22 LB Blue Catfish Catch, Clean, And Cook

[@back40bandit98]

I remember my grandfather cleaning big catfish with a hatchet. First he would make a few thin cuts near the head plate and then he would use pliers to pull the skin off. Then he would gut it. The hatchet was used to chop the big catfish into diagonal chunks. Bone in of course. So, We would have big chunks of fried catfish that was always cooked to perfection. Usually, We would have fried okra and homemade hushpuppies with the fried catfish. Darn, Making myself want to get out there and catch some big catfish.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

March 16, 2019---Thanks for the video. Never caught anything that size....color me green with jealousy. Did 10 years in the Air Force and last base was at Beale AFB, home of the SR-71's & U-2's at the time. Base had a canal where I caught a lot of bass and 2 lakes. It was in one of the lakes I was fishing for bass using shiners when I thought I had the mother of all bass....it was a 3 pound cat. Which was quickly followed by 7 more that were in the 1-3 pound range. Hit the laundry room in the barracks and started cleaning 'em all. I did it like Dad showed me: cut off it's head, peel the skin back with a pair of pliers, etc. Of course, while this messy operation was going down, NO ONE offered to help. Mom had given me a big (18"?) electric skillet, out comes the oil, cornbread, and bread to put the cooked fish on. About 10 minutes into cooking what I could, suddenly I found I had a lot of new friends asking I was doing, etc....while also looking at Moms skillet. Yeah, while I got what I wanted to eat, everyone else got some. Still got Moms skillet 37 years later.

[@shanelfarley7195]

0

[@derickwilliams2195]

Thank you for the upload but more so for playing with the adorable doggy of yours. Blessings

[@samuelestepp725]

I was 11 years old in 1961 fishing off a railroad bridge on belle island on the James river in Richmond Virginia when I landed a 59 lb blue cat.

[@o.l.steger8344]

Looks good, nice catch. I always soaked my blues in saltwater for about 16 hours, it drew the blood out and made pretty and white. Great video!!!

[@bluewidow1734]

I soak it in saltwater then freeze it for 24hrs in the saltwater

[@crsddabc5568]

How much salt and how much water?

[@entertainmentguys1]

Try soaking it in milk. When I was a kid my grandfather would soak cat fillets in milk till next morning in fridge. Then fry dipped in cornbread. Best breakfast ever after a night of cat fishing.

[@tjbbmr]

Try Buttermilk. Crazy good.

[@terrywilson1813]

Ryan Williams I soak mine in milk and salt for a little while then pan fry it in flour salt and meat magic it's to die for

[@jeffmorris8768]

I eat blue catfish every Saturday, and I have yet to get a bad taste. I always,s trim the red meat off.Look,s like you were enjoying it.Keep on doing what pleases you and enjoy yourself.

[@lajackabill]

I have ate blue cat and there is no fishy taste at all

[@tracyzr11]

Thank you for your video M. Hood. I like how you teach using your own style.

[@dbcooper692]

We don't have fishing up here in northeastern CA like you have down there. Watching your videos makes me want to move down to where you live. Thanks for all your wonderful videos!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@eddieg860]

I prefer cornmeal and then deep fried, but to each his own

[@princeshadricklindsey5721]

Me too

[@paulatkinson4439]

Andy's Red is a good coating. They have a Cajun mix, rather spicy, too warm for me.

[@Mbgroff]

Eddie G put them in hot sauce before and then put it in cornmeal it’s amazing I just tried it today

[@davitapeterkin6320]

Wow! I never saw anyone cook catfish without a batter. I can't wait to try it☺

[@trentonmj6898]

My personal opinion is a big blue tastes the Same as a smaller one. I like to return the bigger ones if I have enough small ones.

[@bowdown3320]

To each it's on

[@scottystyles739]

Good for you

[@anything227]

The make absolutely no sense.. a little bit of Common Sense would teach you that leaving all the small ones would make giant ones keep one giant one is the same as keeping 10 little ones that could potentially turn into 10 Giants come on now

[@noway57]

@@anything227 we can't keep 30-45 inch in Texas. I get about 10lbs or so at a 30inch

[@earnestsmith9312]

I liked the idea of leaving the fish in cold water to draw some of the toxins out. Never thought of that, but it's the same as drawing gamey blood out of the deer meat, Thanks

[@rmilton99]

I put a little vinegar in the water also.

[@tidelybumsquish]

amazing simple recipe, im going to use that overe here in canada !

[@rogerbraswelljr.923]

Everyone has their way. I always cut out all the red meat. Takes care of the gamey taste

[@davitapeterkin6320]

I don't cut anything out. I eat it all

[@catfishredneck88]

i do now. 100% makes it taste much better. i did an experiment and fried up the red meal alone. tasted like straight fish mud!

[@edwardbrook2029]

Man that looks delicious!! I’m going to have to try those ingredients. Me and my wife love catfish.

[@mikebryant258]

When you put those fillets in water to soak, try a couple tablespoons of plain white vinegar. It really draws out the blood and impurities. Great demo, thanks

[@Basstaco69]

How long do you let it soak

[@mipajaro1]

Love catfish, thanks. I buy catfish filets from Fred Meyers.

[@TrueNorthOutdoorAdventures]

Nice to see you enjoying that Harvest! Getting ready to cleanup a 15LB Flathead right now, thanks for the inspiration. New Sub from Indiana, tight lines Man.

[@roseylynn925]

I roll mine and cornmeal with a little bit of flour deep-fried good

[@randallgrubbs9286]

This reminds me of back in the day getting high and throwing a bunch of stuff together in a pan. Looks delicious though

[@hermanprice5375]

I fillet Gafftops the way you did this nice cat. Freshwater cats I skin, gut & fillet. To each their own though. Had a friend always talked about fishing in Delacroix (hope I got that right). He was from New Orleans. He always said the Speck fishing there was spectacular!

[@Maintenance63]

You are totally cool. We use to catch big cats in the Texas Power and Light reservoirs back in the 60's. Simpler times back then. Keep up the outstanding job. Let me know if you ever come out to Lovell, Wyoming.

[@Imrepenting]

Fishing 24/7! That’s my kind of guy. We need to pull a 24 hour with those lines in the water sometime!

[@edgar.lamkin8409]

Good to see your dog likes your cooking finally sit there and make sure I cook it right to everybody else is sleeping it's good to have somebody in the kitchen with you

[@philliphardy9450]

THANKS FOR THE INFO ON CLEANING BIG CATS YOU MADE IT LOOK SIMPLE. I'M GOING TO GIVE THAT RECIPE A TRY DOWN HERE IN ALABAMA THANKS

[@nhavietnamtampabay1687]

11:50 I like the way he talks to the dog... Nice!

[@peteculver6063]

Love your dog!!!

[@charlessavoie2367]

Passing along the latest rumor on Elvis Presley---he's running a catfish farm outside Biloxi Mississippi. Just serve the catfish, OK? Rumors you can't turn into supper.

[@jodyseely8299]

I enjoy the catch and cooks.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Down to earth! I dig the fishing gear in the dining room. You are a true fisherman!

[@Bigbadwolf-dw1cc]

Loved the video. Hopefully can catch some cat to debone, and definitely trying that recipe when I do. Also you're fur babies are beautiful.

[@stevehogan8829]

Hey Mark. I caught a big cat about that size... We were not cooks at the time. We baked it and baked it... It was exactly the consistancy of broiled lobster tail... Tasted delicious but was nothing like catfish. lol Bunch of goofey kids at the time.

[@Axle1007]

I always pull the skin off first with pliers. I mostly release catfish unless it's flathead. They seem to taste better than channel. I mostly keep pan fish, like crappie, blue gill, and perch.

[@davitapeterkin6320]

Omg! You throw them back. How far do you live from Newark NJ?

[@Axle1007]

@@davitapeterkin6320 yeah, I don't care for channel cat. Mostly after flat head. The meat is whiter and taste better. I live in Missouri so I'm far lol

[@codeyhodges6380]

Keep doing what your doing brother. Living it up

[@jamie.777]

Perfect cat rig for that current

[@mrincognito5275]

I can definitely tell you’re not from Louisiana by the way you cleaned the fish and how you cooked it

[@maem9246]

LOL 🤣 👍👍 New Iberia here. I'm 62 years of age and can skin a cat in my sleep with a pair of pliers ! Love your comment ! "

[@donaldmclean1645]

Never mind all the haters...Eat that cat however you like it. Awesome video.

[@edwardshighonstreetlife]

Great job cutting that fish I like your style of cleaning fish

[@coltonmaple7949]

If you take a axe and cut the tail off of the fish will bleed out and you will have Snow White meat

[@ReaperAHHH]

Cutting the gills works too

[@iEyeronik]

@@ReaperAHHH technically doing both then rinsing after is the best way. : )

[@davitapeterkin6320]

You can use a sharp pair of scissors also

[@JoseSoto-tp8ck]

Bledding the fish is the most important part personally

[@SSHitMan]

If there was a Mrs. Hood you'd be cleaning that fish outside!

[@JDSFML]

I dont! My wife wont look at blood etc and she never says a single word about were i clean my fish!

[@fishinfool3795]

@@JDSFML Yep. I clean um at the kitchen sink. Crickets.

[@19trixy]

I clean fish at the kitchen sink. Even scale them there too. You just gotta clean up the mess. No biggie :)

[@yfhgda1158]

@@JDSFML c hryeedea9d

[@OzzyTunesII]

That's why there ain't no Mrs. Hood!

[@nadinesmith5189]

In a wheelchair due to a heart attack . Still love to fish for cats .Have you heard of anywhere in Indianapolis Indiana that is handicapped accessable?

[@robertsteele7117]

Great video , a guy and his dogs enjoying his catch, nothing could make him happier !

[@leonardtumblin5620]

nice catch on the fish i dint think i would put catfish with corn and spanish rice

[@keltonmaloy9499]

What the hell is he eating.Looks like a jail house spread meal.lmao!!!

[@davidugly6037]

Yeah catfish is much better cut into nuggets, deep fried, and served with mozzarella sticks and jalapenos.

[@johnnoeth2191]

Wild caught blue catfish of that size fry up delicious. Not gamy, very tender and flaky, much better than the flavorless store bought farmed ones.

[@johngladman4291]

It’s interesting that the “bad meat” as you call it are the nuggets that are sold in stores. I think it’s all about water quality and not eating the older fish that have accumulated more.

[@CharlesEBright]

I've had catfish one time and it is a tasty fish.

[@scottkaercher1733]

Your hyper like i am. Ive stayed up 3 days straight fishing for cats.. Steelhead and salmon.

[@JPthebeeman]

Looked like a fine meal Mark, but I would have to add a bunch of onions to kick things up a bit, unless the rice you added had onions. Either way 👍👍

[@MHoodFishing]

No money for onions. I've been cooking shoe strings.

[@wesleymeadows8826]

Awsome catch and cook m-hood love it 👍

[@BADAZZ93STANG]

Blue cats with uncle bucks fish cornmeal from bass pro is the shit. No need to do anything special. . Awesome video brotha!

[@brendolyntaylor792]

who the hell want to eat a 22 pound catfish u have to buy special teeth to chew it that fish so tough

[@dustinwillis3261]

@@brendolyntaylor792 not if you soak it in brine

[@jjwolf96jw]

Fried catfish sandwiches with tartar and pickle slices are the best a side of baked beans and slaw

[@sterlinart]

This is a really good video

[@papavaliquette4978]

We hit s honey hole this summer for big cats. Tasted so bad we couldn't eat them.

[@thomastolleson5604]

Cool, the main difference is, I would skin that rascal before slicing the meat off rather than trying to cut the skin off. Just the I've done it all my life. End result still the same. Thanks for sharing

[@mr.wizard2974]

Great video!

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Dont you soak in salt water overnight.

[@PNWboysoutdoors]

No. You (can opinion related) soak the fish in milk over night to remove some of the fishy taste

[@babyfrank66]

with catfish like this if u cook just the filet u waste a lot, u can use the rest to make a giant soup and when is served u add the just of one lemon OMG!!! is delicious.

[@joecavazos2657]

Looks good I will be trying that recipe great job

[@jfoutdoors1555]

I like how you keep coming clutch with the catch andCooks

[@Gipper3670]

Fish with Corn and rice,,, not for me but enjoy,,,

[@garybramblett3045]

Love your down to earth fishin you seem to be kinda like me I only keep what I’m gonna eat or use for bait lol thanks and keep me coming your new brother from Illinois

[@Godsmistakelol]

You need a sharper knife, I'm sure you can find something that cuts cleaner and more efficiently for cheaper. And secondarily those slide sharpeners don't work as well as a whetstone you should invest in one

[@mr.wizard2974]

He knows what he's doing

[@jayjizzie7976]

M.hood nice nice catch brother

[@Seananigans.1]

I personally don’t bother with big cats unless necessary. Nice vid!

[@flipflopsneeded]

Great work!

[@exploringearth3223]

yummy Teflon spiced cat fish ! with a hint of sink water yum !

[@princetonis2real]

Super cool dude. Really nice looking meal. I love fishing and I will subscribe bro. Happy fishing.

[@TheMrdavis30]

He was high, catfish and leftover rice and said I think I did pretty good 🤣🤣

[@kelvinmpatterson]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂💀

[@butch19831]

Good job Mr Hood I always enjoy your videos been a sub for quiet a while now. That's a nice blue I'm still trying to get one like that, been fishing the new river here in WV we have caught a few channels and couple little flatheads thebonoy blue we got all summer was about 7-8 lbs he was spawned out. Any good tips on finding the big cats from the bank?

[@paulatkinson4439]

I keep the fish alive as long as possible, Cut the tail off, to bleed out the meat. Even if you are gonna ice them & clean later, bleed them out.

[@jerryg7391]

Yep that's the best way to get all the fishy taste from any big fish.

[@Reaper-wj2jw]

Cut out the gills the will bleed them fully

[@joshuashepherd6537]

Interesting recipe gonna try it

[@achmadiqbal80]

I catch one of those, the same size. But we don't really like big catfish, cause we love small and fried catfish (around 300-500gram ). We brought home the fish, I leaved a night. Suddenly the catfish eaten by cat and just left the head alone

[@broccolihart1]

The look on that catfish's face is like " How the fuq did i end up here dood"?

[@mipajaro1]

Catfish head makes great soup. Enchilada sauce red.

[@vu284]

Tip. Turn the commercials down a little bit, driving away subscribers for sure.

[@nicksmith7444]

Good videos man keep it up

[@chitownmytownofficialonean6067]

I typically release the big boys because of the texture difference. Any particular reason on why you do filets and not steak cuts ?

[@donaldhendrix3718]

I’ve never had fish soup not even know where to begin to make it if you would let me know i would like to try. Thanks sir

[@stevesteve4350]

Exactly dude. Great show

[@chpr1318]

🇺🇸 I like your miniature, portable toilet you keep your bait fish in!🇺🇸

[@robertkissiar2976]

Hey Hood great catch! Recently subscribed love the videos. I fish a small local river in illinois called the Kaskaskia great flathead and big blue cat riv. Tight lines to you brother!

[@MHoodFishing]

Thanks

[@henryathurmanjr]

Absolutely loved your video! Great from start to finish! Thank you. i never had catfish before but i'm aimin' to try it now!

[@kb3svj]

About how much useable meat did the 22# cat provide? Thx

[@RuinedExpert5624]

Great video bro

[@bobbyandras6630]

You are a die hard fisherman. Were are the reds right now

[@scottsmith6571]

I put mine on the side an cut the fillet off ... u did a great job

[@brendolyntaylor792]

There is no way in hell would I eat a catfish that big they ass is tough as leather and u hurt your damn jaw trying to chew the meat hell no leave that fucker in the lake river or where the hell ever you caught it

[@LeoWhalen1933]

Nice video

[@thomasweeks7992]

Dude you rock made me hungry you make it look easy thanks.

[@mrprimus1954]

Learned how to catch clean cook Ozark style. Caught using one gallon Clorox jug, using congealed blood bait. Or large blue gills as bait. Leave overnight. Next morning just go looking for the jugs bouncing up and down. Fun for us kids back then, to help find them. Well, after u have your fish, u go find yourself a nice big tree. Take some very large nails,hammer nails through the head, into the tree. 95% of the time, 2 person job. Take a single edge razor and slice the skin all the way around the head. Get u a VERY GOOD set of plyers and start yanking the skin, until your fish is as naked as a JAY BIRD!!!! GUT it and your preference. Fins on or off. True country u leave them on, frying them up crispy. Goes great with hush puppies, coleslaw and dont forget your corn fritters. Just a touch of powdered sugar on your fritters. So good, make you eant to slap your momma. Dont recommend that though. She knows u have to sleep sometime!!😍😍😍!!!!

[@jth1200]

After you catch a nice catfish cut the bottom of his tail off and put him on a stringer and put him back in the water for 30 minutes, it'll bleed hom out and you'll have nice white meat ! I also soak mine in buttermilk overnight, it also removes the muddy flavor in a big cat. Nice job on the video tho bro ! Fish on !

[@SnapShawwtyTv]

I’m from Mississippi we don’t eat these big ones cause they meat tends to be nasty that big ! Never eat salt water cats either like some of these youtubers do 🤢 ! But if you must cut the tail off let it bleed out then take pliers and skin that bad boy 🤘

[@mrincognito5275]

Snap Shawwty foreal

[@1978strong]

If you from Louisiana you don’t mind bringing your fish in for cleaning after fishing to late to clean outside.

[@mrincognito5275]

sanders journet he’s definitely a transplant from up north that came down here for hurricane katrina work

[@nunyabizness9544]

Thats different I might have to try your recipe

[@elchiludo4004]

Make a outline alongside each side of the cat fish cutting alongside the bone structure about 1 Centimeter deep. Once outline is connected and formed peel it right off with some pliers. Cut the cheeks off. Whoever loves catfishing the next time you catch some shad rip it's guts out and use them as bait, your welcome.

[@rickrazz7136]

Why not the entire shad?

[@elchiludo4004]

Just simply because catfish eat off smell and the oil and blood from the guts is more aromatic my old man taught it to me it lands me a bite every minute I'm tellin ya

[@rickrazz7136]

@@elchiludo4004 Sweet thanks

[@tonywilkins8381]

You are correct my friend. My grandpa said remember GAG, which means, guts are great. Best bait ever for cats

[@rickrazz7136]

@@tonywilkins8381 I like your grandpa!

[@Legallyblindoutdoors]

That's how i clean my cats now got tired of fighting with the skin to get it off good video

[@corkcamden9878]

Hey there, Craig!

[@baconneggs2406]

More than one way to skin a cat

[@hookedonbassncats]

Why did your ascent change like 4 times during this video, who fillets at 2 in the morning lol. I personally don't keep a catfish over 10 pounds for many reasons.

[@rabbitbully1810]

Any chance you will be doing a long term review on your fishing gear? Especially those Tidewater rods and that Diawa BG. Thanks, tight lines!!

[@MHoodFishing]

Yes

[@leehannon6939]

@@MHoodFishing I've had a tidewater baitcasting rod for over a decade aka old timer great rods