Trash Fish Bucket List?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Here's something only my fevered mind would dream up.
Every angler wants to catch the big name fish. Big bass, Massive salmon, trophy bluegill, arapaima in South America (my personal quest), and so on.

But what about those other fish, the "trashy" ones we don't admire nor talk much about? If you were to target them, which ones would you go after?

In other words, what would a "Non-game Fish Bucket List" look like?

[Dan Bippus]

Just accidentally caught a 24" bowfin Tuesday while gillin' with a redworm.  Bent my 5 wt flyrod like no bass ever has!    I live close to some of the best bass lakes in Florida,  but every time I've hooked a bowfin (4 times), it sticks in my memory,  because of the fight.  Thinking about it, almost all of my best fishing memories have been 'trash' fish- big carp, flathead cats and bowfin.

 

[Ben Seay]

Bowfin are great, aren't they!!!!

[Allen Morgan]

Since when did Flathead Catfish make the "Trash Fish" list????

Those things are great sport, and great eating!  Might not look good, but get a 10 lbs (or much, much, bigger) Flathead on a bass rod, and you're in for a fight!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Well, Allen there is room to call them "other than game fish." By that token, they qualify.Its a semantics thing.

I personally dont think of them trash fish either, but can accept them in that category for this discussion.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

 Calm down Allen, remember there are Rules here on BBG, some of our members from up north grew up thinking catfish are bottom  feeders only and would never eat one , and they will go through life never discovering that flatheads only eat live  food and  their meat is white, sweet, and delicious when fried up, and that the folks from down south because of the Rules laugh on the inside when we here that  Northerners will fight you to eat a carp. That being said I will have to admit that I have tasted  southern pickled carp.How many folks up north have eaten  okra?  I guess  it all has to do with geographic upbringing.    LOFR

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

"Fight you to eat a carp" - - now THATS funny!

Ive never eaten any, that I know of.

[Allen Morgan]

I know, I'm just pulling Dan's leg.

I lived in Michigan for a few years before I got into fishing.  I'm very well acquainted with how many folks in different parts of the country consider which fish is edible, and which is not.  Different strokes for different folks.

A couple years ago, I found some videos on Youtube about how to clean and cook Carp.  Never tried it.  I also know how to clean a Gar, but I've never tried it.

[Tony Livingston]

I think in a lot of cases it has far more to do with your income bracket than your geographic location. My mother came from a poor family, and even when I was a child it was still common to eat carp, sucker, drum, and most assuredly all species of catfish while over at Grandma and Grandad's place.

I found them all pretty tasty, but proper cleaning technique and preparation is key to enjoying them.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

You speak wisely, tony.

[Allen Morgan]

No truer words have been typed!

[Bruce Condello]

Excellent observation, Tony.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Me too!