Re: Memorial Day
Well, sheepshead are actually a salt water fish. The species everyone around here calls "sheepshead," are really freshwater drum.
People complain about catching them, and call them "trash fish," but they're actually excellent table fare. They taste less "fishy" than walleye, and they have firmer meat, which holds up much better in chowders, and is just more satisfying to chew. In my opinion, freshwater drum filets are almost indistinguishable from boneless chicken breast.
They do need to be cooked a little longer than walleye. Otherwise they will be unpleasantly "stringy."
They have a thicker backbone, so the fillets end up a lot thinner than you would expect for such a big fish. So I throw back the small ones. I also throw back the huge ones. My thinking is that the older drum might contain more toxins.
I'm always happy to add medium-size drum to my live well. It's bonus protein - over and above my walleye and perch limits.
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