Catfish Craze

A FISH WITH FIGHT

by Mike Petrucelli

Your worst day fishing, the old joke goes, is better than your best day at work.

And the case could be made that catfish play a big part in why that joke is around; in fact, catfish may be responsible for both your best and worst day fishing.

“They’re just a big, strong, fun fish to catch,” said David Greathouse, owner of Track & Channel Bait And Tackle in Syracuse. “They put up a lot of fight.”

And since most people have seen a catfish this should come as no surprise as they even just look ornery.

Blackened Catfish Recipe

If eating your catch, the classic preparation is blackened, commonly Cajun-style. Simply buy your favorite blend of blackening seasoning (or make your own; the Internet is full of recipes).

Sprinkle kosher salt on the fish and let it rest for a few minutes while the pan warms over medium-high heat (cast iron is the go-to, and it needs to get screaming hot). Drizzle fish with oil and sprinkle both sides with plenty of blackening spices, pressing to make sure spices adhere.

Add butter, swirl to coat the pan, then add the fish and cook, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes per side, until fish easily flakes.

Serve with plenty of lemon wedges and parsley, and/ or a Cajun or Creole sauce (either store-bought or homemade).

Where Catfish Lurk

Big Chapman, Carr, Center, Diamond, James, Kuhn, Oswego, Tippecanoe, and Winona lakes as reputed as Kosciusko County catfishing spots—that said, however, Greathouse added they can be found in just about any of the lakes around the area.

(An important note: If cooking indoors, have a working oven fan cranked up to 11; maybe open a window, too. To save your inside air, you can also put the pan on a grill outside. That first mushroom cloud of smoke when the fish hits the pan is quite impressive). While not necessary, a fish spatula is helpful for getting beneath delicate fillets. Spatulas are easy to find and can be used for far more than fish.

Night Time Is The Right Time

While they tend to ply deeper water during the day, as it gets to late afternoon and early evening, the fish tend to get hungry and look for food in shallow channels and flats near the shore.

“A lot of people are out at night,” Greathouse said.

Afternoon or night, though, be sure to bring heavier tackle along. As Greathouse said, they put up a fight, even from a 2-3 pound fish, which is about the average size, though they certainly can be much larger. As Qui-Gon Jinn tells us in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, “There’s always a bigger fish.”

And as Yoda tells us, “Size matters not,” so bring heavier equipment—from your rod and reel to your line, hooks, and lures—because even a 2-pound fish can put you to the test.

State Of Bait

As for what to bait those hooks with, Greathouse said catfish will eat just about anything—so nightcrawlers, cut bait, chicken livers, anything with a scent and meatiness can work.

Once the fish are landed, then it’s time to clean them.

One Way To Skin A Cat, er Fish

“Cleaning them is the labor of love,” Greathouse said, so bring your tools for that, too. “You peel the skin off with pliers, because it’s really tight to the flesh.”

Design Build - Custom Build Homes Additions - Remodels

451 West 250 North Warsaw, IN 46582 574.527.7219

Selling Kosciusko County Lakes Since 1966

Syracuse (574) 457-4417 | (574) 834-2123 toddrealty.com

Dog Facts

• A dog’s sense of smell is legendary, but did you know that his nose has as many as 300 million receptors?

In comparison, a human nose has about 5 million.

Source: akc.org

Who do YOU want to THANK?

Just send a name. That’s it. So easy-peasy. (We’ll print it in a future ‘gratitude list.’) Send to: sue@lakelifemagazine.com