Veterans trip for blue catfish

[gspren]

Last year I arraigned a fishing trip on the Chesapeake for blue fish and mackerel, on April 28th we are going on the same boat but fishing the Potomac River for Blue Catfish. Blue cats are not native to the East Coast but have "bloomed" in the past 20 years, I've never caught one but heard they are good eating. Recipes are welcome.

[Texas Ranger]

Blues a favorite in Texas.  Seem "cleaner" when cooked.  Good any way you cook them.

[SawyerTed]

Blue cats in those rivers can get very large.  I'm talking 80-100 pounds big.  

Normally the bigger ones, 25 pounds plus, I take photo and release.   Less than 25 gets cleaned and vacuum sealed.  

As far as recipes, breaded and pan fried or deep fried with your favorite breader and spices is the best way.  Salt and pepper breading is always good.  

This is my favorite if you can find it.  Mildly spicy and cooks golden brown.  

[Texas Ranger]

In the lakes down here the really big ones are weighed measured photographed and turned back in the lake, my taste is the big ones do not taste as good as their smaller brothers.

[doc henderson]

Ted, that brand is all over amazon from 12 oz. packs to 6   five pound bags to a case.  OMG they even have grits! 

[doc henderson]

I ordered the fish breading and some hushpuppy mix.

[gspren]

I forgot to give the report so here goes. Fish weren't biting good but all the vets including me got to reel in at least one nice blue cat, while Bob in the wheelchair and one other guy reeled in two. All the cats were between 3-6 lbs so some nice fillets. I pan fried mine the day after we got home and no complaints here.

[SawyerTed]

Hope everyone had a good time 

Thanks to all for their service to our country!  I appreciate what you do to support those veterans!

[gspren]

The boat and crew should get most of the credit for a great time, look up Fish Redeemer on their website and/or facebook. They are a 501C charity that specializes in wheelchair bound anglers with their friends or families, with a special for veterans. I don't know when they'll get our new pics posted but last years are there with "all the way from Pennsylvania" as a reference