When you get a big ole whiskers, do you try to make fillets or just cut it up into nuggets? What's your favorite recipe for seasoning them?
Thanks!

I don't eat big ol wiskers

Fillet the fish and bake the slabs. Numerous recipes on the internet.

What are you calling big?

+1. 1-4 lbs best!

Cut them into nuggets and deep fry.

2 to 10 lbs. are the best eating as far as blue cats go.

Blues 10lb max
Flatheads(Yella Cats) up to 20lb are very good eating,not as fat and greasy as Blues.
Under 15lb a Yella cat is the finest eating cat in US waters

B L E E D T H E M !!
Cut the tail OFF and bleed them out for 5-10 min before processing(hanging preferred)
Blues and flats need the red removed
I cut them in quarters down the lateral line and shave the red"tail to head"
All cleaned up they go into heavy salted water for 3-4 hrs in the fridge
Drained/rinsed and back into heavy salted water till supper time(2-4hrs)
Drained and rinsed before hitting the salt,pepper,corn meal,GREASE

Fillet, then cut to size as needed. I don't soak them in salt water, but I do occasionally soak catfish, buffalo, fillets in sprite or 7up for a few hours before cooking them. Makes the fillets taste a bit lighter, sweeter, etc.

^^^I do this with all fish^^^

Thanks gents, good info!

Bleed them, shave the fat, and cut into desired nuggets.... We just cook them same as smaller fish. Belly steaks are great on the grill too!

I agree with the bleeding, and I make a real brine, heating the water to dissolve the salt and sugar(if using). Great additions to the brine are lemon halves, fresh parsley(once the brine cools), bay leaf and cut garlic. peppercorns and coriander seeds used with a cautious hand are nice as well. Not unlike a brine for fried chicken.

That being said I also think you have to cut them to a size where the meat stays moist and juicy with a great crispy, just dark enough crust. Happy eating!

I do not oppose eating what you catch. Fish are food. But, big cats are such a pain in the arse to clean I have given up on it. If you insist, cut out the red meat. The belly meat on a big blue is horrible. I never soak my fish. They are supposed to taste like fish. If you don't like fish to taste like fish eat a steak. I don't have a dog in the fight for the whole big fish versus little fish. Be smart about it. Don't waste the resource. Eat what you want to bring home. Smaller cats are the bigger bang for the buck as far as the hassle factor. I love catching big cats but almost regret doing it when the kids are in the boat because I know I will either end up cleaning them or having to have the talk about letting them go. Cats are intended to eat . It is up to you.