The last few times I have been out fishing, my fishing buddy and I have caught some good sized black drum and sheepshead. We have released all of them but not before wondering out loud if we should be taking them home for the dinner table. What do you guys keep? All we have kept up to this point is trout (speckled and sand), red and flounder.

I personally C and R the sheeps and drum. Sheepshead are good, but hardly worth the effort for small rewards....black drum are iffy at best (real small ones aren't too bad), IMHO.

I'm alot like you guys, all I keep are trout over about 17", reds and flounder. Most of the time I catch and release everything else.

Black drum is excellent eating. Spicy or mild battered in the skillet is my fav. Not hard to fillet at all. Fed the fam too many times to remember. I love em. Sheephead is good meat but a lot of work to clean.

Ditto on the Black Drum.

I will take a 4-5 pound Black Drum over a
red or a trout for eating any day. Favorite
method of cooking is on the 'half shell'.
Cut filet off each side and leave skin/scales
on. Salt, pepper, and baste with butter.
Then cook on gas grill on medium or coals with skin side down until meat will flake.
Superb eating. Firm and sweet. Meat on large drum is coarse. I throw them back.

dxr

Thanks for the replys. I think I might have to cook up the next Black Drum I catch. I'll report back with what I make of it.

Large Black drum are famous for parasites.
these "worms" wont hurt you , but many
people have carried large drum home, only
to throm them away after cleaning.
Keep the small ones , release the "big
uglies"
Good luck
MO

Pound for pound...I think sheepshead is about as good as any fish you'll eat. No big deal cleaning with a sharp knife. Just don't expect a whole lot of meat per fish.

They call them sheepshead because when you catch one he says, "Throw me Baaa-ckk"...sorry, couldn't resist.....

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SCA Texas Volunteer

....sure are fun to catch though ain't they?

sheepshead are some of the best tasting fish you can catch inshore i try to limit on them every trip.there diet of shellfish makes for good meat.but be forwarned cleaning them can be painfull.