Trip Of 5/19

[straw hat]

Dollar Bill, the cats are tearing it up on the rocks. You should do well. I am thinking about a catfish trip on Tues.

Saltydawg, Definitly minnows. Love those those minnows.

Brian, don't know much about Cedar Ridge, but sure do see a lot of posts of some nice catchs. I am sure some of the other guys can fill in hte blanks.

[sandbc]

Brian, I always fished the Greenfield area till I got talked into to trying Cedar Ridge. I fish Greenfield in early spring during spawn then move to Cedar for the rest of the year. I have always caught more fish and bigger fish there. Nice area and far enough away from the big water where the recreational boaters are. Lots of close brush piles and can always catch around the bridge.

[sandbc]

Forgot. Congrats to your wife strawhat. Maybe she can teach you sometime. Haha. Heck maybe she can teach me. Does she want to be my partner in our little tourney?

[Nwtf gobbler]

Way to go Straw Hat, and to your wife too. Those are some nice fish. Especially the walleye. I'm starting to see what my problem has been...not using minnows. Sounds like they are producing more fish than jigs lately. I'm hoping to get up there Tuesday or Wednesday evening and try my luck again. Leave some for me Straw!

[charliehorsejigs]

Great job Strawhat and Wife. I'm glad you really got into the fish. We took the kids and grandkids fishing at a private lake near home on Friday. Caught several fish but none worth keeping. Looking forward to this fall when I'm healed up better and can go out on the lake again. Good luck everybody at Stockton.

[9LB]

I see you kept some White's. I have heard mixed reviews on the taste. Some guy was telling me they have a nasty blood line ?? I have caught many but have never ate any of them. Are they any good or any tricks to cleaning or cooking them ? I have eaten about everything else in the lake but never a white.

[Walcrabass]

9 lb,

I have to reply to your comment on the whites. This will take care of any "rough" fish you catch.

In a bowl with a couple of quarts of water add your fillets. Pour in about 1/4 pound of salt. Add 1 or 2 Tablespoons of WHITE VINEGAR. Do NOT USE ANY OTHER VINEGAR!!!!!!!! Soak them in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Take them out and rinse them and the bowl real well. Put the fillets back with water only. Soak again for 24 hours. Repeat the rinsing and plain water for 3 more days. At the end of this time your fillets will be "White Meat" and you will not taste any of the blood streak in them. We eat Drum, Carp, White Bass, etc. and they are all good.

We also fix our fish on the grill or in the oven on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam. We just sprinkle on some Greek seasoning mix and bake until done. They are fantastic and NO GREASE!!!

[straw hat]

Walcrabass speaks the truth. On whites in particular you might try this... Fillet them, scrape the dark red meat off the fillets on the side that was attached to the skin. The fillets are pretty edible then but I think they are really good if you put some lemon oil on them over night (this removes any remaining strong taste just like the white vinegar) then rinse and cook as any other fillet. I am not a big fish eater but the people at church sure gobble them up.

[sandbc]

All I do on the white bass is trim as much of the dark meat off the filet as possiable. You cant really get it all but the darkest strip down the center is the most important. Then I just soak in salt water overnight if possiable but have for just a short time too if going to eat some right away. If you will cut your filets in smaller pieces I think you will find they will fry crisper and have less fishy taste which is the way my wife prefers them. I also like to use McCormicks Cajun seasoning. It has nice flavor without to much spice. Happy eating. P.S. Dont forget the fried potatoes and onions.

[9LB]

Thanks for the tips and for sealing the deal for me. The Whites are getting thrown back ! Too much work when Walleyes r a plenty.