Gafftop po-boys for dinner

[Garfish]

If I'm catching trout, reds, & other fish that eat, i'll throw em back. I keep a few gafftop from time to time. Not my favorite, but it's edible. I'll eat bluefish too just like Crab mentioned. To each their own.

[duck enticer]

I have eaten Gaffstop, Blue, Channel, mudcat, hardheads and Flathead catfish.

I would rank them in this order, first being the best eating
Flathead
Blue
Channel
Gaffstop
Mud cat
Hardhead

The difference between Blue and Flathead is a mile. Flathead is in my top ten favorite fish to eat.

I don't eat Gaffstop, Hardhead or Mudcat.......Hardhead is by far the worst eating fish I have ever tasted.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by mr crab

I'm with you all the way mathgeek. I don't know what has happened to us culturally, but there are soooo many species of fish that are good table fare that lots of fishermen will not eat. I had fallen into this way of thinking too. Once we were offshore and catching big blue fish one after another. After releasing 10 or so a guy I work with asked if they were legal to keep. When I said yes, he told us to start putting them in the ice chest. After we cleaned all the fish that evening, I asked him if I could have a couple of filets to try. I pan seared them with very little seasoning to really taste the meat, and let me tell you something, them suckers were dang good. Now all my life i had been told that bluefish were good for nothing more than cut bait, and I have released hundreds. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I will always taste a fish from now on before I take somebody elses word on the taste.

I will try any fish once. I have an uncle who goes on a charter trip twice a year and only wants redfish, will give you every trout on the boat, says they have no flavor

Never had a saltwater catfish, black drum, only had gar once but will try it again for sure. Dude that was cooking it could mess up mac and cheese

[Crawdaddct]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

I will try any fish once. I have an uncle who goes on a charter trip twice a year and only wants redfish, will give you every trout on the boat, says they have no flavor

Never had a saltwater catfish, black drum, only had gar once but will try it again for sure. Dude that was cooking it could mess up mac and cheese

I agree with your uncle, mostly. Redfish is better than trout. Especially if you are going to freeze them first. If im fishing for trout, I always cook them the same day or the next, while fresh. YUUMMM

That being said, Gafftop are a fish of last resort for me. Had it and wasnt very good. I would much rather fry up croaker and whiteing. Of course I dont care much for any catfish. Drum is good and Gar is not bad if done right.