Coastal Foraging for Mussels: Catch & Cook with our DOG

[@zinmaker2522]

Thanks for the tip, on putting the small mussels back onto the rock for future foraging.

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

It is surprising how fast mussels will "reroot" and attach themselves to a new surface. It takes nearly no time and does good for the fishery so I would like to see more folks do this.

[@EndyNDdontspendy]

Thank you for a momentary distraction from the madness. It was sorely needed.

[@sharons5118]

great video as always! love seeing Miso too.

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

She is growing up so quickly!

[@treatsnaturalpetmarketplac3999]

Very nice. Very close to 40K! So cool to watch your channel grow.

[@chinoyhealingfoodstravels8888]

Wonderful video and enjoy the gift from the ocean. Cheers🥂🥂 from Redondo Beach 🇺🇸

[@vasquezfamily2101]

Thank you! I really enjoy this video. You are a very calm, and stressless person and you radiate your personality. well done mate.

[@92bagder]

Since I moved from the bay area, I live vicarious through your vids. One of the few things I miss about CA

[@mathewaparicio4478]

Love your videos Kevin I need to see more and hopefully come foraging on day!

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Thanks! Please do!

[@PSSKDerby]

Great video Kevin! I grew up in PEI, so mussels were always around & very delicious. I love your foraging videos. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@pursuitoffish]

I've always wondered about harvesting some on my spearfishing trips but I didn't know anything about them. Thanks for making this video!

[@Bmwqxtmop]

Another banger! Mussels look amazing!

[@Ryann0476]

Your videos are outstanding. So glad you do it authentic and not catering to the tech bro crowd here. Cheers!

[@scotttaxdal5297]

Fresh mussels are my favorite! Nothing better than some roasted mussels with some lemon juice or melted garlic butter...

[@alexmacdonald258]

several questions, Kevin; first, what is the firepit manufacturer? Second, what species of mussel are you targeting? We frequent the northern half of Oregon's coast, especially since, from were we're located in north central WA, the WA coast is difficult to access on the western end of the Olympic Peninsula. I wonder if the ones you harvested are the same species-Pacific Blues (Mytilus trossellus). I confess, however, that with mussels it's difficult for me to get past the butter/white wine/garlic/parsley they're cooked in, along with a crusty French bread.....😁

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

The fire pit is by Fire Maple. I did a review of it as part of a recent PB eel video when I made grilled eel and wild seaweed soup. These are Mytilus californianus or "California mussels." Your boil sounds a lot like what I serve my coastal foraging clients at the end of a winter foray. It is also incredible!!

[@stanf9898]

Dang. Manking a feather stick cutting towards your leg. You're a Daredevil Dr. Kev. :) Keep this coming. The quality is so high!

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Lol I guess that camera angle does make it look like that huh?

[@skysoldier6513]

I have been sucking air for almost 76 years and have never eaten a mussel. Tried oysters once and vomited. lol! My bad.😥 Good to see you people enjoy mussels.

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Shellfish is not for everyone, but out here on the coast mussels are greatly appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@levisweet979]

It wasnt fresh, then, and you probably hadnt drank enough tequila first. If you havent gone to the beach, built a fire, pried mussels off the rocks at low tide roasted and eaten them dipped in melted butter and garlic, you havent Lived.

[@gravityjunkie47]

Fun episode! I am going to try this on my next kayak camping trip. I will be sure to check the bio hotline first but since I usually go in March, I am hopeful that it will be okay.

[@AverageAufa]

i can eat a whole bucketful on my own 😂 i absolutely love them!! love from singapore 🇸🇬 ❤

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

They are pretty darn great!

[@stitchyaj1989]

Sheesh wished we had more seafood for foraging great cooking and coastal foraging

[@zeldanrj3]

Hi Kevin and Diane 👋🏻 HI Miso 🐕 I love learning tips and trick from you. I love the feather, I will definitely do that. Do you happen to know what makes the mussels so orange? They are certainly mighty tasty 😋

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

I am not sure why this species is orange and bay mussels are tan but I will look into it. Agreed! They are delicious!

[@chadwickhurlburt6529]

Your dog has eaten better than me in the last few days.

[@jacobhope4657]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge! When are we going to see some foraging collaborations with Taku and Jocelyn up at their new homestead?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Thanks for watching! Maybe this year!

[@wdelacruzjr712]

Nice beach to be able to harvest mussels and for your dog to release energy. Can you share the area this beach is at? Would love to take my dog there and also harvest mussels also

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Unfortunately I keep it as policy not to share specifics on social. I am sure if you look for off leash beaches near you that have good rocks and compare these locations to the MPA boundary maps you will find some great spots though! Good luck!

[@bryceleanza4121]

Afternoon! I was trying to book an upcoming class but it looks like the web page doesn't exist anymore as of today (worked yesterday) and I have not found a working business phone. Thanks!

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Apologies! We are having technical difficulties today. Hopefully it will be back up and running smoothly tomorrow! Thanks for your patience!

[@bryceleanza4121]

@@catchncookcalifornia1574 Great thanks for the response! I will try back shortly.

[@BngBnGCaliKid]

There are many times im just walked along the beach in SF and on the rocks I see a bunch of mussels. I have my fishing Ls but I never know if they are okay to take and harvest and im scared to get sick. How do I know if they are good or not?

[@Deviloveinamish]

Generally not a good idea to eat mussels or clams from SF bay due to pollution. Haven't seen any measurements, but there's a lot of development around the bay and delta.

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

I avoid filter-feeders inside SF Bay proper. The open coast outside of the bay will have much safer options with far less polluted water to the north and south. That is not to say that you cannot catch and eat fish from the bay but certain species are best avoided and others should only be consumed in moderation.

[@MrCatcandance]

Can’t believe you found a baleen. Is that common? I’ve never seen that.

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Crazy right? Not common but a couple of dead whales washed up along this coast last season so I assume it was from one of them.

[@najifa.choudhury]

Would you mind sharing which beach you went to?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

As a policy I do not share locations. However, if you look at the Cal DFW Fishing Regulations Map online, you can zoom into areas located near you to determine if they are legal for foraging. If you compare these to known public access points and Google Maps satellite mode you can figure out where rocky reefs with public access and legal foraging are within a drive or hike of your location. When you find a spot, please keep it quiet to safeguard sustainable harvests there for future generations. Thanks for watching!

[@Cooper1]

Is there any advantage to putting them in a bucket of clean seawater to purge out the sand?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

I fill the bucket with sea water and let them soak as I prep the fire. But honestly, I cook them right next to the rocks that I harvest from on most low tide weekends and rarely does anyone get a sandy one. Clams on the other hand...

[@divingwithdevon4175]

Thats it, I'm going to get some muscles... how long do you cook them for?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

About 10 min total I think. They will open on the grill before they are done. Watch the bottom shell to be sure the meat is simmering in the sea water/juice and after a couple of minutes when the meat is firm they are done. You may have to experiment a bit as the type of wood, distance of coals to the grill, cross breeze, etc. all factor in with outdoor cooking and cook time. Enjoy!

[@divingwithdevon4175]

@catchncookcalifornia1574 awesome !! Thank you

[@armokgodofblood2504]

I grew up in SoCal and I never knew just how much food you could get from the ocean as an individual.

[@SeabassMafia]

I dive in so cal, near crystal cove. Is there a kelp forest area you would recommend around there?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

I do not discuss specific locations on social media to help maintain the sustainability of the spots. If you compare Google Maps satellite layer to the Cal DFW Fishing Regulations Map you will likely find some promising forests near you that are outside of SMCA's and MPA's and are open for harvesting. If you find a spot please keep it quiet to keep future harvests abundant in your area.

[@Drazo27]

How do you know when they are ready to eat?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

The next time you are in the store take a look at the size of the mussels being sold at the meat counter. When you find rocks with similar sized mussels on the coast (outside of MPA's and SMCA's) then forage away!

[@tblazy3463]

Love it california mussels are great. If you live in California buy your lifetime fishing license, you'll save money.😊

[@jasonjones6428]

Would there be any benefit of cutting out the gut sack so you are just left with the meat?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

If you remove the gut on a mussel (as we do on large clams and scallops) you would likely be left with nearly no meat as the adductor muscle is very small compared to clams or scallops, there is no real "foot" to speak of like a clam, and so you would really only be left with a thin mantle.

[@jasonjones6428]

@ Thank you for the response. I live in central California and less than three hours from the coast. I REALLY would like to try mussels, but it’s just difficult for me to get past knowing I’m eating the guts. I’ll just have to get out of my comfort zone and do it. Love your videos and appreciate your passion!

[@boogieheads]

Are the biggest mussels the best?

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Not really. Look for those that are similar in size to the ones you see in the store.

[@chillymonroy4741]

Can you use them as bait?

[@seanruggenberg62]

Yes

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

100%. I hear that they stay on the hook better if dry-cured in salt for a few days first. I use magic string with the fresh big ones. Rockfish and cabs like them a lot!

[@Deviloveinamish]

Yes, but hey don't like staying on the hook when fresh. Salting some that washed onto a beach after a storm in hopes of making them tougher.

[@desertfairychickres4021]

Hi Kevin, Diane, and Miso! Wow, Miso is just beautiful! Happy New Year and Many Blessings. K.T.

[@greyziedaddy9853]

Would be good with jeow som

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

100%!