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Keepers? #10966872 07/09/15 10:00 PM
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Suvi Offline OP
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Thought to ask here, since you all seem to be quite knowledgeable... I usually fish for bass, but recently catching catfish only.

Which ones are worth keeping, or taste the best? Size? I find bass easier to clean and they don't gurgle at me... nor have spikes that I have to be really careful about. But, since they are biting, may need to keep'em food

I fish Lewisville, if that makes a difference.

Thanks
S.

Wet Rooster Jigs Fishing Super Store
Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10966878 07/09/15 10:06 PM
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mjmetro0719 Offline
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I prefer to eat the ones 1lb to 5lbs, that is just my preference. I think a majority will say up to ten pounds but I like the smaller ones.


Mike
Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10966881 07/09/15 10:06 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline
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I prefer the 1 to 3 pounders.


Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!


Re: Keepers? [Re: mjmetro0719] #10966887 07/09/15 10:12 PM
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taterpop Offline
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Originally Posted By: mjmetro0719
I prefer to eat the ones 1lb to 5lbs, that is just my preference. I think a majority will say up to ten pounds but I like the smaller ones.
A+ on the 1 to 5 also to me the hotter it gets the more the biggens taste off. If I catch a limit I would like 1/2 of them to be small enough to fry or bake whole.

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10966902 07/09/15 10:19 PM
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Suvi Offline OP
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Thanks all!! Any kind taste better than others?

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10966987 07/09/15 11:04 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Suvi
Thanks all!! Any kind taste better than others?


To me, channels and blues caught from a lake taste the same. But if you want the very best tasting, catch a batch of channel cats from the San Marcos river. Cooler water and no yellow fat along the backbone. Their diet is more crayfish, hellgramites, minnows and worms. Maybe a few grasshoppers at times.


Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!


Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967020 07/09/15 11:22 PM
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J/\Y Offline
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anything over 8 pounds tastes bad in my opinion.
plus, i have respect for them, if it can live that long,
i have hard time with keeping them.so, i let em go

Last edited by J/\Y; 07/09/15 11:22 PM.

Jay
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"Screw it, I'm going fishin"
Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967058 07/09/15 11:46 PM
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Muzzlebrake Offline
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The legal minimum size is 12" but I throw those back since they don't yield a very good filet. A fat 14" cat will filet nicely. After about 5 lbs the ribs are a bear to cut thru with my Electric knife. If I need some fish for a fish fry I will keep one up to about 8 to 10 lbs. If it's a Flathead then 15 to 20 lbs. Flatties are the best eating by far to me. Perfect size is 1-1/2 to 3 lbs.


From Genesis: "And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth."

Then He made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967070 07/09/15 11:51 PM
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uncle_bagster Offline
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Originally Posted By: Suvi
Thanks all!! Any kind taste better than others?


Where I live, river flatheads are considered the best. Channels and blues generally taste better from rivers than from lakes. Fillet your cats and you'll most likely find them easier to clean that bass.

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967186 07/10/15 12:52 AM
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Blues Offline
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Never had a flathead I didn't like. Blues over 10lbs have too much red meat and fat for me. Channels gotta be 14+ inches before I'll mess with them.

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967272 07/10/15 01:34 AM
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Chemdawg Offline
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i like the ones 12-18in

Re: Keepers? [Re: Blues] #10967495 07/10/15 03:15 AM
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Bittercreek Offline
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Originally Posted By: Blues
Never had a flathead I didn't like. Blues over 10lbs have too much red meat and fat for me. Channels gotta be 14+ inches before I'll mess with them.

Words of Wisdom.
Although. My house keeps Yellows. Any yellow under 20 goes back.
Mostly Head and tail.

To the OP. Best-Eating?
2-3lb C-Cat. Any yellow cat over 20lbs.

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967623 07/10/15 05:26 AM
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Illnoize Offline
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2 lb channel is the best. I let the flatheads over 5lbs go.

Re: Keepers? [Re: Illnoize] #10967915 07/10/15 01:44 PM
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Blues Offline
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Originally Posted By: Illnoize
2 lb channel is the best. I let the flatheads over 5lbs go.

They gotta be 18" to keep, and usually have big heads for they're size. If you are letting all over 5lbs go, what length are your keepers?

Re: Keepers? [Re: Suvi] #10967952 07/10/15 01:54 PM
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Cat finder Offline
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Gotta say that I keep anything 5- 15 its just a better fillet for the family.


If the fish don't bite your not baiting right...
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