Eating rock bass?

[vt-jig]

Anyone eat these little bait thieves? If so, are they good fried or are they a chowder fish?

[bobkane23]

I like them fried.

[big bobber]

i hear as long as you catch them in clean water they are good...i catch huge rockies in a lake here in yooper land that possibly could be record fish...but its not bass season...i beleive rockies are a part of the sunfish family?lots of people like them...

[Mad_Dog]

Rock bass are a sunfish. Here in Ontario they aren't even mentioned in the regs book, no season or limit. Check out your book in Michigan, you could probably keep them if you like. I've had them mixed with walleye and largemouth in a fry, you couldn't tell the difference.

[Whopper Stopper]

We use to eat them all the time.

            WS

[vt-jig]

i guess ill have to keep a couple and give it a try!

[fishfeind]

I eat them when there big enough.

[big bobber]

Rock bass are a sunfish. Here in Ontario they aren't even mentioned in the regs book, no season or limit. Check out your book in Michigan, you could probably keep them if you like. I've had them mixed with walleye and largemouth in a fry, you couldn't tell the difference.just checked...open all year.but same limit as gills/sunnies...25 mixed bag of any kind.

[slipperybob]

Big Rock Bass still have rather small filet meat.  The fish has a large skeletal structure to include large ribs and rib cage cavity space.  The typical 9 to 10 inches long Rock Bass yields a fillet close to that of a 6 to 7 inch Bluegill.  The fillet on the Bluegill will probably still be thicker. 

In summertime warm waters the meat always taste mushy like that of Smallmouth Bass.  In wintertime cold waters they aren't so bad. 

[filetandrelease]

 
 I have eaten loads of them through the ice
 

[defish]

The cat we had when I was growing up refused to eat rock bass, and I respect his opinion.  He LOVED fish, and was discriminating about what kind he ate.  He'd eat channel catfish if that was all there was, but if I cleaned some walleyes first he'd turn up his nose at the catfish and ask for more walleye!

[Iceassin]

None for me thanks.

[Rebelss]

Delicous pan-fried in seasoned flour and butter. Rock candy.   

Empty yer in box, Mike! 

[Iceassin]

Delicous pan-fried in seasoned flour and butter. Rock candy.   

Empty yer in box, Mike!

Done and done 

[DR.SPECKLER]

Nope they dont have alot of meat on them.i also throw sunfish back as they are the grubbiest fish in the lakes i fish at.