mud cats - edible?

[baetisman]

Do people eat mud cats? If so, how are they best prepared?
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[Utcatman]

i am not sure how to prepare them correctly, i always do it like channels. they

taste ok to me. not as good as channels thought but they still taste pretty good.

JOe
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[TubeDude]

[cool][size 1]Here's a copy of a response I sent to another BFTer who posed the question on the difference between bullheads (mud cats) and channels...and why the bullheads were held in lower esteem. My read on it is:[/size]

[#0000ff][size 2]The simple answer is that most people would agree that channel cats are better eating. There are a couple of reasons why.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]First, is habitat. Bullhead cats tend to live in slow water with muddy bottoms. They are happy and active through a wide range of temperature and oxygen conditions. In short, they thrive in waters that channel cats might not prefer. And, they spend a lot of time simply laying on the mucky bottom. I don't know how much "flavoring" they pick up through osmosis, but they are definitely "muddier tasting" in such conditions.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]The channel cats are genetically more creatures of running water. They do better in clear, clean water, where they often become sight feeders and chase down minnows and other live prey...like crawdads. But, they also tend to be more active and swim through the water above the worst of the mud...even preferring rock and gravel when available.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]Dietarily, they both eat the same things in the same lakes. It doesn't matter whether you use worms, shrimp, cut bait or whatever. Both will accept almost anything you soak. Both will eat some pretty disgusting stuff. The difference, as I mentioned, is that channel cats prefer clean water and eating live food when they can find it and get it.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]Probably the big difference which contributes more to a stronger taste in bullheads is the anatomy. Fish that feed more nocturnally and by senses other than sight tend to have more dark sensory tissue under the skin, along the lateral line. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]If you peel the skin off a channel cat, you will find only a "normal" amount of the dark flesh...not any more than bass or walleye. A bullhead, however, appears quite dark over most of the skinned sides, and the dark tissue is deeper proportionately. If you take the time to slice this stuff out, the "strong" taste is reduced.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]That being said, the enjoyment of any fish is mostly a matter of taste...literally. While bullheads do have a noticeably stronger taste, many folks do not find it objectionable. They should always be skinned before cooking, and they often benefit by soaking overnight in either milk or a mild salt water solution. This also removes most of the remaining blood, which also contributes to the taste.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]I suspect that the preference most folks have for channels...and the disdain of "mud cats"...is due to the difficulty in catching either. If you can catch "lowly" mudcats without much effort, they must not be very good. If channel cats are elusive, and grow bigger, then they are more desirable.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]

[/size][#0000ff][size 2]In conclusion, I have eaten many bullheads that were absolutely delicious. I have also taken the first bite of some channel cats that prevented me from eating any more. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]Habitat and method of preparation are probably the two biggest factors in having a plateful of good eating. That, and the size and age of the fish. Smaller and younger fish in the catfish family are almost always the best eating. Of course, that is true of other species too.[/size][/#0000ff][size 1] [/size]
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[TheJensenKid15]

Gut them, cover them in batter and deep fry them. Best way to cook them.
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[deepcycle]

Try for them at Pineview, cool, clear water and snacky!
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[tubeN2]

Keep in mind the preparation methods that TubeDude has prescribed. From there, you can use any of the many recipes available on the recipe board. If you have any requests for some other recipes, feel free to ask.
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