Bluegills are a tasty freshwater fish best served pan-fried. The Bluegill is a North American Native fish that doesn’t put up much of a fight. For this reason, it is popular amongst novice anglers looking to catch some dinner. But what does Bluegill taste like?
Bluegills are a pleasant fish to eat. Their meat is firmer and flakier than most other freshwater fish. Bluegills eat insects and other small fish, which gives them a mild flavor.
The Bluegill is considered a safer fish to eat because of their diet than most other fish species. Fish become dangerous to eat when they are bottom feeders as they become contaminated with toxic substances to us humans.
Because Bluegill is best served as a pan-fried fish, they are sometimes referred to as a panfish. However, they make an excellent dinner when cooked over a campfire (much like bass).
Author Note: Bluegill are the best fish to target when camping in North America. Why? Well, when you are camping and relying on the catch of the day to feed you, you want a sure thing.
Bluegill are relatively easy to catch, so you should target this species if you are hungry.
All About Bluegills
Before learning more about what does Bluegill taste like, let’s go over what they are. Bluegills are an easy fish to catch and are often the fish targeted by inexperienced fishermen. All you need to know is where to go to find them. And that won’t be too difficult, since they are located across the country.
So, once you’ve decided on your next fishing spot, you simply need to know how to catch, clean, and cook them. Does that sound overwhelming? Don’t panic- this article gives you all the information you need to know.
Many people find bluegills to be a tasty freshwater fish to eat. They have more flavor and are firmer and flakier than other freshwater fish. Bluegills are omnivores, and they usually feed on small fish or insects. This makes them less likely to be contaminated with dangerous substances, unlike some other fish that eat from the bottom of the water.
Bluegill Facts
Are you interested to know more about this fish than just what does Bluegill taste like? Here are some factors about the Bluegill fish that you might want to know.
The world record size of a Bluegill is approximately 4 pounds. A mature Bluegill fish can grow to around 12 inches. However, the average Bluegill is between 4 and 10 inches long and usually only weighs 1 or 2 pounds.
Author Note: A Bluegill is an attractive fish, with their coloring a pretty blue-black. The precise color can vary depending on the area where the fish lives. But, no matter where the fish lives, all Bluegills are characterized with a black spot.
This characterizing black spot is usually found on the gills and the dorsal fin. Most Bluegill has an orange or yellow belly, as well as stripes running down their sides.
Bluegills are not considered game fish. Instead, they are prey to other gamefish. They are also one of if not the most common species caught by the average anglers in their ranges.
Where Can You Find Bluegills?
Bluegills are common fish found in most water bodies, including ponds, lakes, stress, and rivers.
Bluegills love swimming in the shallows. This is the best place to cast when seeking Bluegills. Bluegills tend to be shy and will stay close to coverage offered by the rich aquatic life often seen in shallow water.
Cast your line close to areas with water plants and weed beds that could provide the ultimate coverage for these fish. Weed beds are a favorite home for these fish as they can find plenty of food under these beds.
Where Can You find Bluegills?
As we mentioned earlier, the US is rich in these fish. Bluegills are commonly found throughout the United States. The areas with the most Bluegills are located along the coast of Virginia, West Texas, West New York, West Minnesota, Florida, and East of the Rocky Mountains.
How to Catch a Bluegill?
The best time of the day for fishing for Bluegills is from the late afternoon to the early evening. During the warmer months of spring and summer, the Bluegills tend to stay close to the shallows and lakes’ edges. In the colder weather, Bluegills will remain in deeper water.
When preparing for your fishing expedition, the best preparation you can do is understand more about your fish. Because of their small mouths, a small boat (and small trout lures) and a small hook (similar to a trout rig) are the best. The best way to catch a larger Bluegill is to use an artificial lure.
The Best Lures to Catch a Large Bluegill
When targeting larger Bluegills, try the following lures to increase your chances of success:
Spoons
These are best when ice fishing in rivers and lakes. Using a small slab type jig spoon tipped with a wax worm can catch large bluegills.
Grubs
Use a short grub for Bluegills. The grub should be no more than one inch long.
Spinnerbait
tiny Spinnerbaits like a beetle spin is best used in combination with the slow and steady technique, but most small fish won’t bite, use if you know there are slab gills where you are fishing.
Carolina Rig
If you are targeting large Bluegills, then the Carolina rig set up should be your go-to. Use a small plastic worm or grub. Carolina Rigs are best for clear lakes and water with a higher pressure.
Inline Spinners
The Inline Spinner should be your first choice when fishing for very large Bluegill. Use spinners that are gold, black, or silver.
Top Tip
If you’re not having any luck in one spot, move until you find a spot where they are biting. And remember to keep quiet, Bluegills get scared off by noise and movement.
How to Clean a Bluegill
Have you managed to catch a Bluegill? Great! Now all you need to do is to clean and prepare your dinner. But if you have never done this before, it could be tricky, not to mention messy, business. The Bluegill may have many spiny bones, but they are not poisonous.
Author Note: But, just because they are not poisonous doesn’t mean they are safe! The bones are sharp and could cut an unsuspecting finger. So, the first thing you need to know about cleaning a Bluegill is that you need to be careful.
That being said, cleaning Bluegills is relatively easy. Here are a few simple steps to follow when cleaning and preparing your Bluegill.
You’re going to need the following items.
- A dull knife or a fish scale
- A cutting board
- Kitchen shears
- Sharp knife
- A place to discard the waste
Do you have everything you need? Great! It’s time to begin.
Step One
Use your fish scale or dull knife to descale the fish. Starting from the tail and moving toward the head, begin scraping the scales of the fish.
The best way is to move from the middle of the fish towards the outside of the fish. In this way, you can make sure that the fish is smooth and without scales.
Step Two
Remove the fish’s head by cutting it off with a sharp knife. You should cut the head off just behind the gills.
Step Three
Next, you should gut the fish. Once the head is removed, you should start to gut the fish. To do this, simply make an incision and cut down the center of the fish. Remember to use the sharpest knife that you have. When gutting the fish, begin by making an incision from the tail and cutting along the top.
Step Four
Butterfly the fish. This technique is not the easiest for novice fishermen. Follow these steps for an easy method to butterfly, or split, a fish. You can only butterfly a fish after you have removed the scales and gutted the fish. So, if you haven’t done this yet, it’s time to do it now.
Remember that center cut? Continue with it right up to the tail. Now, if you open the fish through the center cut, you can see the backbone and the ribs.
Now you are ready to butterfly fillet the fish.
To do so, begin by cutting the membrane. You can do this by moving down from the head and using small movements. Cut along the membrane from the head down, and when you get to the rib cage, cut it free from the backbone.
You can open the fish now and cut along the backbone. This separates the fish from the bones smoothly and swiftly. Use the kitchen shears to remove the backbone from the tail. Now, cut under the ribcage with your sharp knife to separate the ribs from the flesh.
How to Cook a Bluegill
If you have cleaned your Bluegill properly, then turning it into a delicious meal should be a piece of cake. These fish are also known as the Bluegill and can be cooked in a frying pan or, even better, on a hot open fire. Then the answer to the question “what does Bluegill taste like” will be delicious!
Here is, quite possibly, the most straightforward recipe that you’ll find on the internet. Simply saute the Bluegill with a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper over an open flame. That is the perfect recipe for when you are sharing a freshly caught bluegill with friends and family around a campfire.
Author Note: Another great way to prepare the Bluegill is to wrap it in tinfoil after dosing it with a generous dose of mixed herbs. Store-bought Italian herbs are the best accompaniment for a foil-wrapped Bluegill over the hot coals of a campfire.
If you aren’t eating the fish over a campfire, here’s a recipe for battered fish
Use the following batter recipe to coat the fish before frying them in a pan:
Ingredients
- 1 x egg
- Milk
- Cornmeal with garlic seasoning
- Oil
Steps to follow:
Beat the milk and egg
Soak the fillet in the liquid
Coat the fish in the spiced flour
Heat the oil, and when ready, place the fillets in the pan.
You only need to fry the fillets for a few minutes. Make sure to fry both sides!
You can serve this fried fish with a fresh garden salad, potato wedges, and a squeeze of lemon.
What Does Bluegill Taste Like? Delicious!
What are you waiting for? Get out there and catch a Bluegill today! We hope you enjoyed this article on what does Bluegill taste like.
Happy Hunting
