Making the Most Out of Fishing
Deep Color Fishing's Captain Hank Valencia shares his favorite fish taco recipe and talks about why fishing is a blessing.
Why Fishing is a Blessing
I’ll be honest, being a captain and a fishing guide is a grind sometimes. Especially when we are having a tough time getting a bite and the weather conditions are not cooperative. We all know that fishing can be unpredictable — days out in the water are almost always absolutely uncertain. Even when I’ve been fishing all my life, I can’t exactly say what Mother Nature has in store for me for the day. It gets challenging if I’m on a fishing trip with clients for Deep Color Fishing. I always want those who come along with me to explore and catch fish in the beautiful waters of St Petersburg, Florida, to have the experience of a lifetime. But we have to be realistic. We have to accept that some days, we are able to reel in and hook a ton of fish or big fish. And on other days, we might spot some but won’t have any bites. That being said, I believe anytime we get to spend in some of the most amazing waterscapes is already a success within itself!
All in all, fishing is amazing! It’s a blessing! Whether or not I’ve managed to bag a lot of fish with clients, we still get to experience the beauty of it. And every time we do it, we can improve our skills as an angler. Experiencing God's creation on the water is truly a blessing, and the best part is hanging out with people on their vacations or days off. I love bringing clients to a favorite fishing spot or a known angling paradise and putting them on a wide range of fish species. I want them to leave the experience with my fishing charter believing and feeling they’ve made lifelong memories. I believe that’s what it’s all about! Fishing isn’t all about catching fish, it’s also a great way to spend some quality time with those you care about or even just yourself. I think fishing is proof that God is certainly good and loves us!
Another perk of being a fishing guide is connecting with people who share the same passion as I do. I bring people who book with Deep Color Fishing to Florida’s deep sea sites on the west coast to do some saltwater fishing — my favorite type of angling. I love targeting saltwater fish in deeper water (offshore fishing) because of the variety of conditions provided to me as an angler. It’s always fun to go after different fish because it helps you broaden your knowledge and skill. I love showing my clients how fun it is to be able to know how to land numerous fish species. I’m also passionate about delivering to them how important it is to consider our natural resources and the environment to make the most out of their fishing experience. It’s fine if you want to focus on a particular target and be an expert on it, but knowing how to chase various live fish is something you can brag about!
My relationship with Guidesly is new but exciting. This means I can connect with more people who also love fishing. Captains and fishing guides like me or anyone with a fishing license can share useful fishing tips, rave about our fishing gear, and share stories about some of our favorite fishing experiences. Guidesly’s unique but passionate approach to this fishing world has made me feel very grateful that I’m partnered with them. Because of this company, more people can see how going on a fishing adventure with me and Deep Color Fishing will let them create some of the best memories they’ll ever have!
I’ve seen other captains and guides share their favorite way to eat fish, so I’m glad I can share mine as well! My favorite way to cook fish might not be to cook it at all — sushi! My son and I love sushi. We think it’s the best way to eat fresh wild fish. But if we had to add some heat to the equation, I cooked it by just simply pan-frying the fish. I just season whatever fish I have (whether it’s trout, mackerel, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, etc.) with salt and pepper and fry until it’s golden brown or charred. I usually skip coating and frying the fish in batter and often make tacos! Ceviche is a household favorite. We prepare the ceviche by making a pico de gallo in which we add chopped tomatoes, red onion, green onion, cilantro, garlic, imitation crab (because it’s more affordable), shrimp, and chunks of fish of your choice. All of it should be raw. Season it with salt, pepper, and a dash of tomato sauce for that pop! Finally, drizzle with some freshly squeezed lime juice and let it rest in the fridge for at least six hours. You’ll discover that the smaller fish bites we’ve added have cooked and become firm because of the time it took to marinate. We then put the ceviche onto tortilla chips or tostada shells. Drop some hot sauce (I recommend Tapatio) on that baby for added heat and ‘Welcome to the party, pal!’
If you want to make the most out of fishing, you should be able to appreciate everything it provides us. I’ve talked about the connections it can forge and how it can sustain us and help us thrive. I want to continue being the conduit between aspiring and avid anglers and the blessing fishing is. If you’ve found yourself around the southwest Florida area, please come see me and Deep Color Fishing and let’s make some wonderful memories together! My fishing charter will take care of the fishing equipment, live bait or artificial lures, and everything else you’ll need if you book with us. My crew and I will make sure your experience with us will be safe and enjoyable. If we help you catch a couple of fish, we can clean and fillet them so you can try out my fish taco recipe! You can find out more about us through our website and Facebook page. Tight lines!
