One of the reasons why I love fishing is because I can usually take home my catch for cooking! I’m sure a lot of you feel the same way as well, which is why we try to list down and target fish we can consume and cook for a delicious meal.
Because of this, a lot of anglers have wondered about the largemouth bass and its edibility. What does largemouth bass taste like and is it good enough for cooking?
Based on my experiences in cooking it, I’ll show you what this fish species taste like and some quick tips to make it yummy!
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What Does Largemouth Bass Taste Like?
If you’re wondering what exactly the largemouth bass tastes like, there is no one exact answer! That’s because we all have different tastebuds AND there are so many ways of cooking it, which impacts its flavor.
This type of fish is edible and also known as one of the most popular freshwater gamefish. They are rich in vitamins and protein, low in calories, and are quite delicious when cooked right.
Largemouth bass offers white meat, having a firm yet tender texture. It also has a fishy flavor and meatier texture than flaky ones, with only a few bones in it for convenience and better eating experience. The meat is a bit dense and watery, not as clean compared to the smallmouth bass, so be sure to clean it well!
However, not all of us appreciate this fishy flavor, which is why you can mask it with seasonings.
Besides the flavor, it may also produce a fishy smell, which makes it less suitable for indoor cooking. That’s why you’re better off grilling or frying it outdoors. The reason why they have more of a fishy flavor is because of their diet and habitat, as they are found in weeds consuming bluegills, bird fledging, or crawdads.
Overall, it’s quite safe to consume the largemouth bass and you can get a good amount of nutrients from it. With that in mind, children and pregnant women will need to take caution from the amount of mercury certain fish have. You also need to be wary of where you caught the fish and avoid cooking fish caught from polluted waters!
Take great care when catching and preparing fish for consumption to prevent any infections or food poisoning. That way, you can enjoy your largemouth bass with the family.
How to Cook Largemouth Bass For Better Taste
The largemouth bass is a popular fish to catch among anglers because of how easy it is to catch. However, they don’t taste as appealing, which is why people catch and release them! With that said, you can still keep your catch and have a tasty dinner by following these tips:
- Be wary as you prepare the bass and clean it well, carefully removing the skin and filleting it without risking bacteria from spreading. Use a clean and high-quality knife or scaling tool for it.
- Once you catch your largemouth bass and plan to consume it, keep it fresh until it’s time to cook it! I don’t recommend freezing or refrigerating your bass for a few days before cooking, as this alters its taste.
- If you do need to refrigerate it for a few days before cooking, marinate it to control the taste.
- Cooking bass is simple and straightforward, as you can bake grill, or panfry it to perfection. I recommend that you prepare seasonings such as salt and pepper, lemon, herbs, and other spices. Use olive oil when cooking as well for better flavoring.
- Avoid overcooking your fish and only cook it for up to five to eight minutes on each side.
- There are a ton of specific recipes you can easily look up online or from recipe books. I like making a good fish and chips because of how easy it is to fillet largemouth bass, having minimal bones.
Read More: What Does Crappie Taste Like? Is It Worth Eating?
Do you want to learn more tips on how to cook largemouth bass to improve its flavor? Check out this awesome video showing you how to cook the fish:
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to largemouth bass, you can consume it without worry, though it isn’t the most popular fish to eat. With that said, it’s possible to cook it and have a delicious meal everyone will enjoy, with the right seasoning and cooking method. As long as you’re wary with preparation and cooking, expect it to have less of a fishy flavor and smell when on the dinner table!
I hope that this article answers your question, “what does largemouth bass taste like?” Now that you know the answer, catch some bass and follow these tips for a great dinner ahead!
I guess y’all just do things differently than we do in the south. Bass is one of the best fish you can eat. When we cook most any fish, we batter it up and fry it. The only reason you’re getting a fishy taste is because you’re cooking it all wrong. Batter em with yellow corn meal, salt and lemon pepper. Throw it in fry daddy for a few minutes and enjoy. You’ll never bake another fish in your life. Same goes for cooking any species of fish.