eating bass

[Jebby]

hey all. im pritty much a C&R kinda guy. I will keep the odd fish if they are hooked bad and wont likely live because i do like eating them however cleaning them is an adventure. i really have no idea what im doing. mostly a bass fisherman and do well for them. does anyone have an easy method for cleaning bass (mainly largemouths) that a rookie like myself could mannage?

[Todd B.]

Hmmm....the easiest method would be to us a SUPER BASS-O-MATIC '76.

[Yannick Loranger]

A method similar to one you would use for pike is probably best.
First cut straight down to the the back bone just behind the gills. Sit the fish on its stomach and try starting from the fish's back on either side of the backbone. Cut down through the first set of small bones and then follow the ribs until you're even with the pectoral fins then cut across along the back bone to the tail. USE A VERY SHARP KNIFE!!

I've only filleted a few largies in my day and found it more difficult than other fish, I tried using the same method I use for walleye but I ended up wasting quite a bit of meat. I'm sure you can find something good on youtube.
Tight lines,
Yannick

[bm_attar]

Hmmm....the easiest method would be to us a SUPER BASS-O-MATIC '76.

Disgusting but funny

I remember at LeBaron, they sell scale removal tool that is supposed to make removing the scales very quick and easy. I never used it myself though.

[Jebby]

lmao fish soup anyone? for real though thanks for the tips. will look around on youtube and see what i can do. going out tonight maybe il keep one and try it out

[bruce]

good job yan ! ya bring any back to rockland i'll help you eat em !

[bruce]

get a good knife a nd dont eat bass over 2 pounds,if ya see lots of black spot or white grubs why bother

[Bass Addict]

however cleaning them is an adventure.

Bass weren't made to be eaten...

[jwhite]

however cleaning them is an adventure.

Bass weren't made to be eaten...

Yep....not good at all.....that $hit will kill ya!

[Fishin Musician]

You can bring me a couple of 2 lbs I will sure take care of cleaning them up.


Just take the meat off the bones. Start from the gills cut along the back when you feel bone lift your knife so you don't feel bone anymore.

Quick easy and tasty as long as they are smaller. The 4-5 lbs taste like what has been pouring into the Ottawa River

Plus the big ones need to stay in the river so another lucky Fish Hawker can post one of those pictures with their arms extended so it looks like a 8lbs fish.

[Hookup]

You tube is your friend. I cannot access it here from work or i'd find some good vids... but I watched about 1/2 dozen how to clean pike without bones videos and got it down.. the next 3lber was cleaned up an worked just fine...

Fish are not hard to clean (bonless)... but it does take practice...

[Graembo]

Bass are Poison

http://www.bassarepoison.com

[Jebby]

thanks guys. id be happy to share but since im in windsor you may have a hick to pick them up lol. i support C&R i was just wondering because on occasion i deephook one and i hate to see it wasted.

[bradford2]

You fish St. Clair mostly? I grew up in Leamington...... sure miss that place.

They aren't hard to clean. Like the other suggested, view some youtube vids and you'll be a pro in no time.

Rarely though do I clean a fish with a regular knife anymore. Always use the electric. Zip Zip Slice Slice Next!

[Wallyboss]

Got to agree with Brad, Once you go electric you can't go back. It cut down my time of filleting by half (if you have lots to do) especially panfish
or Crappies

By the way I haven't cleaned a bass lately but i am pretty sure that they have same rib setup as walleyes. So I fillet them exactly like I would a walleye.