05-16-2009, 02:05 AM
If they are 1 to 2lb even up to three pounds you want to skin them, cut the head off and then gut them.
You take the catfish and nail it to a pole or tree through the the head. Before you nail it up you cut a nice clean cut behind the gills all the way around the fish, shallow cut just through the skin and not down into the meat.
Now you nail the fish to the tree and take some pliers and peal the skin from the back of the gills down to the tail then cut off the tail with the skin on it.
Now you cut off the head and clean out the guts.
1 to 2 or up to 3lb catfish done this way can be baked or skillet fried in about 1/4 inch of oil after putt on some salt and pepper then just dipping in plain corn meal.
For catfish larger than 3lb I suggest you have someone teach how to properly fillet in person or view a very detailed video on the process. Filleting fish takes practice and if you are first trying just remember to take your time until get comfortable.
When filleting catfish you end up with just the meat and usually no bones to contend with.
But I use both of these methods depending on the size of the fish. Those smaller catfish are harder to fillet and you end up with not very nice fillets unless you are very skilled at filleting.
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You take the catfish and nail it to a pole or tree through the the head. Before you nail it up you cut a nice clean cut behind the gills all the way around the fish, shallow cut just through the skin and not down into the meat.
Now you nail the fish to the tree and take some pliers and peal the skin from the back of the gills down to the tail then cut off the tail with the skin on it.
Now you cut off the head and clean out the guts.
1 to 2 or up to 3lb catfish done this way can be baked or skillet fried in about 1/4 inch of oil after putt on some salt and pepper then just dipping in plain corn meal.
For catfish larger than 3lb I suggest you have someone teach how to properly fillet in person or view a very detailed video on the process. Filleting fish takes practice and if you are first trying just remember to take your time until get comfortable.
When filleting catfish you end up with just the meat and usually no bones to contend with.
But I use both of these methods depending on the size of the fish. Those smaller catfish are harder to fillet and you end up with not very nice fillets unless you are very skilled at filleting.
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