January 23rd has been named Cook Your Catch Day by the avid anglers and cuisine fans of South Padre Island. The Island is celebrating their first-ever Cook Your Catch Day with a VIP fishing trip and Chef’s table dinner for local and regional influencers, tips from fishing guides on techniques for catching different species, ideas from SPI chefs on how to make the most of every catch, and a call for the best fish stories on social media.
Enjoying freshly caught fish is a tradition on this tropical Texas island. With Island restaurants renowned for their fish recipes and great Redfish and Drum in the bay, SPI is the perfect Gulf-to-Table experience.
“The Island is not only a hub for some pretty dedicated anglers, it’s also home to very talented chefs who know how to bring out the best in fresh fish,” noted South Padre Island Convention and Visitor Bureau executive director Ed Caum, himself an avid angler and foodie.
From Redfish to Drum to Snapper to shrimp and more, this Texas fishing mecca is renowned for both talented fishing guides and a number of locally owned, chef-driven restaurants that will take fresh-caught fish from hook to plate.
“With our great winter weather and smaller crowds this time of year, it’s a perfect time to get out on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay,” said Caum. “Best of all, even if you don’t land that big one, there are multiple restaurants here with fresh fish on the menu every day.”
There are currently eight restaurants participating in the event – Blackbeards, Cap’n Roy’s, Padre Island Brewing Company, Painted Marlin Grille, Parrot Eyes Restaurant and Bar, Pier 19, Sea Ranch Restaurant and Tom and Jerry’s.
Skilled fish cleaners are available at various locations on the island. Fishing licenses are also available at several locations in Port Isabel and SPI. Participants are asked to have their catch cleaned and filleted on the dock (there are people who perform this service). Then you can transport your catch to the restaurant in an ice-filled cooler. The fish should be kept on ice.