Responsible Fishing for Fun and Table Fare

How to Incorporate Sustainable Habits into Your Fishing Practice

by Capt. Andy Ennis

Like all anglers I know, I care about conservation and do my best to do my part in my practices as a sport angler and fishing charter guide. I’m not affiliated with any particular group of conservationists because I haven’t found one that completely aligns with my sustainable fishing fundamentals, and I find that, as with any organized group, some sort of politics gets adopted so that the cause is sometimes neglected, resulting in a loss in resources.

So even though I’m not active in any groups per se, I make sure to incorporate sustainable fishing practices as an angler and as a professional guide so that I do not cause any negative impact on any fish species I encounter. For one, I highly encourage catch-and-release. I practice it properly on my own, and before any trip, I always make it a point to ask the guests who book a trip with me if they want to keep their fish. If so, I advise them strongly to keep only enough to eat and release the rest. 

I know, though, that catch-and-release, when done improperly or haphazardly, can do more harm than good, so one other thing I prioritize is responsible fish handling. I make it a point to try to minimize my contact with the fish I catch so that I do not deplete its natural slime. I do this by using a net or Boga grip and pliers to get the fish in the boat. I try to do everything in a matter of seconds — get the fish in the boat, take a picture (posting on Facebook can wait!), and then release them back in the water.

One of the newest sustainable fishing practices among eco-conscious anglers is to release anything over 20. The theory behind it is that very few inshore fish populations grow up to 20 inches. This applies to several different fish species, like speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead. Imagine, out of a thousand fry, only four can make it up to 20 inches. That makes them super rare and must therefore be protected. So whenever I catch them, I always try to release them. And I encourage my guests to do the same, whether freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing.

Another side of this responsible fishing practice is fishing just enough for table fare so as not to avoid food waste and contributing to the depletion of the fish population. It's how you, as a recreational angler, can help prevent overfishing in your own way. I advise my guests to do so all the time. Fishing for table fare is fun, especially if you have kids around. Letting them see the various benefits of fishing is a sure way of making them fall in love with the sport.

I love to eat — nothing beats eating seafood you’ve caught with your bare hands (figuratively, of course). My family loves to eat as well. And we all love fish! Because of my love for eating, I’ve also come to love cooking. I have a few recipes up my sleeve as a certified foodie, but there’s one crowd-pleaser I want to share: the crispy speckled trout. Not a lot of people like trout because it’s not as firm as some fish. But my family loves it! It’s so simple to make. Just follow the steps below:

1. Dredge the filleted fish in an egg

2. Then cover the fish in panko bread crumbs 

3. Dredge the breaded fish once more

4. Cover the fish with one more layer of breadcrumbs

5. Heat peanut oil up to 365 degrees

6. Drop the fish fillet and cook for 4 minutes or until it’s golden brown

You can serve it as is or with sides. My kids love it served over a bed of noodles, topped with marinara sauce and some sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

To ensure my fish is fresh enough to eat, I bleed my catch on the boat. Then I submerge the bled fresh fish in an ice bath — just a couple of gallons of good water made cold with ice. Then when I get home, I drain the water off and keep the fish on ice overnight. After cleaning the fish, I pat the flesh dry with a paper towel and store it in the fridge until I’m ready to cook. A reminder — once you’ve thawed your frozen fish, be sure to cook it right away. You can’t freeze it back up. 

When you book a fishing trip with me, you can be sure that we’ll partake only in responsible fishing practices while making wonderful memories in the water. If you haven’t tried catch-and-release, I will teach you the proper ways so that you can incorporate it on your own. If you’re keeping your catch, we’ll catch just enough for you and your family or group to eat. I’ll even give you some of my recipes! I know quite a lot because I have four kids with very different palates! Our target catch includes redfish, rockfish, southern flounder, spotted weakfish, striped bass, summer flounder, and sea trout. We try a range of techniques to catch them, including spinning, light tackle, popping, and jigging. 

Together with my crew, you’ll discover the beauty of fishing in the Outer Banks, especially inshore fishing which is the region’s best! Just ask any recreational angler in the area! You can expect to fish the OBX area with me: Atlantic Ocean, Roanoke Marsh, Croatan Sound, Manns Harbor, Wanchese, Roanoke Island, Manteo, Stumpy Point, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills. No need to worry about fishing gear. I have them on board with my GPS, fish finder, ice box, and live bait. So really, all you need to secure is your fishing license. And don’t forget to bring some drinks and snacks, too, because fishing will get you hungry with all that action.

Next time you’re in the Outer Banks area, carve out time to experience the fishing here because it is one of the best in North America, if I say so myself. If you still don’t believe me, check out my website and my Facebook page, where we’ve got fishing reports, reviews from guests, and a gallery of photos of our successful fishing trips. If this all sounds good, contact me at any time, and we’ll schedule you for a round of exciting - and responsible! - Outer Banks fishing here in North Carolina.