Pond Fishing

[roberte68]

Hey guys I just got back from the first trip I've made to a Farm Pond in 25-30 years. Growing up we used to fish them all the time and I've eaten my share of bluegill, heck my Grandmother would eat the smaller ones bones and all. But in my teens I got a little spoiled. We started Striper fishing around 82' and dad kept the freezer stocked with Striper and those big fillets are hard to beat. So tonight I get home from the pond with my little "mess" of bluegill and crappie. I tried filleting a bluegill and a crappie, and these were GOOD size bluegill and crappie. But the fillets looked so small that I finished cleaning the rest the old way. Loping off heads, etc.

Do many of you guys actually fillet these things?

My wife is going to freak in the morning when she opens the fridge. And there is no way she is going to eat something that still has fins. Guess I had better get her a couple pieces of striper out of the freezer for the fish fry.

[the_donger]

I only filet my fish. I don't like messing with the bones and you don't really lose much.

[Cobra190]

I know a guy that takes the smaller fish, cleans them the old way real good,cuts away the tail and all fins and where the bones are still soft in these small fish-- puts them in a blender with some egg,salt and pepper, patties them out and rolls them in seasoned cornmeal and fries them up like salmon patties. And actually it is very good.

[MsgMills]

Yep, I usually filet all my fish I keep to eat. But the blender trick sounds good. I'll have to try it on a small batch next time.

[artcarney_agr]

I always fillet them. An electric knife really helps when cleaning all of those bluegill! I've cleaned thousands with my electric knife!

This post is making me hungry!

[roberte68]

Yep, I plan on fixing them tonight with some fried potatos, hush puppies and coleslaw.

Now the only question, cold beer or sweet tea?

[Tim_T]

Now the only question, cold beer or sweet tea?

BEER, not much of a question in my book LOL! BTW, the electric filet knife is definitely the way to go.

[EJHick]

I always fillet them. An electric knife really helps when cleaning all of those bluegill! I've cleaned thousands with my electric knife!

This post is making me hungry!

Scott lets head out to the "secret hole" and catch us some slabs.

Put the electric knife to work!

Fried fish, hush puppies, cole slaw, and a choice of beverage....hmmmmmm hm!

[artcarney_agr]

Scott lets head out to the "secret hole" and catch us some slabs.

Put the electric knife to work!

Fried fish, hush puppies, cole slaw, and a choice of beverage....hmmmmmm hm!

Man, that catfish spawn on Ky and Barkley Lake should be starting to heat up! I'll load the freezer here in a week or two, maybe if you're lucky I'll cook some fish if you supply the beer! Sound good?

I would invite you along on Mother's Day, but you know, it's Mother's Day.....

I'll be bringing my boat up to Louisville after Mother's Day, so we'll have to hit up the river! Whether we fish or not, hitting up Heather's tiki bar up around twelve mile island sounds really good to me! Their sweet potato fries are awesome!

[the_donger]

Hey Art, Let me know when you go fishing for cats next time. I have a pontoon boat we can use if you are interested. I live on Ky Lake just south of Little Bear.