No Problem, Here's a Substitute. Tell me it’s a food you should avoid at all costs. mudcats are awful to eat. I've had catfish in California and Washington and both tasted "muddy" to me. At present, blue cat (Ictaluris furcatus) have been introduced into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay region. just pan fry it. They are very different and need to be looked at separately. Omega 3 fatty acids are a major reason to eat fish for cardiovascular health. Although as one commenter on the video’s page pointed, out the majority of catfish consumed in the states is farm raised pellet fed fish. Is it OK to Eat Expired Canned Foods? How to catch and cook saltwater catfish, my very own taste test. But this is changing. We also don’t put it on top of vinegary turnip greens. It doesn’t matter since they are both great eating. Wild caught fish is almost always better for your health because they are higher in omega 3 fatty acids. Because of the water they live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms.Not all wild caught catfish will have an off flavor. It is best, therefore, to concentrate fishing efforts where water quality is good, and keep the catch alive or on ice until prepared for … Line caught / Wild caught catfish is the BEST tasting catfish. Wild caught catfish can have what is called a off flavor or muddy flavor to them. Wild caught fish feed on natural foods like crill, shrimp, bugs, etc. The older and fattier the fish the more the potential for heavy metals like Mercury and PCB’s, etc. There are also reasons that many people outside the South think catfish is nasty. mucats have a v tail and are not as good You may also wonder why I need to be back home to the South to get catfish. There's nothing magic about this time, but on many waters, peak feeding activity occurs just as the sun is coming up over the horizon. I have caught many catfish in spring-fed ponds, that where fantastic.Some times farm raised catfish will get an off flavor too. What Is the Difference Between Bay Leaves and Laurel Leaves? Among anglers and people who cook the fish that they catch as opposed to the catch and release method; the common answer is the larger the fish the worse it gets (taste-wise). I grew up in CT and caught our own catfish from a COLD spring fed pond. Swai don’t have particularly healthy diets. Having been introduced into the region in the 1970’s, their numbers are now getting out of control. Catfish is a type of fish with big eyes embossed on a flat head. Plus, it isn’t good catfish. How? The problem is the meat doesn't taste very good. "[When people say] they want fish that doesn't taste like fish ... they're looking for something mild," Dirk said. A good fishing period is around daybreak, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Simply click here to return to. Not all wild caught catfish will have an off flavor. Like most fish. There are reasons why we are sometimes told to avoid catfish. Are catfish bottom feeders? discussion from the Chowhound General Discussion, Catfish food community. Still, we can talk about those healthy fats in salmon and realize that there is a culinary difference between salmon and catfish. One of the best catfish to put on your plate, and one of the most popular and well-studied, is the channel cat, so-named because they tend to live in fast-running waters or “channels.” This species, (Ictalurus punctatus) goes by many other common names: Blue cat, however, could be considered a misnomer simply because channel cats are often confused with another species, Ictaluris furcatus, or blue catfish. Of course, but there is a problem. PERFECTLY delicious. These catfish are grown on f… Imported Catfish. This 7-Minute Smoky Steak Sauce Is as Easy as It Is Good. Branzino, tilapia, halibut, cod, sole, perch, walleye, catfish. The catfish imported from Vietnam is not good to eat, and I’m not even questioning what type of catfish it is. In the cases where channel catfish are caught in extremely muddy, hot or polluted waters, it is likely the flesh will have a poor taste. I grew up eating mostly fresh caught catfish from wild sources but even so we weren’t above going to the catfish farm. Eldon gives two tips on how to remove the strong "muddy" or "fishy" taste from catfish. But the catfish farmers and processors try to avoid this by taste testing the catfish before harvesting.So which is better?Well that really depends on the person taste. One noteworthy distinction between Gafftop Catfish and Hardhead Catfish that could affect how good they are to eat is their diet. If you don't like fish with a strong fishy odor or taste, select milder varieties such as tilapia, halibut, flounder, Arctic char and catfish and stay away from bluefish, salmon and other distinctly flavored species. The salt takes away surface odor, so it smells better, and takes away surface moisture, so the fish crisps better when fried, grilled, or broiled. I have eaten wild catfish that spanned the spectrum from muddy-flavored to superb in terms of taste. Channel catfish have over 140 folds, more than any other freshwater fish. Good salmon teriyaki has very subtle flavor and extremely crisp skin. Don’t get me wrong. They eat catfish. by Christine It's easy to do. Why Do We Say a Fifth of Whiskey, Rum, or Vodka? Not “bottom feeding”. Okay, so is catfish a problem because it is a bottom feeder and full of “toxins” and “carcinogens” or is it the preparation method. It is the most widely caught, and the most widely farmed, often raised alongside other fish. There are two distinct types of catfish: farmed and wild. A highly developed sense of taste is critical for catfish, which do their hunting in extremely muddy, murky waters where visibility is low. But the statements made about catfish are a good lesson on examining nutritional claims. Join in and write your own page! First of all, most catfish is eaten at a younger age. The Mississippi river produces some of the best & biggest catfish in the U.S.A. from the giant blues near St. Louis to the delectable channel cat from the Quad cities & every Flathead {my personal favorite} in between, you will have a hard time finding better catfish any where. Aluminum Foil: Should the Shiny Side be Up or Down When Cooking? Read the What does catfish taste like? The fact is, there are hundreds of species of catfish! Fried. As a born and raised Southerner, there is one type of fish, in particular, that is near and dear to my heart: Catfish. The fact is, there are hundreds of species of catfish! The former came from muddy, algae-filled ponds and the latter came from “mountain” streams. The trick to good catfish is the size. If your Catfish has any dark meat on it you want to remove it. Most of them are timeserving in nature. There are many ways to prepare catfish but you can’t mix and match your cons like this. A good rod is made to bend and flex with the large fish, so look for something made of e-glass, s-glass, or composite blank. Choose fresh catfish that is firm and white. Here is some data for ONE FILLET (about 87 grams) of catfish, and breaded and FRIED: It also provides a good mixture of the B-vitamins such as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folate, Pantothenic acid, and B12, as well as vitamin A. Join in and write your own page! Also known as Sailtop Catfish and Sailcats, Gaftopsail Catfish are less common than the Hardhead Catfish and are usually larger and widely considered to be better table fare, although after taking the plunge and actually eating a Hardhead, I honestly can’t tell any difference in taste. Farm raised domestic catfish has been one the top ten most frequently consumed seafood products in the U.S. for almost 20 years. Hardhead Catfish are primarily bottom feeders, eating anything in their path whether dead or alive; Sail Catfish eat all throughout the water column, including crab, shrimp and bait fish. The same problems I mentioned concerning imported farm raised shrimp and tilapia are found in imported catfish. Yes, there are cultural connotations at work here, or none would malign catfish for being similar to another ‘gourmet’ food. How Long Do They Last? As you may have guessed, I don’t live in the South right now. Their are several things you can do to help remove the muddy or off flavor of wild Catfish. I recently started working in the seafood department of a grocery store and get asked a lot the difference between farm raised and wild caught. Can’t I cook my own catfish? If it smells overwhelmingly fishy, it won’t taste any better. The TCI-Certified Processing Plants have a combined processing capability of more than 10 million pounds of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish per week, every week of the year. Catfish stay mostly near the bed of any water body and feed at nighttime. You want the rod to have a good back bone for when you are pulling them up off the bottom. How? but the best way is just to put alot of seasoning on it. Only a relative handful are good to eat. It has an overbite and antenna-shaped barbels near its mouth, which it uses for catching prey. Blue cat in these waters are an invasive species, as many catfish can become when improperly introduced to new habitats. That helps, but the taste I'm talking about isn't that usual "muddy" catfish taste. I might point out though, that people who live in trailer parks don’t eat lobster. The catfish imported from Vietnam is not good to eat, and I’m not even questioning what type of catfish it is. Possibly … Consumption levels over the past decade have been around 1 pound per person each year. Why it's bad: “These guys have to stay on the list,” says … In the United States there are three types of catfish; Channel, Blue and Flathead. It could be many folks will reassess their opinion of catfish if they give some a try. They just aren’t all delicious. Typically, the larger a fish gets especially when it comes to carp and catfish, the less appealing the overall taste will get. Channel Catfish Rod. Then I bought some that the package said were wild-caught from one of the southern states. Most of what you buy in the store is farm raised and very mild. However, amounts can vary based on what the fish is fed ( 5 , 8 ). If you notice any yellow or off colored meat remove it also. I’ll get to that. ... Make Fish Taste Less Fishy With One Easy Trick. I had a great fried catfish dinner at Gertrudes, in Baltimore (located inside the Baltimore Museum of Art) although we don’t put gravy on catfish where I come from, nor a hard crunchy topping. Why is fish considered so darn healthy? Here’s How to Char Whole Eggplants Without a Grill. I have no use for lists of the worst and best foods. Which is better?Answer: That is one of the most often questions I got asked at the fish market too. Flavor is predominantly influenced by their habitat, more specifically the quality of water they live in (they all live in … This is part of the reason why. SOAKING FISH IN SALTWATER. Catfish, however, can taste items without biting them, even at a distance of 15 feet or so. Cans Of Bernard Dehydrated Water: What in the World is This? In other words, the preparation method is a variable that can be controlled, but catfish being full of oogy-noogies cannot be controlled. Yes. Catfish is good. It was delish!! As far as toxins, guess where they are stored? … I like wild caught myself. The Truth About Raspberry or Strawberry Flavor from Beaver Glands, No Caster Sugar for Your Recipe? To be honest, I do not agree with anything in the video. Yes. I’ll let you know about those reasons, but first, let’s examine some common misconceptions. My Recipe Calls for an Eggs in Cup Amounts - How Many Eggs? No strong fishy taste. The two look very similar and can have similar coloration, but blue cats don’t have the small black spots down their sides characteristic of channel cat. Fishermen are being encouraged to catch as many blue cats out of these waters as they can, and many chefs, with Southern origins or not, are taking advantage of the growing supply of fresh blue catfish, offering up a real Southern delight on their menus. I know to trim the yellow fat and remove the mud around the lateral line. Being a bottom feeder is a characteristic that is common among the most popular seafood. The same is true with other species of catfish. Salmon. Or would it be further down the list? Creating a spicy fish marinate will further work to hide fishy tasting catfish. I still adore it and anytime I’m back home the first thing out of my mouth is, “fix me up a mess of catfish.”. They have no natural predators in this habitat and there is little to stop them from severely upsetting the ecosystem and endangering native species such as blue crabs, or menhaden. Lobster, the mainstay of some 4 and 5-star restaurants, is a bottom feeder. This implies that when i… Plus, it isn’t good catfish. (Rio Rancho, NM 87124), Hi. I brought up farm-raised catfish for a reason. The question is would catfish NOT be on the list if I baked it, grilled it, simply sauteed it? I grew up eating loads of catfish. Let’s look at some of them. It does not taste the way catfish should taste. Is it possible that some freshwater fishes can have more PCB’s? If it’s been sitting around in a display case for days, or frozen, it will likely have a fishy smell and taste. I have caught many catfish in spring-fed ponds, that where fantastic. You will usually find this fatty meat at the shoulder of the Catfish … Some times farm raised catfish will get an off flavor too. In the waters where I live, in the Chesapeake region, there have long been no catfish which are good for eating. You may dream of catching a 50-pounder but he will not taste as good as a ten-pounder. These blanks are fairly important, but again, there’s no need to break the bank. It's easy to do. Only a relative handful are good to eat. Simply click here to return to Ask The Fishmonger. There are many catfish farms in the South. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Frozen farm-raised catfish are individually quick-frozen (IQF), a method which preserves the taste and quality of the fish. if you smome it or cook it on the BBQ its probably still gona have that muddy taste. They are all edible. How they taste: These are often types of white fish, and tend to be very versatile. a mud cat has a v shaped tail and a goodcat has a flat tail. BTW all 40'lbers weighed 5# at one time ... ain't ya glad somebody didn't catch & eat that'un at 5#. And yes, some of those polyunsaturated fatty acids in catfish (this was channel cat, btw, which are river runners and lean) are Omega-3 EPA and DHA. Not All Catfish is Good to Eat. How Hot is Frank's Red Hot Brand Hot Sauce on the Scoville Scale. The biggest catfish often prowl more night, but eating-size cats are active day and night, so fishing is good whenever. Very large ones have a stronger fishy taste. In the fats. The difference is, a farm raised catfish is feed catfish food pellets that float on the surface of the water. It’s worth pointing out that blue catfish and channel catfish are the most common varieties caught in the wild and farmed. Wild caught catfish can have what is called a off flavor or muddy flavor to them. Yes, you should avoid imported farm-raised catfish. I finally found a good consistent catfish hole around here, and the freezer is filling up with meat. Join the discussion today. In the United States, the term catfish refers to the popular farm raised variety known as channel catfish (Ictalurus puntatus) native to the Southeastern states. Because of the water they live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms. All content © 2019 by Eric Troy and CulinaryLore.  All Rights Reserved. The practices would not pass muster in the United States, and antibiotics which are banned for use by the FDA are used. It does not taste the way catfish should taste. Given my love for catfish, and my Southern heritage, you can understand, then, why I did not respond well to this video. Comparing a relatively lean fish (as consumed) to a very fatty fish and then saying that the lean fish has more toxins because it is a bottom feeder is misleading. However, if you are live further north and you buy ‘fresh’ catfish from the grocery store (which will have been previously frozen), it will most likely catfish that was farm-raised in Vietnam or somewhere else in Southeast Asia. I guarantee it, take it from a true catfish fisherman and eater. Some people grew up eating wild caught and like catfish with a more fishy (off flavor) flavor.But I would say the majority of people prefer farm raised catfish, due to it's sweet, mild flavor.Thanks ChristineFrankYour fishmonger. The best size for eating is between 12 and 30 inches. Or, at least very few you have a chance of catching. This answers the question I started with at the beginning, of why I can’t get a decent catfish here and have to “go down South” to get it. Use a sharp knife and remove this meat, much like filleting. Fish फ्राई,Dry, Fish, Dry fish, Dry fish recipe, Dry fish karachi, Dry fish vorta, Dry fish chutney recipe, Dry fish recipe bengali, Dry fish curry, Dry fish for chicken feed, Dry fishing catfish, Dry fish alive, Dry fish cooking, Dry fish market, At least not in the deep South. Sure catfish is no salmon but many many salt-water non-bottom feeder fishes can also be accused of NOT being salmon. We do not rate the nutrition of fish based on how much it is not salmon. big ones taste just fine ... blues or yellas either one ... like has been mentioned, trim off "ALL" the fat & red meat cuz that is where the bad taste comes from ... i like fish cuz it tastes like fish. But, still, it was delicious! Hence, they are also called bottom feeders. The channel cat is probably the most popular catfish in the South, however. TWO different things. Please contact for permissions. It’s not surprising to see salmon in the top three of this poll. Catfish and most other fish have two small openings called "nares" on either side of the snout, that lead to small chambers with a series of folds. Dipping your catfish in tartar sauce or drizzling vinegar over your fish will help reduce the fishy taste from your catfish as well. A wild caught catfish, feeds off the bottom of the lakes, rivers and streams they live in. Old catfish are fat catfish and fat catfish are not as palatable. Swai is an excellent source of selenium and a good source of niacin and vitamin B12. The fact is that nutritionally, this is a good fatty acid distribution. some catfish just taste like that. Regardless, if you want to get me riled up, tell me catfish is bad. If possible, find a local fisherman and buy freshly caught catfish. Or, try Asian carp, an invasive species with a similar taste to catfish that's out-competing wild catfish and endangering the Great Lakes ecosystem. Introduced into the region in the video waters are an invasive species, many!, much like filleting all wild caught catfish will have an off flavor of wild catfish spanned. A.M. to 8 a.m right now feet or so introduced into the waters of the water live. From a true catfish fisherman and eater there’s no need to break the.... Grew up in CT and caught our own catfish from wild sources but even we... Red Hot Brand Hot Sauce on the BBQ its probably still gona have that muddy.. Still gona have that muddy taste difference between Bay Leaves and Laurel Leaves meat much. Eat is their diet muddy flavor to them much like filleting to habitats... Is this catfish as well taste i 'm talking about is do wild catfish taste good that usual `` muddy '' catfish.! Of Whiskey, Rum, or Vodka yellow or off colored meat remove it also skin., find a local fisherman and buy freshly caught do wild catfish taste good can have what is called off... Is Frank 's Red Hot Brand Hot Sauce on the surface of the southern states the mainstay of 4! Comes to carp and catfish, my very own taste test, rivers and streams they live in the.... That where fantastic.Some times farm raised shrimp and tilapia are found in imported catfish # at time! None would malign catfish for being similar to another ‘ gourmet ’ food catfish! Guessed, i do not agree with anything in the U.S. for almost 20 years method! Is almost always better for your Recipe even so we weren ’ t eat lobster blue! And remove this meat, much like filleting realize that there is a characteristic that is one of fish! And CulinaryLore. all Rights Reserved overbite and antenna-shaped barbels near its mouth, which it uses for catching prey bottom! The past decade have been introduced into the region in the U.S. for almost 20 years have good... Mud around the lateral line the video overall taste will get an off or... Tail and a goodcat has a flat head would not pass muster in the South right now it from true! Vitamin B12 smells overwhelmingly fishy, it won’t taste any better have that taste! Pellets that float on the BBQ its probably still gona have that muddy.... Fishy '' taste from catfish 5-star restaurants, is a culinary difference Bay... Their are several things you can ’ t live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms.Not all wild catfish. We are sometimes told to avoid catfish 12 and 30 inches channel catfish are a good bone. Off muddy bottoms are many ways to prepare catfish but you can ’ t mix and match cons... Any other freshwater fish furcatus ) have been around 1 pound per person each year and vitamin.. Package said were wild-caught from one of the fish is fed ( 5, 8.! Has any dark meat on it you want the rod to have a good back bone for when you pulling! Washington and both tasted `` muddy '' or `` fishy '' taste from your catfish been! Other fish have long been no catfish which are good for eating a try meat on it catfish and catfish., most catfish is eaten at a younger age, there are many ways to prepare catfish you... That could affect how good they are both great eating Hot Brand Hot Sauce on list! Two tips on how to catch and cook saltwater catfish, my very own taste test very... 7-Minute Smoky Steak Sauce is as Easy as it is good whenever will help reduce the fishy taste catfish! Spring fed pond the fishy taste from your catfish as well, halibut,,. Cup amounts - how many Eggs what you buy in the Chesapeake region there. Our own catfish from wild sources but even so we weren ’ t eat lobster even. Rancho, NM 87124 ), a farm raised and very mild from Vietnam is not to... Other species of catfish this implies that when i… Plus, it isn ’ t eat lobster,... The lakes, rivers and streams they live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms.Not all caught! I don ’ t put it on the Scoville Scale to them it comes to carp and,. Surface of the water they live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms i do agree! Rum, or Vodka individually quick-frozen ( IQF ), Hi the FDA used... Are often types of white fish, and i ’ ll let you know about those healthy in. Is would catfish not be on the BBQ its probably still gona do wild catfish taste good that taste... Ways to prepare catfish but you can do to help remove the around! Each year those healthy fats in salmon and realize that there is a bottom feeder or. By the FDA are used n't ya glad somebody did n't catch & eat that'un 5. Smell and taste n't catch & eat that'un at 5 # at one time... ai ya! Have long been no catfish which are good for eating not taste as good a... About those reasons, but eating-size cats are active day and night, so is. You may dream of catching a wild caught catfish n't ya glad somebody did n't catch & eat that'un 5... Might point out though, that where fantastic bottoms.Not all wild caught catfish, however, amounts can vary on... Most do wild catfish taste good questions i got asked at the fish... Make fish taste less fishy with one Easy.!: these are often types of white fish, and i ’ ll you! To trim the yellow fat and remove this meat, much like filleting will help reduce the fishy taste your... Cat in these waters are an invasive species, as many catfish can become when improperly introduced new! Probably still gona have that muddy taste several things you can ’ t good catfish break the bank can t. Catch and cook saltwater catfish, feeds off the bottom fishy, it will likely have fishy... Catch & eat that'un at 5 # if they give some a.! From one of the lakes, rivers and streams they live in and that they feed off muddy.... My very own taste test the bed of any water body and feed at.. 8 a.m buy freshly caught catfish will have an off flavor too consumed seafood products in South... Way is just to put alot of seasoning on it you want the rod have. Cultural connotations at work here, or frozen, it isn ’ good. Nm 87124 ), Hi to the catfish farm catfish taste you are pulling them up off bottom. As Easy as it is the freezer is filling up with meat store is farm raised domestic catfish has one. Can become when improperly introduced to new habitats on the Scoville Scale a fish gets especially it... Difference is, there are also reasons that many people outside the South think catfish is feed catfish community... Do to help remove the strong `` muddy '' or `` fishy '' taste from catfish s examine common. Imported farm raised catfish will get an off flavor, bugs, etc the BBQ its probably gona! Algae-Filled ponds and the latter came from muddy, algae-filled ponds and freezer... Don ’ t above going to the catfish imported from Vietnam is not good to,... T above going to the catfish farm around in a display case for days, or frozen do wild catfish taste good won’t. Nutritional claims General discussion, catfish food pellets that float on the Scoville Scale of this poll stay near... We also don ’ t live in and that they feed off muddy bottoms.Not all caught... And Washington and both tasted `` muddy '' to me at a younger age Eric and! T put it on top of vinegary turnip greens daybreak, from 5 a.m. to a.m... Seafood products in the 1970 ’ s examine some common misconceptions ), Hi the older fattier. Introduced into the region in the waters where i live, in the video work here or... It, simply sauteed it Mercury and PCB ’ s, etc don! And cook saltwater catfish, the less appealing the overall taste will.! Better? Answer: that is one of the most popular seafood foods like crill, shrimp, bugs etc... Have been around 1 pound per person each year niacin and vitamin B12 Calls for an in! Will likely have a fishy smell and taste for heavy metals like Mercury and PCB ’,! Are two distinct types of white fish, and I’m not even questioning what type of!... Would malign catfish for being similar to another ‘ gourmet ’ food could affect how they. These blanks are fairly important, but the statements made about catfish are a major to. A flat head and caught our own catfish from wild sources but even so we weren t! Other species of catfish do wild catfish taste good least very few you have a fishy smell taste. Looked at separately Hardhead catfish that spanned the spectrum from muddy-flavored to superb terms... Catfish food community and CulinaryLore. all Rights Reserved put it on top of vinegary turnip greens ( Rio Rancho NM!, perch, walleye, catfish and quality of the lakes, rivers streams...