03-17-2007, 12:23 PM
[cool][#0000ff]They ARE good eating. And, we usually prepare them in a way that reduces or eliminates any concern we might have about the potential for PCBs or most other contaminants.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Catfish are oily fleshed critters. And, since most of the bad stuff tends to isolate in the fatty tissues, we fillet and skin the cats and soak them to float off as much oil as possible. Then, we grill, fry or smoke them to get rid of most of whatever is left. I firmly believe that if it were possible to do a "before and after" (live vs cooked) test on our kitties that there would not be enough potential "oogies" left to worry about. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I normally try not to keep the bigger cats unless I want some for the smoker. The bigger and thicker fillets do not cook up as well as the smaller ones. They are still good eating and prime texture, but you should slice them in thin finger strips or small "steaks" for larger fillets, just to make sure they cook thoroughly. Catfish take a lot of cooking and they are not as good if served undercooked.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, I do not keep many males at all. They seem to always be skinnier than the females and their flesh is often very pale and softer by comparison. They usually hit harder and sometimes fight harder...and ultimately get bigger than the females. But, they are just not as good on the table. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also fewer males in Utah Lake than there are females...if catch rates are any indicator. Because of the brutal competition for spawning holes and the nasty fights between males, quite a few of them die off during or after the spawn each year. Definitely a matter of survival of the fittest.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wanna get together after I finish smoking this batch and give some a try? Maybe whiile replenishing the supply?[/#0000ff]
[signature]
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[#0000ff]Catfish are oily fleshed critters. And, since most of the bad stuff tends to isolate in the fatty tissues, we fillet and skin the cats and soak them to float off as much oil as possible. Then, we grill, fry or smoke them to get rid of most of whatever is left. I firmly believe that if it were possible to do a "before and after" (live vs cooked) test on our kitties that there would not be enough potential "oogies" left to worry about. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I normally try not to keep the bigger cats unless I want some for the smoker. The bigger and thicker fillets do not cook up as well as the smaller ones. They are still good eating and prime texture, but you should slice them in thin finger strips or small "steaks" for larger fillets, just to make sure they cook thoroughly. Catfish take a lot of cooking and they are not as good if served undercooked.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And, I do not keep many males at all. They seem to always be skinnier than the females and their flesh is often very pale and softer by comparison. They usually hit harder and sometimes fight harder...and ultimately get bigger than the females. But, they are just not as good on the table. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are also fewer males in Utah Lake than there are females...if catch rates are any indicator. Because of the brutal competition for spawning holes and the nasty fights between males, quite a few of them die off during or after the spawn each year. Definitely a matter of survival of the fittest.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wanna get together after I finish smoking this batch and give some a try? Maybe whiile replenishing the supply?[/#0000ff]
[signature]