Enjoyable Evening...

[Maka]

After work last night, and couple friends and I went out to nearby lake to target the legendary crappie many of you pursue, for all of us it was the first time out with that specific fish in mind as we usually chase trout/salmon.  Good time, I can see where it gets a bit addicting for people.  Fished from 6pm to 10pm and managed the below fish in the pic, most were a surprisingly good size....we released another dozen or so smaller ones.  Any suggestions as to how I should cook them up?

And just for you "Dad", I included the jig setup you pieced together for me a few weeks ago, it is now officially broken in. 

Joe

[TinyTim]

Nice catch, and yes, it's addicting. 

[billditrite]

good catch !! eggwash...roll em in crushed ritz crackers...deep fry til it floats!    mmmmmmmmmm

[JimP]

Fishes for crappie and drinks good beer!!! 

Nice catch. Deep fried till golden brown baby.... yummie.

[Maka]

My deep frying skills are lacking, even though in theory it's not all that difficult, sounds like I should give it another go... 

[JimP]

It's gotta be the right temp and use real crisco.

[dadstacklebox]

 I'm glad it worked out for ya Mala. 

[BrownTroutBoy]

fillet em and fry em

[jimmyclaude]

alot of meat on those fillets....Floating is when it is done!

[bee]

Very nice catch. I had a mess to eat tonight myself.

[Maka]

Thanks for the cooking advice, I'll let you know in a bit how it all worked out...

[Mike G]

Maka,
JimP hit the nail on the head - fry them in butter flavored Crisco - YUMMY!

[JimP]

I could cook a golf ball in crisco and eat most of it.    I gotta try the butter flavor. I use the old style heart valve plugging stuff. 

[blackduckin]

Maka looks like a fun evening. Try cooking them like this... Scale them, ( back side of a spoon works well) Cut the heads off. Gut and clean out the inners. wash with freash water. Pat dry. Roll in flour.salt and pepper.  fry in oil. Eat the fins and skin etc,

[Flatlander2Fisher]

21 fish 1 beer

The count seems off there Mak, where are all the empties?

[Phoenix]

Okay, at the risk of creating an army of Maine panfish hunters, I'm going to tell you how to cook them fish

1. Take proper care of them from the outset. If they're caught when it is really cold (below 25 or so) keep them from freezing by burying them in the snow or putting in an ice chest.
2. Fillet them as soon as possible. Then either properly freeze or continue:
3. Dissolve one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of lemon juice in one quart of water (adjust for quantities), and soak the fillets in this for 20-30 minutes, no longer.
4. Dry the fillets on top of newspaper and paper towel(s).
5. Dredge fillets in flour (make sure to knock of the excess), then drag them through an egg and milk bath, then the coating of your choice. Someone mentioned Ritz crackers, an excellant choice though I'm partial to Italian bread crumbs myself. Put 'em on a plate to sit at room temperature for about an hour (they'll soak up less oil).
6. Have your oil ready, if you don't have a deep fryer you'll  want a pan which will hold at least a quart of oil and only be about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Your tempature will be set at 375f for small fillets such as crappie or perch. If you don't have a deep fryer your going to need a thermometer to set in your pan. Temperature is critical! Don't try to guess at it, too cool and you're going to end up with a soggy, greasy mess. Too hot and you'll end up with either a good grease fire or something else that you're not going to want to eat.
7. Slowly lower the fillets into the hot oil and fry until they float (this will only take a couple minutes) and maybe a few seconds longer.
8. Dry on paper towels, you can add more salt at this time if you want but I'd be careful of this as they become quite seasoned in the marinade.

Consume with your favorite side dish(es)

[tcushman]

After work last night, and couple friends and I went out to nearby lake to target the legendary crappie many of you pursue, for all of us it was the first time out with that specific fish in mind as we usually chase trout/salmon.  Good time, I can see where it gets a bit addicting for people.  Fished from 6pm to 10pm and managed the below fish in the pic, most were a surprisingly good size....we released another dozen or so smaller ones.  Any suggestions as to how I should cook them up?

And just for you "Dad", I included the jig setup you pieced together for me a few weeks ago, it is now officially broken in. 

Joe

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

hello maka,
did you catch those on the pond or did you go to another?

[livinbass]

Nice catch there allot of fun and taste good.There about the only fish i eat deap fried of course or baked is good to

[Maka]

Hah, I think we're going to have to go chase down some more just to try out these different ideas, thanks again for all of the cooking responses.

Joe

[Maka]

hello maka,
did you catch those on the pond or did you go to another?

Nope, didnt catch 'em out front, though I was out there last night trying around dusk... there was someone in your shanty doing some twilight fishing, a guy and a girl, hopefully it was with permission.   

[MG39]

That's a nice mess of crappie!

Sure is a good sized lure!

Stop "monkeying around" with all that preparation, roll em in flour and cook in frying pan with BACON FAT on medium heat until GOLDEN brown on each side. 

[tcushman]

Nope, didnt catch 'em out front, though I was out there last night trying around dusk... there was someone in your shanty doing some twilight fishing, a guy and a girl, hopefully it was with permission.   

ya that was my son and his girlfreind, they have been going out in the evening and jigging in the shack, she has been doing good every night 2-4 each evening.
he on the other hand has been getting skunked...lol
i told him it was because she has been useing my pole and my side of the shack....lol...or it could be she is just a better fisher them him....