Bass

[Down to Earth]

More of a consumption question than a recipe, but thought I'd ask here. I assume I am most others who eat fish do not eat Bass(large or smallmouth). What is it about them that people don't like. When I think of a fish dinner I think of crappies, bluegills, walleye, and/or northerns. Do bass just not taste good? There seems to be an adequate population of them in most lakes I fish. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[SilverLakeBoy]

DTE: The only people I know who eat these are southern implants, They also relish the catfish available in our small rivers and lakes . I've tryed Pickling them, smoking them, cubing them up and deep fying them, removing the lateral line and soaking them in milk, cadjun spices and grilling them. The only thing close to edible was par boiling cubing then broiling and dipping in melted butter, with enough wine involved in the cooking prosses they were edible but not my favorite. I do however fish with one local MN guy that will eat them, but i think the beer has gotten the best of his taste buds.

[Whopper Stopper]

They taste the way they smell.About the only way we can get them down is to soak them in milk.

[bigdog]

Wow. I eat bass and think they taste just fine. The meat is a little softer than other fish, I coat them in shore lunch and fry. Never had anyone complain either. The only time that they have ever tasted fishy was if I left some of that silver lining from the stomach cavity on the meat. To avoid that I fillet down to the rib cage then cut through the skin and leave the rib/belly meat on the carcass.

[climbmda]

Wow, me too!

I have been eating bass, both LM and SM for years. I grew up fishing them, and eating them. I've pan fried them in cornmeal flour, butter fried, shore lunched, etc. My friends and family eat them as well. My favorite way to eat them is grilled over low heat charcoal or flame, right on the skin, while basting with lemon/garlic butter. One of my favorite fish meals, of any species.

Just my $.02

[Guest]

marinade in Itallian dressing for an hour and grill-yum

[CrappieMagnet]

The only thing i have too say bout eating bass,is the smaller the bass,the better it tastes. The larger ones taste fishier,but i have a recipe i've been using for a few years nowso give it a try.....

Bass Marsala:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon margerine or butter
2lbs.bass skin removed,cut in half crosswise
2/3 cup Marsala wine
1/3 cup snipped fresh parsley
1/8 teaspoon oregano leaves

In a shallow dish,combine flour and salt.Dredge fillets in flour mixture to coat.In a 12 inch skillet,heat oil and margerine over medium heat until margerine is melted.Add fillets.Fry for 4-8 minutes,or until golden brown,turning over once.Add Marsala,parsley and oregano to fish in skillet.Cook for 2-4 minutes,or until sauce is reduced by half,spooning sauce over fish frequently during cooking.Serve fish with the sauce.

ENJOY!

CM