BLUEGILL "POPCORN"

[Norman89]

Kapowsin us still producing good gills, pumpkinseed and crappie from the bank and boat. Had some pan fried whole bluegill and crappie fillets last Saturday from there fantastic table fair. The crispy tails on the bluegills are my favorite, but a crappie mayo lettuce and cheese sandwich is definitely a contender

[brokentrail]

I used to fish Kapowsin often when I had a smaller boat and then when I got a bigger boat.  Unfortunately, the wind pushed me over a stump and did quite the can opened job on the front hull of my aluminum skeeter.  I finally got it fixed, after a bunch of tries welding, etc, and I haven't been back since.  I usually fish Tanwax/Clear for panfish now.

[Norman89]

I have fished clear hundreds of times for trout and never caught a panfish there, never knew they were in there. Tanawax is great for some monster gills, but I havnt figured out how to steadily catch crappie out of there

[brokentrail]

I usually catch the occasional bluegill and pumpkinseed in Clear Lake when I'm perch fishing with a worm.  At times, finding crappie consistently can be a challenge anywhere, at least for me.  Why can't they always be up shallow, spawning?? 

[Angry Perch]

Three of us spent the better part of an afternoon filleting and cleaning the mess of blue gills and sun perch the kids caught.  They were thrilled to death to get to eat the fish they caught.  Some of those things wouldn't have made a good minnow, but we scaled them and filleted them every one.  Lot of fun.

I haven't eaten bluegills in forever. They we the only fish my grandpa would fish for or eat. He'd scale them, gut them, and head them, then fry them up. So good!

[ne kid]

Blue gills are the only fish that will look you right in the eye as they are taking your bait. Much respect.

[Kc_Kracker]

Kid's didn't listen when you said they needed to stop catching Panfish, or you'll be up cleaning their mess of fish till way past midnight?

Here's an easy way to make a bunch of those Panfish, disappear in no time. 
 
2 lb. Fresh Bluegill Fillets.... Just Mix in the Batter (ingredients  below) and fry in Cast Iron Frying Pan of Canola Oil and enjoy!
(Beats "Shrimp on the Barbie" any day). 

1/8 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
2 or 3 shakes Tabasco hot sauce
3-4 cups self-rising corn meal
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 cold water

the pic you posted isnt a bluegill bro, its a pumpkinseed 

[Jonathan_S]

 

[h2ofowlr]

Looks good.   

[lokidog]

Yum, for more flavor, try scaling them and then filet leaving the skin on. That is where the sweet flavor resides. I know a lot more work when you have a crapload to clean though.

[Angry Perch]

Gramps always scaled, headed and gutted them, then fried them on the bone.