Jonny Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Eating Freshwater Drum A couple of weeks ago I posted my impressions as a result of trying fried freshwater drum. Fillets from a fresh-caught 3 pounder were mild, pleasant-tasting and coarsely flaky - altogether quite good to eat. I also filleted about a 7 pound drum and froze the fillets. Yesterday, we had a family fish fry and we fried up a mess of breaded pickerel, pike, and the fillets from that drum. Wow, was that a disappointment. The drum fillets were so tough you couldn't cut them with a fork. Even with two forks you could hardly pull the meat apart. I didn't think fish could get that tough! Whether it was the size of the fish, or the freezing, or a combination of the two, I don't know. But I thought I'd post the information, such as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 They do make a good smoking fish......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 They are relatives of white bass, so the freezing makes sense. White bass are best consumed fresh for the same reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 You want to have your keepers in the 2-3lb range. Some species freeze better than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 They are relatives of white bass, so the freezing makes sense. White bass are best consumed fresh for the same reason. Can't say I agree with this Rich. Sheephead (Aplodinotus grunniens) are members of the Sciaenidae family and not related to White Bass (Moronidae) in any way that I'm aware of. As for eating/freezing them, I've tried neither. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Hmm.. dad always told me they were, just believed him. lol Either way, the meat inside is identical in both fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLofchik Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 There's alot of Louisiana drum recipes out there, but most involve making a tomato roux or sauce and baking the fish in it. I think with a lean fish like drum it helps to almost poach it in some kind of liquid. And I still haven't gotten the courage up to eat one out of Hamilton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 My ol man from time to time uses them in chowder, he likes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 I think with a lean fish like drum it helps to almost poach it in some kind of liquid. If you think sheephead/fresh water drum are lean you should smoke one and see the OIL drip out of this fish............this is FAR from a lean fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitas264 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Salut Guys!Last month I caught a 15 lb.freshwater drum.Has anyone tried to smoke one,and if so,how did you brine it and at what temperature did you smoke it?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Salut Guys!Last month I caught a 15 lb.freshwater drum.Has anyone tried to smoke one,and if so,how did you brine it and at what temperature did you smoke it?Thanks If you caught it last month, a burial might be more fitting than trying to smoke it. Welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Many times I have frozen fish for months, even close to a year later smoked them........just as good as the day caught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) Many times I have frozen fish for months, even close to a year later smoked them........just as good as the day caught. I used to use one of those Luhr Jensen Little Chief units quite some time ago, remember the instructions said that frozen fillets worked well, in fact it said that freezing actually helps by breaking down the cell structure for better brine penetration, made sense to me. Used frozen fillets once as I recall, no problem but I only did salmon and trout species in it. Edited November 5, 2009 by dave524 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpt Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Don't smoke. Boil in salty water ~1/2 to 1 Cup salt per gal. Then dip in butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted November 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 I won't know about smoking drum til next spring. I plan to try it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikehunter Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I caught a 15 lb.freshwater drum.Has anyone tried to smoke one Tried it once, made the paper too soggy to light....just had to say it, sorry Hey it's only 5AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondar Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Cook drum in BBQ on cedar board !!! throw away drum eat board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wiles Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Cook drum in BBQ on cedar board !!! throw away drum eat board Thats the same way to cook carp. :D JW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thats the same way to cook carp. :D There are people that say the same thing about catfish and ling. But it's all about attitude I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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