what's eatin size ?

[fish-n-geek]

I'm relatively new to catfishing, but it seems like a lot of the die-hard catfishermen are a lot like muskie fishermen - looking for BIG fish, but not supper.

What size fish do most people keep and clean? I'm assuming eating some of these horse-sized flatheads would be less than ideal flavor (ignoring the likely higher pollutant levels, etc.).

I'm guess that a couple 3-5 pound channel cats would make a good meal, no?

Thanks for any tips on this one.

-rus-

[fiskyknut]

20-22 inch Channels fry well. 26-28 inch or so Channels smoke well. I know a few folks that'll keep some pretty big ones too, some cube the meat into bite size pieces and deep fry, others smoke em, I don't think I'd wanna eat a really big one myself but to each his own I guess.

fiskyknut

[riverrat56]

1-5 lb is what most people look for from what I see, I do know a guy though who keeps the big flatties ans channels, he cleans them, then grinds up the meat and makes sausage, REALLY REALLY good, but full of nasty things that happen to be in the river water....

[Dennis Steele]

Flatheads to me are much like a musky. They are a true game fish that are sought for sport only. I don't allow clients to keep any flatheads. They all go back.

Just my 2cents...

Channels I do keep a few now and again. Mostly, I just don't care to clean fish!! Its easy to be a C&R guy when your lazy!

As with most anything if I keep them, I like them on the small side.

For cats, I like the 2 or 3lbers best. Under 20".

They fry up fast and the filets don't get all soggy from the oil. They come out crisp and delicious.

I haven't smoked cat, so not sure what size is good for smoking so I'd take Fisky's word.

I have had smoked cat (courtesy of Wiskers) and it was very good!! Course after a "few" anything salty or smoky tastes great!

The only thing I would be concerned about is that larger fish may have contaminates built up in the fatty tissue of the fish.

Two ways to help reduce these contaminates are:

Remove the mudline and all the yellow or red meat (fat)from the fillets or just keep smaller fish.

[fish-n-geek]

Thanks for all the tips. (Un)Fortunately, I don't have to decide whether to keep the flats, since there aren't any here. I'll have to get out soon and try to track down some channels, but we'll have to see if I can find the time.

Three weddings (one's mine!) and a retirement party for the folks. Going to be a busy couple months!

-rus-

[Aquaman01]

Congrats on the wedding!

Smaller cats (less than 4 or 5 lbs) cook like any other freshwater fish. No tiny sneaky bones, either - just a carp or sucker-like ribcage. It always amazes me how much of a channel cat's bulk is it's head!