Channel Cat Fillet Color

[kiowa]

I filleted my first catfish yesterday (healthy looking 3 lber) and noticed that meat between the ribs and the dorsal fin was yellow to orange in color, while everything from the ribs to the tail had a "nicer looking" pink color.

Is this normal, is the yellow/orange meat usually avoided if seen, will my wife eat it or does it taste bad?

[itchmesir]

i've seen yellowed catfish fillets before.. use to work at a restaurant that would get in fresh caught catfish off the 'sippi.. they taste fine

[pushbutton]

Bleed it out before you clean it next time. It still probably will have a hue to it but will look more palatable to the Mrs. If you starting getting much bigger than that would maybe take out the mud line and lower belly meat. Also make sure you get all the silver tissue off the skin side. Those are the things that will affect flavor. Enjoy!

[Comit 2]

It is fat. That is all.

[slipperybob]

It's usually more colorful in that section.

[live4chrome]

You can also. Soak the fillets in milk overnight to help remove muddy taste

[Selmer]

I always cut the yellow flesh out of the fillets. Gets rid of any "off" taste. That and dark meat off the skin side. Leaves great tasting flesh behind!