Freshwater Drum cooking suggestions

Anyone out there know to prepare freshwater drum/sunfish so it gets rid of the oily/fatty taste?
Have tried pan frying with limited success. You could survive on it but there has to be a better way to make it taste good.

Thanks in advance.

 

Sunfish (including the rock bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappies) and Freshwater drum are as different as two species can get - sunfish are not oily at all and best either batter and fry or bake/grill fillets over an open grill.... Freshwater drum, never tried it, but have had other oily fish - which i would smoke, or, bake wrapped in foil with a sliced up lemon, sliced onion, and seasonings of your choice - the lemon/onion will cut the grease significantly.

 

Thank you for the suggestions. Will smoke the next drum i harvest.
"Sunfish" is one of local names for drum around here.

 

If you are serious about eating freshwater drum I suggest bleeding the fish out asap and getting it on ice, this leads to a better quality of meat all around. When and if filleting them, they fillet different than a walleye. Videos on youtube provide plenty of direction. When skinning the fillets go a millimeter or two above the skin leaving the bloodline behind on the skin.
My favorite -> Cut up fillets into chunks and bring some salted water to a boil. Drop them in boiling water and once it comes back to a boil, 3-4 minutes and they are done. Serve with melted butter. (can also serve cold with seafood sauce, kinda like shrimp)
Second is smoked.
Third is blackened.
Fourth is beer battered.
Fifth is baked/bbq.

I have found ideal eaters to be 16-20 inches. These fish grow to that size "relatively" quickly and after that their growth rate slows significantly. They can also surpass 75 years of age.

 

I'm same as you, Ernie, don't eat much fish at all. Caring for them less and less all the time. If I could get the "rabbit ears" off of them and let them go that would be great!

 

Yes, but fresh Lakers, mmm mmm, you got to keep some eaters.

 

I did some experimenting on Drum a few years ago, and had posted the results on the other forum; since it is relevant, I'll cross-post.

I decided to play around a little to give them a fair chance...
All fish were filleted and de-boned as a walleye, but with a little extra liberty to cut off the fatty looking meat at the belly

1. First fillet went straight into the hot cast iron pan with a little butter/olive oil, no seasoning/spices.
Review: Overall ok, fairly strong 'fish' taste that I didn't mind but my wife didn't care for. Nice firm flaky white meat.

2. Second fillet lightly dusted with Shore lunch Italian and pan fried the same as above.
Review: slightly less 'fishy' tasting, but still not a fav. for the wife.

3. Third fillet lightly dusted in Shore lunch cajun and pan fried the same.
Review: I quite enjoyed this one, but it presented the problem of still being too 'fishy' and now too spicy for the wife. lol.

4. Fourth fillet, bare went into a simmering pan of Italian salad dressing and poached.
review: Best so far, a lot less fishy taste, still not a fav for the wife.
Note: This is her favourite way for Walleye.

5. Soaked fillet in milk for about a half hour, rinsed and pan fried same as #1.
Review: Next to no 'fishy' taste, wife approved!

6. Soaked as above, then cooked in salad dressing like #4.
Review: Couldn't tell the difference in taste between the drum, smallmouth bass and walleye. Texture VERY similar to walleye.

Overall impression:

A versatile fish, with some flavour. If people are not fans of strong tasting fish (orange roughie, bluefish, etc.) they wouldn't like the first four methods tried, but I do and I did. For the tamer at heart, the milk soaking did wonders to remove the gamyness and make it enjoyable for my wife.

I would definitely keep them again in the future!

 

nkn

Thank you for the suggestions. Actually caught a beautiful 19 inch drum late yesterday. Tried to smoke it using the bbq but didnt work out as planned. Though the fish turned out better than the pan fry. Less oil/fatty taste.
Next one i will try and soak in milk then cook.
A fun fish to catch.

 

I read this and puked in my mouth a bit........... enjoy lol

 

I read this and puked in Patty's mouth...then he puked while punching me....then we both puked. Then while cleaning up all the puke, I re-read this and puked again.

In complete honesty, if you enjoy catching and killing Drum to eat, I wish you the best Drum fishing ever, and would encourage you to fish them down to an endangered species in Lk Wpg

 

#fishsnobs

 

Sorry Mike B... Sorry that you can't expand your horizons. But hey... I guess that just means more selection for more open minded people.

Cheers

 

Sounds like the drum are going to eat all the zebras....drum are going to get even more gigantic!

 

Freshwater Drum are one of the few native species that predate on zebra mussels at all stages of life. This open water season was the first time there was a limit in place on the species (albeit a very liberal one), basically for that reason. I shit you not, I have seen 20 foot rope stringers in past seasons and trunks and back seats full of tubs of freshwater drum. There are many many many groups of people that find this species palatable and if it's not for you, that's fine it's not for you. In May we cooked up some walleye and freshwater drum a few different ways. 7 out of 8 of us preferred the drum over the walleye.

With an open mind and an empty stomach I have tried many different foods and I am glad freshwater drum was one of them. But to each their own, right!!!

 

I would try it. I'm actually the least picky eater I know. Didn't mean to bring out the Serious George in some of you.

I've seen one filleted, and granted the guy on the knife was no expert butcher....and the thing had dirt and blades of grass all over it, but the meat just looked a bit greasy and unappetizing. So much of fish, tho, is how it's cared for and prepared.

Some people get grossed out about eating Pike. i think they're delicious. I've had Shark empanadas in MX...they were decent, but Shark meat is kind of rubbery. (again, betcha it could be prepared in a more appetizing way)

There's prob more than a few things I'd never ever try, but off the top of my head I can only think of a couple--any primate...and the butthole or genitalia of any animal....or pigs feet/chicken feet......no fricken way I'd ever eat man's best friend either!!! Or cats! or brains of anything! ...k, there's lots I won't try

 

You forgot the Pope's Nose LOL

 

I will guarantee you I will never ever eat the nards; balls; goo-makers; testes; spoof containment units; family jewels; bobby danglers; of any animal....ever. You're eating spoof. You've had spoof in your mouth...sorry...you have. Yuck. I am so out, it's silly. I'd sooner eat dandelions and die of dehydration than eat an animal's load. I just couldn't get over the idea of semen in the mouth....just about gagged as i typed that

 

Grouse gizzards yummmmmmmm