i've also had a similar problem the last few months. I've had some unwanted fat on my abs and just assumed i should cut carbs to get rid of it. I started to only eat small carb meals and only at breakfast and lunch and then dextrose post workout. i kept protein very high all this time. since the fat didn't go away, i just kept on lowering carbs and upping cardio, but to no avail! i then removed one protein only meal and added in carbs to dinner(always an hour after training) and i've now achieved better results. I also know all the bodybuilding magazines are very pro carbs and advise you to take carbs with every meal.
So ja, can't really give you an answer, but i'm also very curious as to what the correct amount of protein is! but for next year i'm planning on running more carbs and less protein to see what that does