Everyone gets excited when they hook onto one [ hard fighting ] and always disappointed when you realize it’s not the big smallmouth you thought you caught . I like most guys have always thrown them back assuming that they are garbage fish . I have read some articles that claim they are good eating if prepared right . Anyone actually tried one ?
Sheepshead or fresh water drum
- Thread starter morgan
- Start date
fishstalker
Well-Known Member
Fresh water drum - "sheepshead" are for sale in Asian fish markets in the GTA
A co worker of mine, Randy Hosack, (RIP) said he cut up strips and boiled in ginger ale, ate with seafood sauce and it tasted like shrimp.
I still throw them back
A co worker of mine, Randy Hosack, (RIP) said he cut up strips and boiled in ginger ale, ate with seafood sauce and it tasted like shrimp.
I still throw them back
Trevor M
Well-Known Member
I throw'em back. They're fun to catch if that's all you're catching on any given day. (means you didn't get skunked right, a fish is a fish, even if it's not what you're after) but I've never tried one.
I know that there are a few who come to the pier who will periodically take them and then make fish cakes out of them but they say that's all they'd do with them.
I know that there are a few who come to the pier who will periodically take them and then make fish cakes out of them but they say that's all they'd do with them.
Trevor M
Well-Known Member
that's the funny thing about fish cakes. When I do them, which is rare because I just can't be bothered to take the time, or make the mess, I will usually use multiple different species to make them. (usually the last little bit of perch or walleye I might have in the freezer just before I come out of hibernation) I just throw the pieces I intend to make into fish cakes into the food processor and let it do the work then I do what I do to make them into cakes/patties, then cook'em.
Trevor M
Well-Known Member
Yeah me too. I'll throw'em back. Fun to catch, but can't bring myself to eat one.
I agree with gforce. My father in law smokes it and it is excellent.
DaveJ
Well-Known Member
I have..a small one. The flesh was white and flaky and when coated and dropped in the deep fryer you would be hard pressed to tell the diff from a piece of Erie walleye..maybe a bit fishier. You have to get all the red fatty part off the fillets..you dont get a lot of meat off a smaller fish. I don't think Id want to eat a bigger one.
Don't give up on the perch yet you will find them
We took a buddies cousin out Pickerel fishing and he was bound and determined to keep a large Sheepshead he caught. He was sure he was going to prove us wrong. He later said it tasted like"Shyte" Many moons ago I caught one by the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and an old guy from Buffalo came over and asked me if he could have it. He said he boils them and dips in butter, said it tasted just like lobster. One man's food is another's poison I guess?
@Surfnturf he means it tasted like Butter!
He mustn’t know what lobster tastes like
He mustn’t know what lobster tastes like
@trky chsr paprika has a pretty strong flavour that should hide the sh** fish taste lol
I’d try it just not going to be the guy that keeps the sheepshead cleans and cooks it.
I’d try it just not going to be the guy that keeps the sheepshead cleans and cooks it.