Eating Tautog?

[srt44116]

I was thinking about catching myself some tautog for dinner one day this week. MY ? to you guys is, whats it like? like blue fish oily? or striper nice white flaky fish. Any whats the best way to cook it. Any input is helpfull.
THANKS justin

[CaptMike]

I've heard it described quite a few different ways. It's definitely a nice flaky fish. A lot of people claim that because they eat crab and other crustaceans that they taste like crab. While I don't really agree with that they're definitely deliicious.

[MakoMike]

Not at all like bluefish, nice white flaky meat, more like flounder. I like them fried in beer batter.

[Halvey64]

I've been eating them since the season opened. I've fried them in Zataran's fish fry, grilled them whole (make several along the skin and insert a half slice of lemon and rosemary stuff with salt and peppered rosemary grill about 35-40 minutes or until done), and I've used some emiril's essence and pan fried them in olive oil or grilled them. Tog is awesome however you cook it. Some of the best fish in the ocean for taset. Makes great fish chowder as well.

[srt44116]

Great, thanks for the info. I am glad to hear its white and flaky. I can wait till i get some and cook them up.

[Bigcat]

Just made up two gallons of chowder,dam this stuff is good

[spence]

Has a nice flavor, although it's a bit more stringy than some other white fish. All in all it's pretty good stuff...

That being said, any fish you catch and it super fresh is probably going to be good.

Unless it's a bluefish.

-spence

[islander]

It's too bad bluefish get such a bad rap. I keep the small ones. I have them gutted and on ice seconds from when they were caught. Get home take off skin, and remove every piece of dark meat. Cook it wrapped in foil with onions and tomatoes at 425 for 10 mins, it really taste like swordfish. Most people who don't like them, really never took the time to prepare them before they cook them.

[kenyee]

Bluefish are great if bled properly and cooked the same day. Roasted w/ a dill/mayo/tomato topping is excellent as well. It's a nice smooth texture with at least some taste. Tog and striper are bland in comparison...

[srt44116]

Well no Tautog, dammit i got skunked! But i did manage a nice 6 pound Sea bass, and it made for a nice meal

[kenyee]

Skunked means catching nothing...being 12 and 0 in the canal is skunked :-P
I'd rather eat sea bass than tog...much sweeter ;-)

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by kenyee

Skunked means catching nothing...being 12 and 0 in the canal is skunked :-P
I'd rather eat sea bass than tog...much sweeter ;-)

Agreed, sea bass are much better eating than tog.

[EarnedStripes44]

Bluefish is excellent. I usually grill with a jerk sauce.

I even at the dark meat because as someone else said " its make you strong like bull"

[Mr. Sandman]

It is interesting to read what you all think of different fish.
IMO fresh is the key. (no matter the species) If is smells like fish...don't eat it...leave.

I like all fish and shellfish.

[srt44116]

Well i finally caught myself some tautog! Me and a friend stolled for stripes all day and resorted to the bottom with crabs. Great choice cause i boated about 30 tautog. YES 30! Not all where of size but We both got are bag limit with nice fish. I am suprised as to how well they fight for a bottom fish.

[spence]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Agreed, sea bass are much better eating than tog.

Black sea bass on the grill stuffed with herbs and some nice olive oil is my favorite.

-spence