Hawkesbury catfish - anyone eat them?

[seasponge]

Anyone who's fished the Hawkesbury has encountered the pesky catfish that lurk there, casually sucking down your bait, then lying there doing nothing, waiting for you to drag them in. To me they're a nuisance, ugly as all hell, very unappetising, and not worth the risk of getting spiked.

However a few months ago I saw a guy at Deerubbin boat ramp catching them and putting them in his esky for keepers. His mate with him assured me he eats them all the time. Not long after, I got handed down an old Hawkesbury River Boating and Fishing Guide from around the 70s which talked up the catfish, and even gave hot fishing locations to target them.

Then over in the reports sections http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=78344&page=2, there were a few comments about eating them.

So my question is, who has eaten the catfish, what are they like, and are they worth it? I can't imagine i'd ever be convinced enough to try to find out, but I've gotta ask the question considering how many of them i seem to catch.

[fragmeister]

I went to see a mate about 3 years ago who lives up at Windsor and he served up a feed of fresh fish for lunch he had caught early that day.

The fish was done on the BBQ and I commented on the taste ... nice firm white flesh and as good as any other estuary fish. He told me it was Catfish and I was very surprised. I have no reason to believe he was pulling my leg.

He reckoned no one likes them but no one has tried them... and that leaves plenty for him!

I guess the only way to find out is to cook one up yourself. Make sure its fresh and don't over cook it.

Can't say I would target them though even if they are god eating.

Cheers

Jim

Edited August 25, 2015 by fragmeister

[seasponge]

Would never target them, but most times you can't not catch them! I was surprised to hear a few reports of not only people eating them, but actually raving about their eating qualities!

Also found this site http://www.aquablueseafoods.com.au/catfish.shtml with the following extract:

"Generally catfish are excellent eating straight from the pond or dam without any off flavours. However, some river catfish have been reported with off flavours. Catfish do not have scales as such and to eat them it is a relatively easy exercise. Just use a whole uncleaned fish and cut the fillets off and then fillet the skin off the fillet and you are finished in very little time. The resulting fillet is very clean without any further processing necessary. When cooked the flesh is very white and quite firm with an excellent taste."

Would want to hear more first hand experiences.......

[Guest]

There are freshwater catties and saltwater catties .......fresh is best and leave the rest