TASTY Freshwater Drum (how to Catch Clean & Cook Sheepshead)

Nate and I did a Freshwater Drum aka Sheepshead Catch Clean & Cook on the Fairford river to demonstrate how delicious these fish can be when prepared correctly! Fishing for these guys is an absolute blast and I highly recommend trying it if you haven't already!
Contact Nates Baits to order fresh frozen salted mullet minnows and shiners [phone]
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Music: KZbin Audio Library
Edited and produced with CyberLink PowerDirector 16
#manitoba #sheepshead #catchandcook

[@johnseeley9316]

Man, that was an outstanding video! Such a positive vibe. Thanks for posting.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thank you 🙏

[@JoshuaDeanPHC]

Dude, I just got into bowfishing drum here in Alabama and I have watched a dozen or so 'how to clean a drum' or 'drum catch & cook' videos over the past week or so, and your filet demo and explanation was by far the best I have seen. Great job!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I appreciate the feedback🙏. Good luck out there!

[@jamiegoodwin]

Gar are exceptionally tasty as well, if you haven't tried them yet, definitely look up some of the recipes. Especially the patties done like a Salmon/Tuna patty.

[@nerodia]

Occasionally catch these while fishing for bass in Texas. It's like a bonus meal with no size or bag limit to worry about - I always toss the bass back, they're for fun, but these guys get eaten. It kinda blew my mind when I found out they call them sheepshead in places, since sheepshead's what we call a saltwater fish that's really common on the gulf coast (pretty sure it's a species of porgy). Also an underrated fish for eating, as long as you avoid the huge ones. Meat like a good lobster tail, they mostly eat shellfish - when I'm fishing the gulf, they're what I want to bring home to eat. We also get black drum, which to my palate is just as good if not better than the overfished, highly sought after red drum. So many 'trash fish' are just flat out delicious.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

That's awesome, I didn't know you guys had them all the way down there as well. Such an underrated gamefish species both on the line and on the plate!

[@charlesdjones1]

There's fresh and salt water drum, they can live in either.

[@theoutdoorsman9726]

@@charlesdjones1this species of freshwater drum is freshwater only. It’s the only species of drum that spends its entire life in freshwater.

[@politicalfisherman540]

My freezer will be full of these this year, with the price of food. LGB

[@driftless1870]

We love drum. Blackened, then finished in the oven with sautéed onions in butter and capers. Or deep fried in Shorelunch seasoning. But this looks absolutely delicious! And, they are fun to catch as well.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Interesting, I’ll have to try that next summer.

[@fishlovme]

I can catch 14-18 inch sheephead all day long where I live and there's no limit. I may have to try some like that now! I fillet white bass (also no limit here) that way so I'm familiar with the fatty tissue

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Do it! You will definitely enjoy em!

[@deandredunbar9618]

Freshwater drum is my favorite fish. In the spring. Catch em right when the ice is gone and they are better than walleye I'm fishing for drum while typing this got a few drum on the ice.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Nice, drum are definitely high on my list of favourite fish to catch!

[@PlayinHookySportfishing]

Drum are definitely one of my top 5 too buddy! Tough to pick a favorite but pike, salmon, drum, and walleye, are among the top.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Dude, I wish I had access to Salmon as a top five!!

[@coryenglish4392]

Really good info on how to cook Drum , thanks.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

No problem, tight lines

[@im_jus_steve]

I was good all the way up to the "don't use Italian dressing" part . Drum and gar are the only types of fish I like and I use the Italian method. I think it's all about how much you use. A dab will do ya. That line pretty good though.

[@whatsmyname2664]

Looks delicious!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Sure is!

[@drewpetrey4668]

Great video guys! Well done!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks 👊

[@MM-di7ux]

I was just here two weeks ago, those drum are fun to reel in. A lot of carp in there too!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah Drum are definitely in my top five! How is the bite there, still going strong?

[@MM-di7ux]

Darren's Northern Life very strong, catching every minute!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Marlon M awesome!

[@23KCOutdoors]

Good to see you my friend those things get huge around here

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Hey dude, yeah we get a few biguns as well.

[@charlesdjones1]

Drum taste delicious 🤤

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yup

[@Dargozion]

Looks amazing! I’m always down to try new fish.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

It sure is👍

[@garyssprinklerrepair]

I hear the “Drum” roll for Mad skills catching it first cast. Good to see your video pop up in my Notifications 🤙

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Haha, I see what you did there! Cheers my friend 🙏

[@ryanlabudie2761]

where im from youd be called crazy for wanting to actually catch these. we call em shitheads, have never seen someone actually want to eat one either. but bet they're actually pretty good. l might try one next time lol

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

lol, I promise they taste great when prepared correctly! #TIGHTLINES

[@broot7425]

Local Manitoban! Had my first taste of drum this year off gimli pier pan fried in butter. Going to catch some in a small quiet spot my buddy knows and try a fish fry

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Hey hey, thanks for stopping by!! Yeah Drum are actually pretty tasty when prepared correctly, good luck with that fish fry👍

[@tedmicher8777]

I think that "brown" was the blood line, definitely cut that out. Reminds me of the puppy black drums I have caught in Gulf of Mexico, Got 1 near Sandusky Ohio today, very interested in taste.

[@Perez_Pesca_pfc]

Nice video man thank you

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks buddy

[@greatlakezgirl649]

I like the way you cut it. I like to soak mines in salt water to help with remove the any blood I didn't get, and it adds flavor

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks! Yeah I’ve heard the salting method works as well 👍🏻

[@swampstalkeroutdoors]

Nice job on the video brother, they look just like our Saltwater Black drum that we have here in Florida. We eat the smaller ones to because the larger ones usually have a bunch of parasites/worms in them. Those looked absolutely delicious y’all, nice demonstration from catching, cleaning and cooking!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks dude! Yeah I've seen catch/cook Black Drum videos and they look delicious!

[@drewdegrado9253]

NICE video i caught 6 of these around the same size at Eldorado lake Kansas. I let them go but im going to cook a couple next time!!!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks! I definitely recommend keeping a few next time you get out.

[@tannermaendel6045]

Yes thanks for uploadind u and uncut angling are neck and neck love both chanels

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks buddy! Lol I don’t think I will ever be on the same level of awesomeness as Uncut Angling, but I’m happy you think so🙏

[@tannermaendel6045]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 ya good job

[@virgilthompson4707]

Here in Columbus,Texas my family has eaten fresh water drum(Gaspergou)for as long as I can remember.We just rolled them in corn meal with some homemade seasoning then fried the fish up.Bait of choice is crawfish with the head on or off with a float.We always open up the head and take the white ear stones.

[@mr.chaosvicious5968]

I've heard crayfish is a VERY good bass bait as well. I've never actually used them but from what I understand you are supposed to snip their claws off. To keep them from grabbing ahold of stuff and potentially getting you hung up and possibly breaking your line. And doing that also apparently makes them more appetizing to your potential catch as well,since they look to be (and are) wounded/defenseless and that is supposedly a big magnet to a potential predator.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Crayfish work amazing for bait, even for species like pike and walleye in my experience.

[@mr.chaosvicious5968]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 Heck,I've even heard that Catfish really like eating them as well. APPARENTLY it seems like any type of predatory fish with a sufficiently large mouth likes to eat crayfish. It really seems like crayfish are just one of those universal type of fresh water predatory fish species prey items. Kinda like how apparently shrimp are basically a universal salt water predatory fish species prey item.

[@ColoradoFisher]

Looks really good Darren! Still would never eat it! The fishing for them is fun. I caught some on accident going for crappie so it was fun as all catching them on 4 and 6lb test haha.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks buddy. They are easily my top five fave fish to catch, and they taste pretty great too!

[@VTOUTDOORMAN]

I need a catch and cook soon!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yessir!!

[@jagfishing836]

Good stuff man, been doing a lot of catchin n cookin myself lately! I never had drum but i do like chicken so i assume is like it haha

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks dude! Yeah I saw you were out after some Trout for eating. Lol, the Drum are actually surprisingly good!

[@SwampyAcresHomestead]

Nice fishing

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Cheers

[@kevindavis7790]

lol @ 6:39 "If you like firm white meat almost like a Chicken breast" fish in the background comes up out of the water like "I like Chicken Breast!"

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Lmao 🤣

[@MuddyBootsOutdoors]

NICE Catch and cook, what state are you in and is that your backyard with the river in the background?? How lucky!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks 🙏! This was actually in Manitoba Canada.

[@GrantMcIntosh]

Interesting. Bon appetit! 👍🍻

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah buddy 🍻

[@haulinashoutdoors2675]

Caught one today I’ve been challenged to try one So,......here goes!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Awesome, looking forward to seeing it!

[@theoutdoorsman9726]

In ky they aren’t regulated so there’s no size or possession limit on drum. I’ve caught some huge ones while crappie and sauger fishing in the winter time in TN river below KY dam and in the Ohio river.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

That’s awesome! We rarely catch them up here in the winter.

[@atodaso2046]

I’m actually from this area lol was surprised to see where you were when the video started! The pelicans were stealing all fish the other day haha

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Haha, I love fishing at the bridge!

[@WaldenLifeInTheWoods]

I have battered and pan fried with cajun spices in the batter. It was delicious.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I’ll have to try that out next time I catch some!

[@Imyourfather225]

I catch several of them every week, people do not eat them here, I am going to try them sometime

[@timlee5260]

Drum seem to like moving water and bite on shad in my area. I also catch them on curly tail jigs. Good eating as well.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah the white curly tail on a jig works great

[@brianlocal3]

It always baffles me that people don’t eat drum, but they’ll run out happily while on vacation and order redfish and black drum, I’m from the St. Louis area and I grew up eating this fish, when they are running underneath the spillway Easy Way to fill up your cooler

[@TrapperJOutdoors]

I should do a drum cook caught a 15 pounder awhile back

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yes you should!! I’m challenging you to do it now actually ✅😆

[@walleye204]

Never would have thought to eat one of them lol. River to fast right now out here to fish for anything really so once it's down I'll try it out. How's that rod?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yep, I highly recommend giving them a try. The Convergence is a really nice rod, I have two and they are my go to rod for smaller fish such as Drum and Walleye.

[@prejax2606]

I think the key may be grilling it to remove the oil. It looks very good. It holds to much oil if you try to deep fry it.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Biggest thing is removing that fatty layer just under the skin

[@mr.chaosvicious5968]

Either that or try baking it maybe? Or put it in a pan just long enough to get a good sear on it and then finish cooking it in the oven. I'd highly consider looking into the most preferred ways people use to cook sheepshead/saltwater drum. As that SHOULD carry over fairly well considering just how closely they are related.

[@CAMT800]

Fillet and cooked one once. Really good fresh out the fryer and then it cooled and turned to rubber.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah gotta eat em fresh

[@edmoore3910]

i fillet them lke a bass..remove skin after freezing. very tasty fish deep fried.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Great idea, thanks for sharing!

[@user-vx3yz1gf6c]

Super!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

🙏

[@starflightthenightwing6182]

Cool I was just there 2 days ago

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Nice, it’s a pretty great fishery!

[@jonathanshaw9612]

Now it makes sense I baked one when I was just a kid baked it whole never knew the were fatty like that

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah definitely changes them

[@AJOutdoors1]

You ate it! :D Next time try it smoked!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I’ve heard they are good when smoked as well👍

[@Thebeatologist0914]

Was that a fish that jumped out of the water right after your buddy finished cleaning the drum and you selfie’d the camera?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Haha, I just noticed that now! Kinda looked like a Tern diving for minnow🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cruzmascorro9277]

I use to cook those with lemon pepper and onion wrapped in foil add white rice.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Interesting, I’ll have to try that next summer.

[@cruzmascorro9277]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 You guys are lucky to fish the fresh water drum. In Texas it's not a game fish but people shut up illegal net's. Darn people!!!

[@robertmabe1193]

IDK how almost 9k people could stand to watch this video with Kermit, I mean Patrick Mahomes, I mean this dudes voice.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

hahahahahahaha, I wear my kermit badge with honor🤣

[@robertmabe1193]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 Right on man, you're a good sport. Good videos, keep it up.

[@walleye204]

Also forgot to ask. What kind of line you use for this type of fishing?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I was just using 10 pound Suffix mono.

[@walleye204]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 wow thought I'd need way bigger lol.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Naw, lol just gotta play them a bit.

[@walleye204]

Need a knife like that. Battery are nice but can't filet like that with a battery knife. Again awesome video. Keep them coming

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks 🙏!

[@CProFishingWithWayne]

Great video!! They look like small Saltwater Black Drum. Looked pretty good also.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks Wayne. Yep, they are a freshwater cousin to your black Drum.

[@bigdave1579]

Sheep head make great fertilizer!!! They grow great tomatoes!!!!! Otherwise, the one's we catch out of Lake Erie taste like carp and buffalo!!!!!!! Nevertheless, I will catch and try your recipe this year.

[@johnsurf509]

I think the red fish spice would work good for that!!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah probably

[@johnsurf509]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 If you know your fish might not taste too good, gut and bleed your fish right away put the core in brine,make sure you wash the blood behind the air bladder, I do that on all fish I catch!!The blood in back of the air bladder against the spine make those fish taste sheddy!!

[@politicalfisherman540]

What state you in?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Manitoba Canada

[@RaymondWilliams902]

Looks greAt

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Oh yeah👍

[@Pokedad76]

Love the video! You could do Muppet voices! You sound like Jim Henson big time!!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks, haha I’ve been told that many times😆

[@Pokedad76]

Actually Frank Oz

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

😆

[@WheresTheSauce]

Its too bad you're still up north. Just caught a keeper catfish and its going on the smoker tomorrow with that whitefish and brooktrout.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

That sounds like great fun! Wish I was there!

[@meghan7547]

We love Drum.... BUT, need to ice them immediately or the flesh will get mushy. We fillet them, cut in finger size pieces, cook in crab boil as would shrimp, add red and yellow food coloring will take on that appearance too. We mostly eat them as hors d'oeuvres

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

That sounds really tasty actually, I might have to give it a try

[@jamallen24]

Where is this at?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Fairford River right at the dam.

[@liamerickson3427]

I just cut up a drum and I didn’t do the fat thing so I’ll have to see how it tastes

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

You can still trim the fatty bit off afterwards if you like.

[@mr.chaosvicious5968]

Does ANYONE here know if drum happen to be one of those fish species that supposedly taste better,if when you catch them you immediately bleed them out and ice them down? I've heard that doing that to certain fish species (Spanish Mackerel for example) can seriously affect/change the taste/quality of the it's meat.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yes, bleeding them out makes a huge difference 👍🏻

[@guilloryboy_4098]

Nice video man 👍 next time boil it in grab boil and it's gonna taste like lobster 😋

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks! I’ll have to try that this summer👍🏻

[@Weekendwarrioroutdoors]

That fish looked delicious. I would have lost money on those pelicans, no way would I have said that they wouldn't eat the fish carcass.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah they sure are. Lol those Pelicans were super spooky of the carcasses 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BassBros8]

Never seen someone eat one of them, but it did not look too bad

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

They are surprisingly good actually.

[@jwagoner7]

This dude sounds more like Bert than Bert does.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Lmao 🤣

[@garybiggs9010]

I like how you rinse your gloves off in the river and handle your fish.. do you also do your dishes in the toilet? LOL

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Awe, I appreciate the fact that you went out of your way to comment! Don’t worry, the meat was washed properly before cooking.

[@garybiggs9010]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 Just find it funny you're doing a catch, clean and cook and you're down at the bank of the river cleaning fish in the dirty water. Didn't think to bring an actual table with a cutting board. You did good though for having to resort to a little crappie cleaning board!

[@edmoore3910]

i eat these all the time...very tasty. i avoid the belly meat on large ones. taste as good as bass.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I agree with you

[@jakekiley6121]

Those was one I caught yesterday that was 30 pounds

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Oh cmon now, I’ve never heard of a 30 pound freshwater drum!

[@BlueCollarFishing]

So would you actually recommend it like over other fish or for purpose of video ? Lol

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yep, they really do taste good when prepared like this!

[@all4dogstrainingrehabilita79]

Great video, but that grill looks a little close to that siding.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Thanks, haha yeah that’s risky close

[@jeremywarren7424]

Lol @00:25 Finding Nemo... Mine. Mine. Mine Mine MINE MINEMINEMINEMINE!!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

lol

[@robertmabe1193]

Ask any Lake Eire walleye angler what they think about Sheepshead

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Have you tried eating them personally?

[@robertmabe1193]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 I have not, but love the idea of eating wild game that people don't consider table fare. I was more talking about the frustration of keeping them off our lines when targeting walleye. As soon as the thing starts fighting hard we know it's not a walleye. It's a fun fight but ultimately a waste of time and bait. Although I do not eat them, I have tried to explain to friends and family that they should be released unharmed. A lot of the guys on Erie will kill them and just throw them back because they are sick of catching them. Keep up the good work, I love catch and cook videos and wish more people were into eating less desirable fish/game.

[@samuelorozco255]

I couldn't tell if Darren like it or not at the end lol.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Haha, yes it was very tasty!

[@bssaassin1900]

Caught a nice one(not huge) on my flyrod yesterday and they actually put up a good fight surprisingly but I've eaten one out of curiosity once and couldn't even finish the fillet. I gave the fish a chance and I don't like it. I understand the way you cook fish makes a difference but I just don't like the bouncy somewhat fibrous texture of the fish. If you have to work hard and add alot of shit to make it palatable,it's not a good fish.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Had to be a fun fight on fly gear! To each their own I guess, I however really enjoy the texture and taste when prepared like I do.

[@justinkasten2515]

Didn't get the lucky stones😔

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

I normally do extract them but forgot to this time.

[@michaelking2471]

I mean, I guess any fish will taste good if you cover it in thick coating of sauce....but so would a leather boot! 😅

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it😉🤷🏻‍♂️

[@michaelking2471]

@@darrensnorthernlife1184 I’m sure it’s good mate! Just being a smartass haha love the vids👌💯

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

@@michaelking2471 haha cheers bud👍

[@fishingwithfever]

sure don't seem like a lot of meat of them. I'll still to walleye for now. lol

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yeah they are a bit skimpy, definitely tasty though!

[@jtbbrown3457]

Kermit d. Frog

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Ribbit 🤣

[@bakugosrage8976]

Oh and DEFINITELY bleed out and remove the fat and dark meat for those thinking about trying to keep a few.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Yep, makes a world of difference 👍

[@bakugosrage8976]

Darren's Northern Life I can't wait to get back to Western New York to try 8 recipes with the drum. From putting it on the grill, blackening, poor man's lobster, clams strips, and scallops. To soups and chowders.

[@hammergohammer012]

FRSHWATER DRUM IS NOT SHEEPSHEAD

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Lol yeah agreed

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

Drum imo are just giant crappie

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Haha, fair enough

[@adrianlagunas6077]

by filleting a drum you putting hella meat on it to waste. they still have hella meat between the bones. i like to remove the guts and scales and fry them and eat them with a squeeze of like and hot sauce

[@tjtewshews5531]

Not even pelicans will eat drum.....

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

haha

[@natesbaits4413]

Haha! Pelican eat drum all the time here on the river. Those pelicans were afraid we were gonna throw rocks at them.

[@BlueCollarFishing]

Really ? Those things are trash fish here lol. People get upset catching them haha.

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Lol

[@robertcherry7190]

I was always told that and believed it for years. Then I tried it. Catch 'em. Put them on ice fast. Clean 'em right. Cook 'em. They're much better than you think.

[@ramsaycountry1177]

No thanks on eating drum!

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

You should give it a try, definitely won’t regret it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dhooter]

What self respecting man grills on propane?

[@darrensnorthernlife1184]

Lmao

[@HuntGatherChatters]

New subscriber here. Love your video and what a neat fish species! We have a similar KZbin channel if you want to check it out, "Hunt and Gather With the Chatters".