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what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
#11033164
08/10/15 07:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 904
WeaponOfBassDestruction
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 904 |
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!
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11033193
08/10/15 07:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446
Dfitz
"Nice Guy"
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"Nice Guy"
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446 |
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.
Don't worry about the mule, just load the cart
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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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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 870
REDGUN
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 870 |
I don't care for picking around bones, so I fillet my gills. Because of this, I only keep the 8"+ gills.
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11033363
08/10/15 08:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975
Smithaven
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975 |
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.
. Seventy five years of chasing the elusive sunfish.
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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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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521 |
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.
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
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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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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
Jimbo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218 |
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!
Just one more cast!
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11034771
08/11/15 02:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Gitter Done
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610 |
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.
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11039566
08/13/15 04:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,021
Laker One
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,021 |
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.
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11042117
08/14/15 07:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 869
larry mays
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 869 |
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.
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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: Dfitz]
#11042301
08/14/15 09:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,588
jagg
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,588 |
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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Re: what's your ideal size sunfish to keep?
[Re: WeaponOfBassDestruction]
#11042853
08/15/15 02:05 AM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,923
Lovfldx
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,923 |
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.
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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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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521 |
Nice ones Rudy and "jcarring99"!
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
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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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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 904
WeaponOfBassDestruction
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 904 |
This size are good This fish looks like a frisbee it's so round. Perfect shape for the pan!
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