also had two exciting spice options – a classic Herbie’s Spices – Aussie Fish Seasoning with Indigenous Spices and our favourite Moroccan Spice Blend.
This blog post dives into the battle of two different seasonings, complete with a recipe for both options so you can try it at home.
Every Catch and Cook starts with Catching – Trolling for Coral Trout
Craving some fresh coral trout? Trolling is one thrilling way to target these feisty fish!
It involves slowly dragging fishing lures or baits through the water behind your boat, mimicking the movement of small fish or prey.
In our latest video, we show you exactly how to troll for coral trout, from picking the right fishing lures to landing the prize.
In the video, you can see us setting up our gear and discussing the best trolling strategies for this area. And experimenting with the best way to cook coral trout.
IMPROVE YOUR FISHING WITH FREE ‘BIG PICTURE’ PRESENTATION
One of the great reasons for my success as a charter guide has been the years of experience with my fish finder.
Sign up to watch this presentation (and a 5 special tips email series afterwards) and get onto bigger fish faster.
We cover…
Fishing structure that doesn’t actually hold fish
Confusing bait and rocks,
Confusing big fish with small fish
Fishing above or below the fish
Not fishing the most productive locations!
The Gear We Used For Trolling [Recap]
- Electronics: GARMIN 8412 and GT51 transducer (find out why >>here)
- Rod: Quantum Smoke HD 200 baitcaster.
- Reel: 8-10kg Sabre blank Custom Rod (Salty dog custom rods by Ron Farren).
- Line: 20lb Rovex Viros braid.
- Leader: 60lb Ande leader.
- Lures: RMG Scorpion (3m) lure.
Click here to download our gear and tackle cheet sheet for all Ryan’s favourites from lures, rods, line and hooks to electronics.
Air-fried Coral Trout with Assorted Seasonings
Ingredients:
- 8 Coral trout fillets, skin removed
- 1 cup rice flour
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Maroccan Spice Blend or Aussie Fish Seasoning with Indigenous spices (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Filleting:
- Start by filleting your Coral Trout and cut the flesh into bite size pieces – Make sure to sharpen your knife the right way!
- Preparation:
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pat dry the coral trout fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Seasoning:
- In a small bowl, combine the rice flour with Morroccan/Aussie Fish Seasoning, adjusting the quantity according to your preference for seasoning intensity. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Oil Mixture:
- In another bowl, mix together the olive oil, melted butter, and red wine vinegar to create a flavourful oil mixture.
- Dipping:
- Dip each coated fillet into the oil mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Coating:
- Lightly coat each coral trout fillet with the seasoned rice flour mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
- Air Frying:
- Carefully place the seasoned and coated coral trout fillets into the preheated air fryer basket
- Air fry the fillets at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through, with a crisp exterior.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, carefully remove the air-fried coral trout fillets from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving platter.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
- Serve hot alongside your favourite side dishes, such as a crisp garden salad or steamed vegetables, for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Tips:
Go easy on the store-bought seasoning:
We learned this lesson the hard way while experimenting with the best way to cook coral trout (Don’t worry, it was a delicious mistake for some of us!). A lighter hand with the pre-made blends allows the natural flavour of the fish to shine.
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket:
Give your coral trout some breathing room! This ensures even cooking and that all-important crispy skin.
Crispy Skin Boost:
Preheat your air fryer to a higher temperature (around 220°C/425°F) for the first few minutes of cooking. This will give you that extra bit of crispiness.
Herb Experimentation:
Prefer fresh herbs and spice? No worries! Feel free to sub in some thyme, rosemary, or even a pinch of dried dill. Play around and find your favourite herb combo.
This recipe is just a jumping-off point. Also feel free to experiment with different spice blends to find your own favourite flavour.
Cajun seasoning, a Moroccan-inspired mix, or even a simple lemon pepper combo would all be delicious.
Final Thoughts: Cooking Coral Trout Face-Off
After trying out
After trying out both Moroccan and Aussie seasonings in our coral trout cook-off, it’s clear that both brought their own flair to the table.
So we don’t have a definitive answer on the best way to cook coral trout.
The Moroccan spices gave the trout an exotic kick, while the Aussie seasoning kept things local with coastal flavours. But hey, there’s no clear winner here.
It’s all about personal taste. Whether you prefer the exotic punch of Moroccan spices or the down-to-earth Aussie vibe, it’s all good.
So next time you’re cooking coral trout, experiment with different seasonings and trust your taste buds. Because at the end of the day, the best way to cook coral trout is the way that makes you happy.
Become a Master Angler with Ryan Moody Fishing
Feeling inspired to experiment with the best way to cook coral trout? Take your fishing skills to the next level with our online courses.
Our comprehensive courses cover everything from essential fishing techniques to species-specific strategies and Catching Coral Trout is next in line!
Remember the best way to get onto good fish is to learn how to use your fish finder.
We have two courses, Sounder Skills 1 and 2 and you can find more info on them here >> Sounder/Fish Finder courses.
In addition, here are a few more free resources you may find helpful and entertaining.
