Late Summer Whites...

[mic]

So how did the neighbor's cat taste...

We ran into a feeding frenzy a week ago on point flat near a drop off off. We had never fished for or ate White Bass and so we took a two home and used Zatarins and an oily skillet. They were brought home alive in the live well and I immediately filleted them, cut out the red meat, soaked them in fresh water for a few hours etc.

They were SO nasty to us and we could not eat them. I think they tasted like shad smells! The neighbor's cat thought i was okay.

If anyone has a recipe/technique for cooking that would be great.

[Bitethis]

Been catching my cats in about 8-20 FOW, depending on time of day. If its high noon im deeper, in a channel if possible. Early morning or late evening im more shallow, flats are great in the evening, 8-12 FOW. Im using shad I catch prior to rigging up, and drifting. Usually go with a partner, 3 rods a piece, 6 across the side of boat, and turn the boat sideways so wind can push us accross the lake. Use trolling motor to keep us parallel. After dark, break out the black lights since I am using flourescent blue/clear line, and then my line lights up like 1/4" rope - reduces line crossing. on a good trip, we can usually boat 20, cull 3 or 4 in less than 4 hours. I have done this at Stockton and Pomme...place on the lake doesnt matter, terrain is what matters. The shallow when late/early, and deep at high noon is just a guide, it isn't sacred. There have been times at 11pm that I have gone out to 20 FOW and had all 3 pole pop at once. I usually like to go to an area of the lake that I can get to these different terrains easily in the dark. For example, Aldrich is a great place...below the bridge is mostly flats...i can shad up there. I will give it one good drift, 30-45 mins, and if I land 2+ per fisherman, we will run back to other side and do it again. If I come up empty handed, we will run up 1/4 mile or so and drift there where its a little deaper, gravelier, etc. Change it up till you find what they want. I use 6/0 circle hooks, and as many shad as I can get on the hook - usually 6-8. Hope this helps! I haven't missed a limit in the last 7 or times I have gone out. Havent fished more than 5 hours at a time.

As for the whites - these fish are our families favorite fish to eat. They are so tasty! When people try to "cover up" the taste, it is usually the bloodline, which I just cut out leaving a still rather large fillet. I do the usualy presoak in water, but 20 mins before droping in a grease bath I will drop my fillets in a bowl of frenches mustard. (No the fish don't come out tasting like mustard), then I will use cornmeal/flour & lemonpepper to batter...makes some Hushpuppies, a homemade tarter sauce and malt vinagar, viola! Its a staple in our house!

[wuteversbitin424]

thanks for the info...going the weekend of the 20th...hope to hook up on some cats and eye's!!

good luck everyone!!