Thread: Lake Eufaula archives

Caught half a dozen nice keepers this morning, all males. None of their tails were frayed, so they're not making nests at this time. Caught them all on blue with silver flecks baby shad by Bobby Garland. Couldn't get them to hit any other color and these crappie bit between 8am and 8:45 and stopped as though they had hit the time clock and went home. Caught one female this evening and had one from yesterday, so all total, I cleaned 8 crappies and got them in the bag soaking in salt water. They'll get cooked tomorrow night.

Stink, why would you soak them in salt water?

I was turkey hunting/scouting around Eufaula, but stopped to see how people were doing in a a couple of places. There were 7 people putting in on Graves creek, they must have felt crowded in that confined space. Nobody had any in graves creek yet, and down by interstate 40 in one of the coves 2 groups of fishermen had 5-7 average fish in each group. Another group on the N Canadian arm had none. No turkeys, no gobbles and two tracks, I think I will look elsewhere next time.

Originally Posted by SmokyOkie

Stink, why would you soak them in salt water?

Takes away that gamey taste without removing that wonderful crappie taste. You have to rinse them in fresh water before you cook them or they'll be too salty to eat. After I remove the salt water, I soak them again using a can of ginger ale or sprite, 7-up, or some lemon based soda pop. One of my grandsons is a funny turned kid, doesn't like to eat fish, will run backwards if you set a plate of fried fish in front of him. But one night I convinced him to try some of my crappie and he admitted he liked it. Its the only fish he will eat. I use about two tablespoons of salt in a half-cup of water to make a real strong brine. Giver a try sometime and see what you think.

I have never had even a hint of gamey taste in crappie. I always thought that the absence of gamey/fushy taste is why crappie are such popular eating fish.

hey ranger09, or anyone else who sees this boat on the water, come on over and talk to me. im always in need of some good advice and always willing to meet new guys too. it was a pleasure meeting ranger09 at my sons t-ball game the other day, look foward to meeting some more of you off here. im hoping to get on the water tomorrow, and advice and where to start?

Originally Posted by SmokyOkie

I have never had even a hint of gamey taste in crappie. I always thought that the absence of gamey/fushy taste is why crappie are such popular eating fish.

I actually forgot the main reason I soak em in salt water, it's to get the blood out and they turn into pretty pure white filets. I suppose everyone has their own method, this one just seems to work well for me. Tootle loo and good luck to you Okie.

Hey Stink, I use the same recipe but with Mountain Dew. You also need to rinse the Dew off or you will get a too sweet taste and like you, people who normally don't eat fish love my crappie. Works really well on catfish also.