I decided that I wanted fish for dinner, and I thought that I could catch a HSB relatively quickly. I planned on catching 1 and quitting. Nope. Chummed a bit with Optimal Hand Throw pellets, used a Chubby Stubby Steve's on a 2/0 hook and caught 6 in roughly 30 minutes. I released the 3 smaller ones, used a rubberized net to get them safely out of the water and back in. These are 4 year old fish. I didn't weigh any, the top one was re-absorbing eggs.

So, now I have fillets in the fridge, I will remove any of the red flesh, vac pack and store for the winter.

Wow, those look like a blast to catch and probably even more fun to eat! It is crazy that Indiana blesses HSB and MI fears them... What could change in the short distance over state lines?

I have a few of those in my freezer as well! I also have about 200 Channel cat I need to catch and clean......... That starts sounding like work pretty quick, but planning on getting started this weekend

Very nice!

Politics and different state thoughts on fish. Illinois doesn't allow stocking of Tilapia in ponds...

You can stock them in Mi, but your pond can't have any permanent inflow/outflow device or you need a stocking permit from the state.

great fish scott!

Thanks. My pond is like the cobblers kids shoes. Never time for it, let alone fish in it.

How do you cook HSB?

With heat silly!

On a more serious note, the trick is to remove all the red meat that is under the skin. Then you can cook them like any other freshwater fish that is filleted, egg wash, dip in your favorite coating, fry (skillet or deep fryer); you can also put them in the oven with sliced citrus (lemon, orange, lime) and sliced onions, sprinkle with lemon pepper, and bake until done. I've also put them on the grill, wrapping them in double layers of foil and baking them like I noted above.

I've had straight Striped Bass, cooked the same way, except soaked in buttermilk for 12-24 hours first.