Are chum salmon good table fair if cought in the salt?

[DoubleJ]

If they're caught in the salt, before they turn, can you reasonably steak them up and consume like kings and coho?  I've only had them smoked and I understand, even out of the salt their flesh is a little softer than the others but, is it really bad enough to smoke them only?

[CastleRocker]

I've eaten a LOT of Chums, both from the salt and the fresh.  I would put them on par with a Silver or a fall run Chinook any day.  If done correctly, they can make some of the absolute best smoked-canned salmon due to the amount of oil they contain. 

[FC]

I've eaten a large number of them too both from salt and fresh water. While I wouldn't compare them to a silver they aren't bad at all if still bright and well cared for once caught. They are also very good smoked.

[BigGoonTuna]

i've never caught a chum with any kind of oil content.  i think that's somewhat of a myth.  i used to give them to people that don't care for the taste of salmon, because they're so mild.

[PolarBear]

When I was in SE Alaska bright chums were what we smoked for the guests.  They smoked up fine but I know that not many folks in that area would touch them once they got close to fresh water.  You might be able to catch some bright chums in Carr Inlet pretty soon.   

[offdahook]

chun it all good dey my fav!

[thegeneral]

ODH you the man when it comes to fishing.

[DoubleJ]

Was looking to run herring under a float in the canal out a bit from Tahuya in about a month

[Bullkllr]

Nice bright chum is good! It's also excellent deep fried like fish and chips (which is an under-rated way to cook salmon imo).

I have only one thing to say about darkening river chum:

"Chum: I hope it's not what's for dinner"

[Hunterman]

Smoke 'em if they come out of the salt. Let the river eat 'em when they get there.

Hunterman(Tony)

[wsmnut]

A bright chum is good eating!  Enjoy.

Wsmnut

[Todd~Mod]

The secret to good table fare is bleed! Gut! And ice ASAP.

[SkookumHntr]

 

[MarkyMark]

Top Foods sells chum labeled as "Keta" for about $15 a pound... Go figure.

[FC]

Top Foods sells chum labeled as "Keta" for about $15 a pound... Go figure.

lol I've seen that at Winco too!