I think HSB make fantastic table fare. The flesh is firm and flavorful. They have a little dark meat that can have a bit of a whang to it, so I try to leave most of that attached to the skin when I filet them.
Haven't eaten any of the ones that I stocked in my pond - yet. For what they cost me I decided not to harvest them until they grow past 18".
Looks like a few of them will get to meet Mr. Knife sometime later this year.
We caught one last year. After I stocked the fall before. We haven’t caught any this year. Hopefully they survived. I will say we haven’t caught any HBG this spring either. Lots of RES, SMB, and GSH. I’ve kept all the tips from years past on catching HSB. Hopefully I’ll get to see one up close this summer. That one you caught looks really healthy.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
