Gafftop Catfish

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Sightwindow

Sailcats: Makes a slimey mess out of everything they touch, line, deck, ice chest, bags, cleaning station. Gotta always be on the look out for the spines, which are foreign to most people unlike fins and teeth. Cleaning is a pain and yield is average at best. I've done it just like I've done sheepshead, but similarly most all the time they go back unharmed (respect for the sea, no needless killing or maiming)

Hardheads: No chance I'm ever that hard-up except maybe in a survival situation.

No one will ever starve to death as long as they hardheads are around.

Cleaning the gafftops is not that hard, I worked through a pile of 13 of them the other day in about 20 minutes. They are skinnier sometimes than channel catfish, but then they don't tend to have the fatty parts which (in my view) can give channel catfish a fishy taste if not trimmed.

[Sightwindow]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

No one will ever starve to death as long as they hardheads are around.

Cleaning the gafftops is not that hard, I worked through a pile of 13 of them the other day in about 20 minutes. They are skinnier sometimes than channel catfish, but then they don't tend to have the fatty parts which (in my view) can give channel catfish a fishy taste if not trimmed.

I hear ya, I'm spoiled running through a trout in 20 seconds. I'm annoyed cleaning a redfish over four lbs.

[mr crab]

I think gafftops taste ok, but definitely not my preference.

[FF_T_Warren]

I let gaftops go, although I should try the bigger ones. now hard heads on the other hand get the plier treatment and are left floating. I figure thats my contribution to keep the ecosystem in check. theres WAY too many of those trashy rascals

[Fishmaster19]

Originally Posted by nimbus73

I am certainly not gonna start fishing for them, but at least now I know. Maybe someone else can taste test dem hardheads, lol.

We went to cocodrie for a buddy's bachelor party last year and the weather was bad so we decided to try the hard heads. I doubt they would freeze well but if you cut out the red/brown line in the middle of the filets, they are pretty freakin good! Blew my mind!

[FFSTBASE]

Deep fryed in oil, with cool slaw and a toasted bun, i am in heaven