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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 705
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 705 |
I have mostly been a catch & release fisherman but do realize that in order to manage my LMB/BG pond I will, at some time or another, need to harvest some fish. This may be a silly question but for those of you harvesting LMB what are you doing with them? Are you eating them? I remember eating bass as a kid and they really didn't taste like much. Besides, if I am harvesting 10-14 inch bass it seems like a lot of trouble to clean them for the size of the meal. On the other hand I don't like the idea of 'throwing them over the bank' either.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36 |
I throw them in the freezer and then donate them whole to a local organization that feeds them to injured birds of prey such as bald eagles and osprey. The organization here is known as The Raptor Recovery Center. It helps get rid of more fish than I care to eat in a years time. I agree, flavor wise LMB are a little bland, but that can always be cured with a few spices. I personally havn't ever done this but I know a few individuals that will cube them up and toss the pieces back in the water for the remaining LMB and Channel catfish to recycle. You would be suprised at the number of large LMB's that can be caught on fresh cut bait.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 151
Member
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Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 151 |
I eat them. They are not the most flavorful but they taste OK fried with Uncle Bucks batter or similar. Actually, since they are the only fish I fry, I sorta look forward to them.
I would not bother filleting the 10" LMB. The cutoff to get a reasonable filet seems to be right around 1-1.25 lbs or 12-14".
Another option is to see if any of the neighboring pond owners need them. You never know.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59 |
I always thought they tasted pretty good Am I just not being picky enough? .
I am NO LONGER the "Someday" man.
1 pond, half acre or so
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
If they're big enough to filet, I eat them. If they're too small, I dump them in my creek. If they're really small, I toss them.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,974 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,974 Likes: 276 |
Know somebody close by with a pond full of stunted BG who could use some extra bass?
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 556 |
Run an ad in your local paper. You could be another "free fish man" or could possibly get several responses even if you charge. In south Ga. we can get $6.00 a pop for 10-12" yearlings. At least it would help pay for your ad, time, and feed.
Do fish actually kiss?
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 489
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 489 |
If I ran a add in our local paper to sell some LMB fingerlings, the local game warden would be knocking on my door asking to see my fish dealers/sellers permit. I advise all those thinking of doing this to first check the DNR game/fish laws before selling any live or dead fish. My local game warden would be kissing me like in Deb's signature photo above, but he would not be kissing my lips! He would be kissing my wallet.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 904 Likes: 12
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 904 Likes: 12 |
When we harvest bass and the land owner doesn't want them we take them home and fillet them out. They are good and the best part is that they are free. We don't have a market for reselling bass that don't have documented Florida genetics....especially stunted fish. I can't see why anyone would want to buy them.
It's ALL about the fish!
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
I don't get this bass aversion. They make great filets even a 10 inch bass has more meat than a 6 inch bluegill that folks clean all the time. They do have very little taste that is what I like I can not stand a real fishy tate. bass will taste like what you season them with. When I pull them off the propane fryer at parties folks can not even wait for them to cool off, no plates needed here.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,750 Likes: 295
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,750 Likes: 295 |
Greg, you and your propane fryer have an open invite to my pond for this summer's LMB Cull-Fest.
If you've got a good recipe for Brown Bullheads, bring it along too!
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Greg, I also prefer bass. I like crappie better but haven't fished for them in years.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
Dave, I had crappie filets last night. We caught three in the Larry Munson (famous voice of the bulldogs) tournament. We did not win bass money but there was a $200 prize for top 10 crappie. Well I caught 3 (on bass lures) that weighed 3 -9 and won by 3 ozs. I'm not proud I will take the money. Anyway fun to fish with my Dad again and good eatin' to boot.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5 |
Guys, I hate doing it, but I toss mine on the bank.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36 |
I wonder if you could roll a gas powered mulcher out on the end of the dock and and provide some free fish food to the smaller fish in your pond? You definately wouldn't want to store the mulcher in the shed or garage after that though.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,750 Likes: 295
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,750 Likes: 295 |
"You definately wouldn't want to store the mulcher in the shed or garage after that though."
Yeah, you'd probably want to keep that in the master bedroom.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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