Apple smoked yellow perch fillets

[crazymoon]

It was time for some tasty treats,first I had to catch the perch.

The sink was full of yellow perch

Then I had to fillet them

I made up a nice brine for an overnight soak

A quick rinse in the am and then an hour to air dry to form a pellicle. Qmatz are the ticket !

A 3 hour or so stay in the smoker with apple chips. I started at 140 with no chips and after an hour I jacked up the temp to 170 and added the chips.

Vac sealed some and coworkers ate some today, I had about 70 perch (140 fillets) and we devoured quite a few today ! Thanks for looking. CM

 

[jp61]

Man, wish I could have a few lol
It's been awhile since I had yellow perch and never smoked.
All around nice job! Enjoy!

 

[gmc2003]

Yellow perch are native to Lake Champlain, but it seems like all that I catch now are white(non-native). That looks like a good haul. I've never smoked perch, it's now on my todo list.

Chris

 

[crazymoon]

Chris, the white perch smoke up just as well as the yellows,you will love em !

 

[Maple]

Looks great. Have to try something like this next time I get some perch.

 

[tropics]

CM I knew you would be posting some ice fishing pics,I miss doing that and catching them tasty fish. Points
Richie

 

[SmokinAl]

They look fantastic!
Nice job!
Al

 

[uncle eddie]

awesome pics and the fish looks awesome as well...thnx for sharing

 

[indaswamp]

Looks good. Do you mind posting your brine recipe? I would like to try it with some fish this summer. I'm wanting to make some smoked fish jerky.

 

[ab canuck]

That is a great looking batch of fish, Been a lot of yrs since I have had perch.... Like for sure..

 

[Bearcarver]

Awesome---Perch Candy!!:)
I haven't had any Yellow Perch for 2 years!!
I gotta get Bear Jr in gear this year!!
Like.

Bear

 

[crazymoon]

Looks good. Do you mind posting your brine recipe? I would like to try it with some fish this summer. I'm wanting to make some smoked fish jerky.

IDS, here is the brine recipe ,it is from a "little chief' smoker manual from 30 years ago and it is spot on for taste!
1 quart water
3-4 Tbs. non-iodized salt
1/2 cup white sugar
3 ounces of rum
1 ounce lemon juice
3 sections garlic
3 Tbs. pickling spice
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
3 bay leaves

Refrigerate overnight ,air dry for an hour in the am and then apple smoke 2 hours or so at 170 then leave in smoker until done. TASTY!

 

[indaswamp]

Thanks Crazy! Bookmarked this thread and will give it a go after the next successful fishing trip.
Are the fillets dry like jerky when finished cooking? And how many pounds of fillets will that brine recipe cover?

 

[crazymoon]

Thanks Crazy! Bookmarked this thread and will give it a go after the next successful fishing trip.
Are the fillets dry like jerky when finished cooking? And how many pounds of fillets will that brine recipe cover?

IDS, The smaller fillets were a bit like jerky as I took everything off at the same time but the rest were nice and soft . I probably had around 6-7 pounds (max) in that brine. I never weigh but go by fish count as I can get about 75 perch on my smoker racks. IMHO you will not be dissapointed w/this brine.

 

[indaswamp]

Thanks again crazy...