Fillets versus Whole Fish

[Fishin Fool]

Back when I was a kid we didn't know the first thing about filleting a fish. We always scaled them, gutted them, took the heads off and cooked them whole. The bones weren't much of an issue. I've always (since I was 13) filleted mine since, but I got to thinking about how good those whole fish were. I haven't tried them in years but think I will next time I go fishing. Anyone else eat the fish prepared whole? Talking about crappie and bream and shellcrackers mainly.

 

[EricM]

Brings back many memories ( in black and white, of course. No color then emoBigsmile ). My cousin and I would catch a big bucket full and clean them the same way, and it was family dinner! I too have only done fillets for years and years - but you bring back great times! emoToast

 

[Guest]

I fixed some spots that way a few years a go, they were fantastic. This is the way we always fixed them when I was a kid, the only drawback is if the fish is too long for the frying pan, we would cut them into big steaks, cut across the back after they were scaled and gutted.

 

[Fishin Fool]

The reason I ask is that some folks think that leaving the bones in adds flavor and moisture to the meat. When I was young and lived up in the country the family across the road didn't have electric power. They did all their cooking on a wood stove. I can still recall the smell of fish frying with that wood smoke smell. When I got older I offered to fillet the fish for them and they always refused, saying they liked the taste better whole.

 

[3CRAZY2KHM3R]

hmmm well fishin fool my family never learned to fillet fish and we like our fish whole..we love crappie and bream whole and some cats as well..but the bigger cat have to b cut into steaks...but for the whole pan fish issue..we just scale tehm and we remove the gill flaps and that's about it ..season them wit a lil salt,msg, and sugar and score thema dn pan fry them to our liking... and they are delicious..but my freezers runnign low on crappie and bream righ now ..have a few cats left..but the crappie bite in georgia is almost in full effect now..

 

[polo-dog]

I like mine filleted as I don't like the stronger taste that the crappie and other fish have with the fish whole. I'm just a wimp I guess.

 

[Ronnie Garrison]

I agree - scaled and gutted a couple of crappie and bluegill last year and fried them - never again. Way to strong a fishy taste to me.

OTOH - I make a fish stew that I boil what I call wings and backs - the rib cages and backbones - of bass I filet to make a stock - it is very fishy tasting and I love it.

 

[trashtrout]

I scale and gut most bluegill ,

but on crappie I will scale them then cut the fillet off but leave the skin on. Some people like it better it just retains some of the fish taste.

 

[drumking]

I have only eaten bluegills and trout whole like that, Terry. I have been thinking about doing a couple of crappie that way, but after reading a couple of negative posts, I don't think that I will try them whole. They are so good good filleted, why would you want to go to the extra time and effort to clean them the old fashion way? emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[Guest]

Here is one for you guys. A friend of mine likes whole fish. His wife will only eat fillets. When he cleans his fish he only fillets one side for his wife and leaves the other side on the bones. Works for him and he has the best of both.
I like fish either way but usually fillet them because it is much easier and faster.

 

[SpurHunter]

One word....BONES. I hate them little suckers!
If I want bones in my food, I am gonna eat a t-bone steak or pork chop. When I sit down for fish, it better be 100% edible. Just my preference.

 

[Guest]

I would like to add a bit of information I have found out about fish, especially bass and crappie, and bluegills, If you catch these fish from a small private lake where the water supply is clean and spring fed, the fish will have an outstanding flavor compared to fish from the river or lake. These locations are hard to come by but check it out when you get to fish them. In my opinion this is the reason trout tastes so good, they live in very clean water.

 

[Bprice]

I love whole catfish... I've eaten whole bream as well, but didn't care for it much.

 

[drumking]

cheez - 1/12/2009 9:41 AM

Here is one for you guys. A friend of mine likes whole fish. His wife will only eat fillets. When he cleans his fish he only fillets one side for his wife and leaves the other side on the bones. Works for him and he has the best of both.
I like fish either way but usually fillet them because it is much easier and faster.

That's a great idea, John. I think that I may try this soon. emoGeezer

 

[Fishin Fool]

cheez - 1/12/2009 9:41 AM

Here is one for you guys. A friend of mine likes whole fish. His wife will only eat fillets. When he cleans his fish he only fillets one side for his wife and leaves the other side on the bones. Works for him and he has the best of both.
I like fish either way but usually fillet them because it is much easier and faster.

I have to admit......that is inventive!

 

[Guest]

If you like whole, but don't like to scale them, get a Townsend fish skinner. Makes short work taking the skin off whole fish (of course you can use it on fillets too).

 

[Guest]

SpurHunter - 1/12/2009 9:51 AM

One word....BONES. I hate them little suckers!
If I want bones in my food, I am gonna eat a t-bone steak or pork chop. When I sit down for fish, it better be 100% edible. Just my preference.

If you would chew your fish instead of inhaling it, bones would not be a problem. emoPoke emoBigsmile

 

[Guest]

Spur has one mouth and 2 hands, he can't syncranize all three.