Rock Bass

[williev18]

Hey guys, started fishing a new pond this week and I have been catching a lot of big rock bass. I've never caught them through the ice before, and have all ways thrown them back in the summer. Are they any good to eat, any thing special to cleaning or cooking them, or just fillet and fry like perch.

[jeffro9023]

Absolutely, they are very good eating...nice thick flaky filets Mmmmm

[Phil30817]

I, like you, have always thrown those damn things back.  I regret doing so after reading an In Fisherman article on how they are comparable in taste to other panfish.  Through the ice, like any other fish, they are supposed to taste even better.  All the best, -phil

[MILLERMANKT]

Good eating fish, good fighters too.

[Rebelss]

Used to eat piles of 'em. Tasty little guys, and great little fighters. A fun catch. 

[Whopper Stopper]

Through the early to mid 60's, I practically grew up on them. Well, that and noodles 

           WS

[williev18]

Well guess it sounds like I may have to keep a couple to try tomorrow. 

[Pickeralpicker91]

The ones that I have always caught have had worms in them although maybe it was just my luck.  I've only noticed the worms in mostly rock bass but also in other sunfish and the occasional perch.

[Squeeb]

Definitely gotta watch for parasites in them during open water season but they are good eatin....never caught one thru the ice. I'm guessin they only get better when they come from hard water.

[piscesman]

I always through them back until last winter. Caught a 12" one 2 -15 degrees. Froze almost immediately. Filleted it out. Not much meat on it though....
      Kim

[Rebelss]

Rockies, like sunnies, fried up, make a nice mess o' "fish chips". 

[jeffro9023]

I always through them back until last winter. Caught a 12" one 2 -15 degrees. Froze almost immediately. Filleted it out. Not much meat on it though....
      Kim

You need to watch a youtube video on how to filet a fishif you think a 12" rocky doesnt have a lot of meat on it 

[Rebelss]

I always through them back until last winter. Caught a 12" one 2 -15 degrees. Froze almost immediately. Filleted it out. Not much meat on it though....
      Kim

 12"? I woulda stuffed that and mounted it!!! 

[johnnylimit]

We target them in the spring with mister twister. As good of a fish fry as anything else. I have never caught one that had worms. Fillet them just as you would a largemouth.

[fish8mybait]

Filet them up! I have some friends that would scoff at the thought of eating a rock bass. Once you filet it up, the meat is comparable to bluegill or crappie filets. Sometimes you can hook into some nice size ones too and they bite on almost anything.

[piscesman]

I thought it was a small large mouth when it passed the hole. Once I iced it I was surprised at the size. We were in a tourney and I threw the fish on the ice and baited the tip-up and sent it down. In 3-4 minutes later the fish was starting to stiffen. As stated very cold outside. When we got home 5 hours later ALL our fish was frozen. Had to thaw them out to fillet. I thought there should have been more meat than I removed due to the size of the fish. Exactly like filleting a pan fish..............
      Kim

[Itsallaboutcatchingem]

"anything fried is goooooodddddd"

[JiggerDan]

I always thought they were garbage fish and tossed them back. Then someone told me they were good and I figured, what the heck! They are indeed good eating, proving the old adage "Don't knock it until you've tried it". Treat them the same as any other pan fish.