A catfish newbie finally gets lucky

[Stick in Mud]

Hello gentlemen,

I've just begun fishing cats through the ice, and I finally caught a few to take home. I've just finished skinning them and getting them ready for the pan, but I've got a few questions because I've never seen a catfish fillet before.

1) There is a darker yellow meat near the top of the fillet; is this good or should I cut it out?

2) There are also some vertical red lines that look like meat as well...I don't think they're blood, anyways. They don't look very appetizing, but I haven't cut them out yet. Should I?

3) What do I do with the shiny side on the outside of the fillet? Should I try to cut this off, or just cook it as-is?

4) Why don't more people fish for catfish, and why is there a stigma among "sport" fisherman (I use the term loosely) against catfish in favor of walleyes, crappies, bass, etc.? For example, I caught eight today (some guys near me who knew what they were doing caught more) and there were guys walleye fishing who were giving us the stink-eye for having more fun than they were, but they still refused to fish for cats...weirdos, if you ask me.

Ok, that's enough questions. I'm looking forward to your replies so I can cook them up; I've never had catfish before!

Carl

[sparcebag]

Take the skin off just like flleting any fish, that dark yellow is fat remove it its strong flavored,as far as the latteral line I leave it lots of others say remove it,but try it on one and remove it on another and you decide.If cooked right there one of the best fish in Mn.-----Dont over cook.

I see ya skun em what shiney stuff?? silverly? its ok.

[DARK30]

Do a google search for "how to fillet a catfish" ...lots of info.

Catfish have always been the most popular gamefish in the united states...you just can't recognize the fisherman very good without all those patches on their cloths and stickers on their vehicles

[Ketch]

Perhaps I am reading this wrong, but you may in fact just have some of the stomach lining (the silvery stuff) on the fillet. I cut this off as well.

I also take out the lateral line and the fat line on the top of the fillet.

[Stick in Mud]

I googled for directions and figured it out OK. I definitely have the skin off; the shiny stuff i'm talking about is under the skin...it's not very thick and doesn't have much substance, but it's not on any of the other fish fillets I'm familiar with. I didn't get much belly meat off these fish because it was my first try...I'm sure I'll get better as I get more practice.

[The Chemist]

Did you skin them or filet them? I started fishing cats in the winter about 7 yrs ago. The first couple times I skinned them but I had problems skinning them.(Was hard gripping the skinner, actually painful after awhile) That's when Dennis Steele told me about fileting them. So since I have fileted them. I thus avoid any belly meat.

3. I believe that this is just a lining under the skin if you want to cut it off you can but I never have. I have been eating bullheads my whole life and when we cleaned them they would have this.

4. I tend to fish cats(in the winter) for the main reason that they aren't as targeted as other fish. Plus usually when you are catching cats you can bet you will get other types , eyes and crappies especially. Plus I like to eat cats and bullheads, cause the filets tend to be thicked and with 3 small children there aren't any bones to worry about.

[so haaad]

 Originally Posted By: The Chemist

I have been eating bullheads my whole life

That explains alot about you!!! j/k

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: carmike

4) Why don't more people fish for catfish, and why is there a stigma among "sport" fisherman (I use the term loosely) against catfish in favor of walleyes, crappies, bass, etc.?

Thats a good question and I think most of us who fish cats would just prefer these guys who fish "other" species just continue doing so, that leaves more water for us to have fun on!

My summer fishing season involves fishing for Suckers, White Bass, Channel Cats, Flathead Cats and Lake Sturgeon. That is pretty much my focus all summer until fall comes and the real good Walleye bite fires up, then I'll switch back to a popular fish.

My opinion started to change when I realized how passionate the In-Fish guys are about catfishing (Doug Stange & Steve Hoffman). Here's a couple guys that can fish for whatever they want, wherever they want, and cats are right at the top of their list as far as preferred species is concerned. I also started to fish with a couple awesome cat guides in this state (Dennis Steele and Rusty Miller) and caught their enthusiasm for the fish. Cattin' is contagious!

You are definitely right that there is a "stigma" attached to fishing for these other fish although we are seeing a bit of an attitude change lately. Don't be deterred, as long as you are having fun doing what you are doing, keep at it and don't worry about the other guys!

[Shack]

 Originally Posted By: hanson

My summer fishing season involves fishing for Suckers, White Bass, Channel Cats, Flathead Cats and Lake Sturgeon. That is pretty much my focus all summer until fall comes and the real good Walleye bite fires up, then I'll switch back to a popular fish.

Hanson,

That is how I have stuctured many of my summers the last 10 years. I will also add, exactly in that order threw out spring and summer. I start with local river in early spring for sucker's, which is an awesome time for white bass if I am lucky enough to make it down to Pool 2 or MN during this window of awesome bite time, then progress to up north channel fishing (minus my spring get out to Pool 2 or MN trip), ride the channel bit until flats are easy to snag (easier said than done), then fall time comes around for walleye fun.

It does not get any better than that! Call me low class or a backwoods thinker, but it sure is a fun though.

[sjburnt]

.

[Shack]

I forgot the main targeted fish during the summer months and sjburnt reminded me about them, "Bull Heads"

I think last summer; I fished my bull head spots just about as much as I did for cats at other spots. I did pull in the small walleyes, bass, jumbo sunnies and small crappies fishing for bull heads and I caught these fish threw out summer. It has been said before on here, but it sucks when those walleyes, bass and pan fish are biting like mad and all I want to get is a dozen bull heads quick, so I can head to the cities and fish for flats. Man that sucks azz.