Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I didn't have time, but I went fishing anyway for a couple hours. Hit the water at 6:30 and got off at 9:00. In between I caught a few cats, well four to be exact, missed about as many that I couldn't sink a hook into... Ended up with 18 lbs of fish, two 25" and two 22"... I kept one today so we'll see how they taste, got it filleted and chilling in the fridge.. Fun fights today, they really pulled hard, they are still in the shallows, but further spread out and it seems like it's slowing down and harder to catch them today... Still using fathead minnows trolled behind my toon at the slowest speed my electric motor will take me... Later J
[signature]
Posts: 36,168
Threads: 307
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[#0000FF]Nice work.
A couple of suggestions on cooking. Cut the fillets into finger sized strips...so they cook more thoroughly. Then deep fry them on med high heat until they are brown and firm. Cats take a lot more cooking than most white fleshed fishes.
Don't use a batter. It will be overdone before the fish are cooked. A dry coating mix of corn meal and flour (I like Bisquick) is better. Panko breadcrumbs also cook too fast and will be burned before the fish is done.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF][#0000FF][b]Salt and pepper them while they are still hot out of the oil.
[/#0000FF]
Use a dipping sauce. Tartar sauce, seafood cocktail sauce or BBQ sauce are all good.
[/b][/#0000FF]
[signature]
Posts: 54
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation:
0
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Thanks TD sounds like that might fix my previous failures with catfish. Tried a good ole boy skinning method today that worked great. I drove a spike through its head on the top of a piece of plywood fastened to the top of a railroad tie. It was a make shift table with a solid support to drive the spike into. It worked great holding the fish while I skinned and filleted it, plus it only took me about ten minutes, which is really fast for me. Thanks again for the cooking tips. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Thanks, those cats get to be a little addicting. Still not finding the big cats, but these are fun and too strong to hold up to take a picture yourself. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 335
Threads: 4
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
I would love to see a pic of the fathead minnows if you have any. Are you catching them in cutler as well ?
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I'll try and get ya a picture tomorrow, they are in Cutler, but I have a hard time getting big enough ones there. I have found some in my irrigation pond that are bigger so that's what I use. I've been catching some carp minnows lately in Cutler and they are even better than the fatheads, except I froze them and forgot to thaw them out last night. I need to learn how to catch the minnows with a casting net, but for now I just use the trap. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 571
Threads: 3
Joined: Mar 2007
Reputation:
1
How fast were you trolling in miles an hour? I never could fish for cats with the slowest trolling motor setting, at least not for Willards cookie cutter(average) size cats.
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I haven't taken my GPS so I'm not sure, but I've found the slower the better... Cutler is really murky water and I think they have to smell their way to the minnow.. I would guess the speed is about .9 mph, because I think 1.4 mph is 3rd speed on my motor for my toon... I know it is paint drying speed, but it seems to work.... I wish it was even a little slower, because I was pulsing my motor at first, with just a bump every few seconds and I caught a lot of fish that day, but I'm afraid that won't be very good on the switch, so I just put it in gear and let it go now... I troll in fairly closely spaced "S" turns and usually get the hits on the slow side rod...
I love trolling for Cats at Willard, that is where I caught my first cat trolling and decided that I didn't have to bait fish for cats anymore... I troll about 1.4 at Willard in my boat and it has seemed to work if I get over the fish... I found at willard I had to bottom bounce and I was using worm harness' over there... I did catch some on crawfish cranks to... Oh and curly tail jigs works too... Good luck... J
[signature]
Posts: 5,745
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2010
Reputation:
0
I just don't get how you troll around Cutler Bear without collecting a soupy goupy goo ever couple minutes worth? Plus the snags, oh the snags. But I could see working the reedlines zip-zaggy wise.
Been far too long since I've been out, but nice to know someone is till getting on some cats. Might be hope for another run soon yet!
Hit some 'ol river spots - but - alas, didn't find my crappie and bass ready to play. Loads of slurpy carp.
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I didn't say I wasn't hooking up on weeds fairly often, but I'm only out 50Ft so it doesn't take long to clean the moss. I'm wondering if that die off last spring got the whole river system for bass and crappie because I haven't caught any yet either. I really haven't tried much but I have a little. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
TD I tried your cooking tips and I must say I've never enjoyed catfish so much. Thank you, that slicing and getting it done all the way made it great. I should have made a fish taco but I couldn't wait, I polished off the 4 lb cat myself. Not sure how much the fillets weighed, but I shouldn't have been such a pig. Anyway, thanks so much for the tip it worked great. J
[signature]
Posts: 36,168
Threads: 307
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[#0000FF]Glad it worked for you and that you enjoyed it better. I suspect you might be inviting more of your finny friends home for dinner now.
I have been catching and cooking fish of many species for many years. Sometimes takes some experimenting to find out the best ways to prepare them. There are a lot of differences in taste, texture and density of the flesh. Some fish are best when cooked quickly and lightly...with minimal seasonings and sauces. Some...like cats...take a lot more cooking and are improved with more spices and flavorings.
Bottom line? Whatever you like best is the way to do it. But I happen to like spicy stuff so I have to tone it down a bit if I am cooking for other (wimpy) family members.
I almost always cook more than I know we will eat at one sitting. I refrigerate the leftovers and then make super po-boy sandwiches for a day or two afterward. Get some good sandwich rolls, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. Decorate a good layer of precooked kitty fingers with the other stuff...and maybe some tartar sauce. Then chow down. Good stuff.
Catfish tacos are good too. Best when the fish is right out of the pan. But for leftovers a quick zap in the microwave will heat them up. I like them even when still cold from the refrigerator.
Then there is the CLT...catfish, lettuce and tomato. Make some toast, slice the leftover catfish into thin slices and layer it smoothly on one piece of toast. Add lettuce, tomato and mayo...or your favorite sauce or dressing.
More than one way to skin a cat...as you found out. Also lots of ways to enjoy them...once they are properly cooked.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Good stuff TD, I don't get to try too much experimenting in the kitchen, my wife rules that kingdom and doesn't like my messes or making the house smell like fish, so I appreciate the tips that helps me get good food without the learning curve. I think you are right about taking a few more home. I really like the no bones, easy fillet on the cats. I found that chilling the meat made it much easier to slice and the cats aren't soft and mushy like the trout get in the warmer water. Thanks for sharing that is appreciated. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 451
Threads: 3
Joined: Aug 2011
Reputation:
0
Went out last night from 6 to sundown. caught one LMB about 2 lbs and some smaller SMB, lots of missed bites and hook spits coming in. Glad to see they are still there. I think the old guy that puts out setlines is cleaning out the river. He catches bass walley and cats at the same time. I still haven't taken the time to fish the shallows for the cats.
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Hey Rod, Good to hear the bass are still around, I haven't even casted for them the last two or three trips, but now I'll have to take the jig pole again... Thanks for the update... Where are the setlines I didn't know anyone was setting them... Sure seems like that would take the fun out of fishing, but I'm not fishing to eat either so guess I shouldn't complain about sport when it's for keeping a family alive... Anyway, the cats in the shallows are slowing down, but still a few.. They were really widely spread this last time.. Well got to run, thanks for the update... J
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Hey I took a picture, but won't have time to post it on my computer. If you want to PM me an email address I can send it from my phone. Sorry life's too busy for me lately. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 451
Threads: 3
Joined: Aug 2011
Reputation:
0
The setliner drops his setline in any of the holes along the river then fishes with a pole around the edges for a few hours letting it soak. Then hauls it in and usually has 50% hook up. He uses a brake disk for weight and boat bumpers for buoys. I helped remove a hook from his hand one day, he's a pretty tough old codger.
Went out last night and caught a few cats, 27" being the biggest the rest 20-24". I guess they're moving back into the channels.
[signature]
Posts: 14,596
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Nice job, was that in the dark part of the night? Just got out of the winds I'll have a tale to tell later. J
[signature]
|
