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

[GreatintheOutdoors]

Alot of fishing purists look down on eating bass because they CAN taste bad. This generally depends on what kind of water you are catching them out of and what they have fed on but it can also depends on how you prepare them. If you catch them out of muddy water such as a dirty lake or a muddy river, then I would probably NOT eat them unless I was starving, and if I WAS, then the best way to prep these fish is a Japanese method called Ikejime/Ikijime...this can improve the quality of the meat but keep in mind, they will still retain some of the qualities they picked up based on the water they live in and what they typically feed on. The better the water clarity, generally the better the meat tastes. I have caught, prepared and eaten bass out of crystal clear water in northern Minnesota and while they aren't as good as walleye, they are still pretty good eating. If they can sight feed off of frogs, shad, bluegill and other small baitfish the better the meat will taste...the more they have to feed off of crayfish, snails, insect hatch, basically anything they will find on the bottom based on smell (usually in bad clarity water) then the worse the meat will taste.

[bowhunter75richard]

My thoughts on bass being a good eating fish differs a little from that of amcic1994. But I did learn later in life, that if the bigger fish (over 2 1/2 pounds) are smoked, they are very good eating, but I still do not like them prepared in other ways !

[amcic1994]

I concur with pornjk porn800 redtubeDrover.

Bass is a very good eating fish and fixed properly is a meal for a king. Unless it is against the law where you are, you owe to yourself to clean and eat one just so you will know how they taste and what you have been missing.

[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.

[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.

[JasonT]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[jhjimbo]

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

[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 !

[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'

[Link]

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

[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

[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.