There’s only one way to cook sandbass. Put it on a cedar plank, season with salt and pepper. When the fish is done throw the it out and eat the plank. Remove the red meat, don’t remove the red meat, soak them, don’t soak them. Truth be told it doesn’t matter because no amount of seasoning or trimming bloodlines can make those nasty things edible.
Funny how some people like to eat sand bass, while others would just as soon chow down on a mess of shad. I'm like you. I don't like the flavor, plus the meat always seems tough, no matter who's operating the skillet.