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what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? #11033164 08/10/15 07:39 PM
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WeaponOfBassDestruction Offline OP
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It's been a while since I've put the bass rods down and just had a day of simplicity catching a bunch of sunfish, until this past Saturday.The wife and I had a blast catching some feisty sunfish in the Brazos river. So I got to thinking if I keep some for the frying pan what minimum length is worth keeping? And also best way to clean/prepare and cook them opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks!


Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11033193 08/10/15 07:49 PM
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Dfitz Offline
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All water bodies are different, but I let the "trophies" go. In some places thats 7" and above and in other water it's 10" and above. Kind of a judgement call if you think big fish make more big fish. This goes for all species

In general a 7-9" Sunfish is good to eat for me, but I mostly fish for them for fun.

I'm sure others will have different opinions.


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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: Dfitz] #11033274 08/10/15 08:19 PM
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I don't care for picking around bones, so I fillet my gills. Because of this, I only keep the 8"+ gills.

Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11033363 08/10/15 08:52 PM
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The ideal size is about 7 inches - big enough to fillet and a size that is common enough to catch several of them. If push comes to shove anything over 5 inches gives a nice fillet.


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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11033378 08/10/15 08:57 PM
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For me and my personal preference when I keep a mess of gills for dinner they are in the 8" range they are the perfect eating size. I will also keep a few in the 9" range as well. I usually throw back the 10"plus. That is just me. thumb


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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11033432 08/10/15 09:24 PM
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I love frying them whole no matter the size. Filleting you throw away the backbone and I along with it a lot of tasty meat.
Most of the fun of eating gills is savoring the flavor and picking at the food and licking every last crumb from your fingers!...Finger food!
Also the bones usually just come right out leaving all meat. But I understand those who prefer a boneless filet also. It's all good!


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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11033467 08/10/15 09:39 PM
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Thanks for the info guys!


Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11034771 08/11/15 02:00 PM
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I have been to several fish fries that "Banker" has had over the years. Those fat 8"Gills are hard to beat. Heck fresh fish are just simply GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!





Side Note: The Anglers in this section do know how to prepare em as well.

Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11039566 08/13/15 04:30 PM
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I never ate Sunfish until I came to Texas. Talking to "Banker" and some of my friends and after having some super Bluegill/Sunfish dinners I personally like keeping the 8 and 9 inch fish.

Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11042117 08/14/15 07:46 PM
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I would also say the 8 inch are better, over here in north-east Texas no one Bream fishes and they are to many of them. So at 8 or better its a place to cull to what you want for cooking. Also the best to eat and with me its always bone in. For any that did not know Lake Fork is one of the best Bream Lakes around.

Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: Dfitz] #11042301 08/14/15 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Fitz
All water bodies are different, but I let the "trophies" go. In some places thats 7" and above and in other water it's 10" and above. Kind of a judgement call if you think big fish make more big fish. This goes for all species

In general a 7-9" Sunfish is good to eat for me, but I mostly fish for them for fun.

I'm sure others will have different opinions.

^ This.


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and all that is within me,
bless His Holy Name!

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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11042853 08/15/15 02:05 AM
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I go boneless fillets, mostly for sons and wife. When I fry up a bunch for me, gut and head em, scale em, batter em, fry em, eat em! I love picking that backbone meat out too. It is a delicacy! Also, don't forget those fried tails! Yumums!

8-10 inch bluegills, greenies, and redears. 8-9 ideal, I try to toss back those 10 inchers once photo ops are done, but once in awhile a trophy sunny in the grease is ok.

Bull bluegill fillets:



9-inch greenie, perfect eating size:



Rudy

Last edited by Lovfldx; 08/15/15 02:21 AM.
Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction] #11042943 08/15/15 02:55 AM
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This size are good



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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: jcarring99] #11043032 08/15/15 03:57 AM
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Nice ones Rudy and "jcarring99"! thumb


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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep? [Re: jcarring99] #11045106 08/16/15 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: jcarring99
This size are good

This fish looks like a frisbee it's so round. Perfect shape for the pan!


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