Dum Bass Question: Why are large mouth bass always catch and release. Anybody ever eat one? Are they any good?

[Pray- hunt-work]

Last one I cleaned was a 1/2 lb fish with a three pound rat stuck half way down his gizzard. I didn't eat it and may not eat another.

[JohnMN]

Last one I cleaned was a 1/2 lb fish with a three pound rat stuck half way down his gizzard. I didn't eat it and may not eat another.

What?? You had a 1/2 lb fish with a 3 lb rat stuck in his gizzard? The rat was 6 times heavier than the fish? I assume there's a typo in there. Did you catch this thing, or find it dead? Why were you cleaning it? So many questions????

[Pray- hunt-work]

Last one I cleaned was a 1/2 lb fish with a three pound rat stuck half way down his gizzard. I didn't eat it and may not eat another.

Lol, actually no typo. But certainly some exaggerated numbers to fluff up my story. A 2 lb bass with a mouse in his stomach isn't nearly as poetic though. Quit calling my bluff!

[ITHACASXS]

The last 2 largemouths I caught, I released them in some hot oil, but not before a quick dip in some beaten egg and lightly seasoned flour. They were wonderful, along with the big Bluegills we caught that day. We used to eat bass (large & small) all the time. I never stopped but my brother and dad did for a long while in favor of perch and walleyes. After frying up a mess for them (with big brother sneering), my father remarked: ''I had forgotten how good these were''. Brother was too busy eating to admit I was right. I do remove all skin.

[Mel]

In Fla most people of color take Bass home to eat,"Others" Take Bass for Photo Ops or Selfies.

There are so many other good tasting Fish here in Fla

race is irrelevant you fool

[Link]

Bass has musty taste. when given a choice most people pass on the bass.

[JohnnyDeuce]

race is irrelevant you fool

As strange as it may sound he's not lying. I live off the Ocklawaha River and everyone I know eats them but for whatever reason anytime I'm fishing for bass anywhere else in this state I catch hell for keeping them except for the blacks. They know these things are good eatin'

[bowhunter75richard]

As a former taxidermist, I had lots of opportunity to have bass meat from fish I was mounting. When I was sure they were fresh and well handled, I would have them smoked and they were fantastic. But I would not eat them fixed any other way !

[jhjimbo]

I always thought they tasted like the water they came from.

[MattM37]

I think the automatic catch-and-release is mainly part of the whole "bass fishing" image, i.e. the tournaments, having advertisements sewn onto your jacket, etc. I'd guess that regular joes keep a few now and again.

[Solitario Lupo]

It all depends on your taste of fish. Some only target the fish they wanna eat so if bass isn’t on the list catch and release. There’s a lot of people out their who keep them and eat them but they have to be a certain size to keep them also. A lot of the tournaments are catch and release that’s probably why you hear it a lot.

[MattM37]

My only largemouths come from the same waters I fish for crappie and perch, and I'm usually keeping a few of those if I want fish to eat. The bass are always easy to unhook, handle, and release unharmed, so back they go.

[JasonT]

In pennsylvania they are not always catch and release. If prepared right they are excelent.

[JasonT]

race is irrelevant you fool

Race is irrelevant but certain people are alot smarter when it comes to food which he stated in that comment whether he realized it or not.

[ADYLATYSA]

I had bass from Rice Lake, Ontario and it turned the butter muddy, just like the water it was swimming in.

There was a lot of guessing filezilla uc browser rufus going on around the table as to which was which. I was pretty sure the bass flesh was slightly darker and just very slightly stronger tasting, but it was all in doubt and I couldn't have told you for certain.