mikeg
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Rock Bass
Rock Bass overtake my smallie spots in the spring. They get so thick I have to move spots just to keep my sanity.
So I was thinking about keeping a few for dinner this year to try. A 7 inch Rock Bass has a lot of meat on them. Has anybody had any experiance eating these fish? Being they are a member of the sunfish family, I was hoping they'd tast pretty good.
I figured it would be a good way to bring a few fish home without having to commit a day for walleye and perch. (not my favorite to fish for)
Any suggestions?
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Deerslayir
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 13:40:56
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They are actually pretty good mike I filet them just like a perch and fry them up. Even grilled some with butter and cajun good stuff, I only kept them when the water was cold in the bay area
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davef
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 14:11:45
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To me they are not quite as good as bluegills and crappies but i usually keep a bag full if i have enough to make a meal out of them at the end of the day. Taste just fine to me.
I actually make an hour drive to the raystown branch of the juniata river to fish just for them once or twice a year.
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mikeg
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 14:16:01
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Okay, it looks like a few will be iced this year to try.....Thanks, guys!
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CAPTAIN HOOK
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 16:38:11
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Rockies are excellent breaded and deep fried. Erie bays and shores have the largest Rock Bass around especially in the early spring. "Cheese It " crackers crushed make a excellent breading !
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hockeyfish
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 17:11:35
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the cheeze it cracker idea sounds pretty good....ive used buttered rits crushed up on perch and thats pretty good to.
IM LISTENING TO THE EFFIN SONG!
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JumboPerch#r
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 20:36:58
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Try using the wheat thins crushed {garden or ranch flavored} Rock Bass a a fine table fare .
Ray
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Trout About
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 20:54:53
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When I get in to them while smallie fishin' .......they quickly find the bottom of my live well. Prefer crappie and gills.....but rock bass work in a pinch.
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TBS
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/16 21:04:51
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Roll them in flour first,then in the egg/milk combo then crushed salt & vinegar potato chips. Some times I like sour cream & onion or the Crab chips flavored with Old Bay. But after rocky's start on their crayfish diet later on in spring & into the summer I just release them..too strong for me. But by then Crappies,Perch & Eye's have my attention.
"Fly fishermen are born honest, but they get over it." - Ed Zern
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Bughawk
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/17 07:53:42
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I have not had rock bass for long time, but years ago when my income was rather thin, I often had them for dinner and really liked them. I actually preferred them to bluegills, but as they say there is no accounting for taste.
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Porktown
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/17 08:23:26
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Rock bass nachos!!! Rock bass is pretty good, haven't had it in a while though. The last time I had it, we sauteed in butter, chili powder, cummin, garlic powder and a little flour and water. Made for some great nacho topping.
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JEB
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/17 15:24:41
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mix them in with Bluegills and crappie and you won't be able to tell which is which. Not as good as perch, but not a bad tasting panfish.
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littlefisher
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/17 17:59:43
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any way you eat them they taste good
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mikeg
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/18 11:57:22
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Thanks for the responses....Maybe this spring I'll have ya over for a rockbass fish fry!!
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chipmunk
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/19 21:18:46
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Guess I might fry a few up on my next trip!
Between rock bass and gobies, I've almost gone mad several times. Maybe it won't seem as bad when I keep a few of em. Now I just need a *legal* use for gobies...
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JerryS
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/21 00:46:22
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Mikeg,
I was a little surprised to see your comments regarding the Rock Bass populations. I try to do my share of Erie smallie fishing every year but have noticed a big decline in Rock Bass caught. In the late 90's my wife and I really enjoyed the spring non-stop Rock Bass action (and smallies) in the bay, basically using tubes and hair jigs. We would always time our Rock Bass trips around the last week of May. This trend has dried up for me in the last five years or so. Obviously from your post I need to adjust my tactics. Now that my son has reached a good fishing age I would love to have one of those insane days again. Any advice would be appreciated.
Jerry
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mikeg
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RE: Rock Bass
2008/02/21 08:51:22
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Most Rockbass I catch come from the lake. If you want to take him fishing for rock bass, let me know. I'll PM you a spot he can catch them every 4 seconds. This spot is in the bay.....
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