The simple answer is Yes, you can eat Largemouth bass. However, there are lots of things which you can eat. Not all of them particularly tasty. So, I guess the real question you should be asking is ‘should you eat Largemouth bass‘.
So, Are Largemouth Bass Good To Eat?
I actually searched for this myself, and I was a little surprised at the answer! Numerous anglers actually said they did not like eating bass, and I was really confused.
Personally, I thought it was one of the best fish I’ve eaten. It has a very distinct flavor that’s not boring and plain like a tilapia, but to some people, that taste is just “fishy”. Obviously, I disagree.
So, what’s the deal? Why do so many people feel so strongly about not eating Largemouth bass? I honestly think it may have to do with the size of the fish which are eaten.
What size of Largemouth bass is best for eating?
The ones I’ve eaten were all in the smaller range, think 12 to 14 inches. These ones offer the best flavor, and larger, older fish could be less desirable for eating.
On the flip side, this is a plus for anglers. Especially if you are managing a pond for trophy bass but you’d actually like to eat some of those fish. By culling the smaller bass for food you’re actually creating a better habitat for trophy bass to grow, as those larger ones will have greater food access.
However, this strategy could even help out your local fishing hole if you and your buddies are harvesting a decent number of smaller bass. However, that’s a topic for a different article!
What’s The Best Way To Cook A Largemouth Bass?
Another reason some people may feel strongly about not eating a Largemouth Bass might also have something to do with the way it was prepared.
There are many ways to cook fish, but I’m a fan of the simple fried version. Largemouth Bass tastes delicious this way, and I have dreams of having a stocked pond on my property just to harvest these tasty morsels more reliably.
Interested in trying to cook up some Largemouth bass yourself? Here’s the way I do it below. Give it a try and decide for yourself if they’re worth eating.
Largemouth Bass Fish Fry Recipe
Looking to fry up some tasty Largemouth Bass? You can’t go wrong with a basic fish fry recipe, and it’s dead easy to get ‘er done.
Step 1: Make some season flour
Get yourself a bowl of plain old flour. Toss in whatever spices you’d like, and save yourself some money buying pre-made at the grocery store. You can use whatever you want, but I enjoy some salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion, and a bit of cayenne pepper in mind. Season the flour to your tastes.
Step 2: Get your oil cookin’
Get yourself a nice size frying pan and add in some oil. Almost any kind will do from canola to peanut oil.
Step 3: It’s time for the egg bath
Crack an egg into a second bowl and scrambled it up. Start dunking your freshly fileted Largemouth pieces into the egg, coating them thoroughly.
Step 4: Coat the fish pieces in flour
Take your egg-coated fish pieces and start coating them in the seasoned flour. Make sure you get a good even coating, and don’t be afraid to do it a couple of times to get that crispy goodness!
Step 5: Fry ‘er up!
Once your oil is nice and hot it’s time to add the fish. Unless you’re frying some really big pieces, a couple minutes on each side should be enough. Fry the fish until it’s crispy and golden, then put it on to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the oil and avoid the fish becoming soggy.
