Are flathead catfish edible? I caught a catfish in central PA in a lake and I think it’s most likely a flat head catfish. Bastard bit me so I decided I wanted to eat him. Now I’m...

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Are flathead catfish edible?

Jun 2, 2021 10:15:41 #

FS Digest

I caught a catfish in central PA in a lake and I think it’s most likely a flat head catfish.

Bastard bit me so I decided I wanted to eat him. Now I’m wondering, can you eat catfish? I was always told they’re too bony and taste nasty on account of being bottom feeders.

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by tombom789

Jun 2, 2021 10:21:14 #

BIG Smallmouth Loc: columbus, ohio

Yes you can eat catfish, channel cat is better than shovelhead in my opinion

Jun 2, 2021 10:39:42 #

Half Okie Loc: SW Idaho

Nothing wrong with Catfish. They aren't just bottom feeders. Best bait when I was in Oklahoma was live Bluegill. Usually 3-5 inches

Jun 2, 2021 11:33:29 #

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

Yup they are yummy and not bony. Skin first then cut down below the gill plate then run your knife down on one side of backbone until you hit rib cage and follow it all the way down until your knife goes all the way through the slide it to its tail. Then take your knife and slide it along the outside of ribs. Repeat on other side. Cut all the brown streak out on each side. Leave it in and it’ll taste like crap.

Jun 2, 2021 13:20:14 #

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

We call those cats, Yellow Catfish here. As far as I've ever known, the bone structure of all catfish are the same, so if you are familiar with any species of catfish, you are then familair with all.

The larger fish, whether blue cats or Yellow cats, prefer to eat live bait; so sun fish or perch are high on their list and will more likely reward you with catching bigger fish.

So, if you are likely to hook up with a big cat, say 15 pounds and larger, you are going to need heavier duty tackle. Just Sayin...RJS

Jun 2, 2021 13:41:21 #

D Tong Loc: San Francisco,Ca

Here where I am at in Northern California we have channel,bullhead and flatheads. All are good eating especially when you deep fry them in a beer 🍺 batter with a good seasoning and as one of the other gent’s suggested use live bait for the big ones

Jun 2, 2021 13:58:37 #

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Also keep only white meat. no red or yellow meat.

Jun 2, 2021 14:20:55 #

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, we always preferred the smaller catfish, say 5 lbs and under. Those that were truely big, were just not as tasty. Just Sayin...RJS

Jun 3, 2021 13:30:54 #

harleypiker Loc: WA

once you eat walleye...you'll never go back to catfish

Jun 3, 2021 14:05:48 #

drgeorge63 Loc: las vegas

Yea, but there are no Walleye in 'Vegas. (LOL)

Jun 3, 2021 14:23:45 #

michael4now Loc: wilder id

FS Digest wrote:

they are very good

Jun 3, 2021 15:06:49 #

captjim Loc: Antioch Ca

Robert J Samples wrote:

We call those cats, Yellow Catfish here. As far a... (show quote)

Plenty of catfish here in the Cal. delta. Largest I have caught was a 15 lb channel cat. Have also caught what we call mudcats on a live mudsucker. I think of catfish similar to sharks, Combination of scavenger and predator.

Jun 3, 2021 16:23:16 #

mnb Loc: B-L,SC

Here in SC big cat we make catfish stew. We eat all catfish they are good use white meat

Jun 3, 2021 16:29:37 #

ninwnc Loc: western NC

Just fillet'em like you would a bass. Put some flour, cornmeal, salt & pepper in a brown lunch bag and shake it up. Then drop in your fillets one at a time and shake it again. Fry'em up and enjoy.

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