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does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:24 pm
by Johninaustin
I'm interested, talked to a guy fishing the draw down on Lake Austin, he brought home three freshwater drum over 4 lbs. I never realized they got that big. Caught them on saltwater fishbites and frozen shrimp. :shock:

If they do, I'm going fishing tomorrow evening before the weather change rolls thru. :twisted:

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:45 pm
by lendre89
absolutely not. I have eaten both several times. I would not eat a freshwater drum over 3 pounds and with those under 3 pounds I would use as much butter and seasoning as possible. They are okay if you are just craving fish and that is all you have but from a food stand point I would go after something else.

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:50 pm
by vinny
Night and day. I would compare fw drum to carp. FW drum and mango salsa- No way!!

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:09 am
by bolio
Do what they do in Mexico with the fish that isn't tasty like some catfish, jack, king(sierra), carp etc. Let it soak in lime juice and minced garlic overnight to kill any nasty flavors and dissolve the little bones. And then strain the lime juice, add fresh lime juice and add your favorite combination to make a great ceviche. Or make chicharron outside and it all tastes great with hot sauce and beer. :clap:

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:25 am
by Milkjug
How many of ya'll have actually eaten one (other than poster #2)?

Gasper-good is just fine. Pretty much the exact same as their close saltwater relative. I have eaten them close to that size, and the meat is firm and white. Good meat for BBQ or a soup as the firmness holds up well (just like black drum, reds).

They are not even faintly related by the way.

I would eat a clear water river goo over a stock tank bass any day of the week.

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:21 am
by larry long shadows
I would eat a clear water river goo over a stock tank bass any day of the week.[/quote]
2x on the Bass....

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:30 am
by hookset4
Milkjug wrote:
Gasper-good is just fine. Pretty much the exact same as their close saltwater relative. I have eaten them close to that size, and the meat is firm and white. Good meat for BBQ or a soup as the firmness holds up well (just like black drum, reds).
Eaten them from lakes and rivers, clear waters and murky. Agree with Milkjug.

-hook

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:12 am
by Thinwater skinner
Are we talking Red Drum caught in freshwater, or gasper-gu???

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:36 am
by Mulletard
Freshwater drum or Gasper-gu taste just fine... I never throw them back.

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:02 pm
by Call me AL
We used to catch freshwater drum out of Lake Mansfield when I was a kid and eat them fine. But, I tried several I caught out of the Sabine river over the last few years and they were just just nasty. Could not be compared to saltwater drum in anyway.

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:20 pm
by c-dawg
I like them as long as they are not to large,but my favorite fw fish is Black Bass. The only thing I don't like about fw drum are how skinny they are. I filet everything except Rainbow trout and Flounder and the drum filets can be pretty thin.

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:25 pm
by Jay61
Definitely keep the goo's if you can catch 'em!

Re: does freshwater drum taste as good as saltwater drum?

Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:56 pm
by fishinmachine
Nothing wrong at all with freshwater drum taken from clean waters. Great for grilling.