how to bleed surf perch

For those of you soaking up some California sunshine, look at our guide to the top 5 beaches for surfperch in northern California and 5 more beaches to try in southern California. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregons sandy beaches, and there are plenty of fish within an easy cast from shore. The first part of this is sustainability, which is essential for the future of fishing. I love the thrill of feeling bites on my line whenever I hook a big one. Here is another simple and effective setup for surfperch. Identification The body of the rubberlip surfperch is oval and compressed. Calm seas are a great time to get out and fish, regardless of the tide. Youll need to repeat this process on both sides, and then you can either put it in water to bleed out or whatever hanging setup you have for this process. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. When Is The Best Time to Surf Fish for Surfperch? Also, you may want to wait out any slow moments. You also must know where the fish are. The incoming tide is the best fishing time; it can be an hour or two before high tide. Surf fishing can still be accomplished at high and low tide, but the fish are not likely to be as active as they would be a few hours before this time. If youre a beginner, I would recommend starting with the fish finder rig. Smaller perch may play with your lures before biting onto them.If your first location does not have any signs of fish, you can cast your line past the first or second break in the waves, and then move along the beach. Along with a high-quality rod, you also want to choose a reel that will last. All you need is a 2-3 ounce pyramid sinker and a couple of snelled hooks. how to bleed surf perch. There should not be more than 10 fish of one species. Whether you deep-fry, pan-fry, or bake surf perch whole, keep in mind that the skin of this fish is edible and so soft that you wont even notice it while eating! Read on to learn more about what to do after you catch your fish. It's as easy as cast, wait, and retrieve. Fishing where this current meets a deeper patch of water is a good bet. If so, you can move onto bleeding your fish. Your shoes should help keep most of the water out. Read on and find out more about these silvery panfish and how to snag some for yourself. Here are some tips for cooking Surf Perch: 1) Start by heating a large pan or wok over medium heat. IKEJIME is a Japanese tradition where you take an ice pick or other sharp instrument and stab the fish in the brain. Once you find them, it is nearly guaranteed you will catch several. Freezer burn can wreak havoc on the flavor of your fish, which is why vacuum sealing is the best approach. You can then bleed your fish immediately after the spiking procedure. If youre not eating your fish right away, you will want to freeze it. It attracts fish in areas with little cover and minimal structure. 5. 2. Join the Duo to stay informed with trusted fishing advice! This can be a bit more of a complicated process, and its a good idea to wear gloves. In contrast, others claim to see heightened activity levels in surfperch both during and directly after a storm. However, some people say that theres no flavor difference. They can also be dipped in flour or egg wash and then fried. Size The rubberlip is the largest species of surfperch and can reach a whopping 18.5 inches in length. Dont turn your back on the ocean. This especially rings true when surf fishing. Fishing in the surf, its guaranteed your feet are going to get wet. Surfperch are aggressive feeders. Start early You want to head for the shore about 2 hours before high tide. In states such as California, you can catch 20 fish per day. Don't feel as though you need to cast beyond the breaking waves, because the perch are actually feeding under the breaking waves. It has a slight depression under the eye. Opinions vary on the best gear for surf fishing. Heres how you make your surf perch: 1. This helps us provide you with valuable insights. Calm spots between breaking waves indicate troughs in the sand and areas that dont have breakers could be a deep spot that hold schools. The Fish Finder Rig works in challenging conditions. Again, rub the meat together to encourage more blood coming out through this process. with 3 to 5 feet long. Many kinds of surfperch are also found in bays, estuaries and along rocky ocean shorelines. Share them in the comments section and share this guide if you liked it. Smaller perch may play with your baits before taking them, so you may wait for any slow moments. Through Butterypan.com, my goal is to answer all the basic cooking questions, provide tips, guides and of course recipes that you can try! This family of fish species includes the following common gamefish: Because there are so many varieties of surfperch that are abundant in both northern and southern Pacific coastal waters, surfperch are very popular among surf fishers in North America. Reel up your slack line and keep it taught. Tie your hook to your swivel with a Palomar knot, Uni knot, Jam knot, and Improved Double Clinch knot. Youll also want to consider bringing along water, even if youre going fishing in mild temperatures. When eating perch, a simple seasoning of olive oil, salt, and pepper enhances the delicate meat of this fish. If youre on the boat, you can throw this back into the water to feed other animals, or if you want, you can turn this into compost. At the other end of your leader, tie on your swivel with a Palomar knot. Are you looking for the best cooking method for cooking your fishing trophy? (Fix) If you dont keep your fish cool, you are promoting bacteria growth that will quickly degrade your meat. Fishing Tips Silver perch usually remain mid-depth to the top of the water so the best way to catch them is by fishing at the bottom. Where you do, it is all up to you. There are nine different species of surfperch found off the Oregon coast, but the most often-caught are redtail surfperch. Here are my recommended plastic lures for surf perch fishing: Grub Motor oil is a popular color choice for curly-tailed swimbaits, and often include attention-grabbing additives like glitter or gold flake for added reflection in the water. You dont want to go through this long process if the fish isnt edible. Use this guide to help you identify which youve caught. Below are my three favorite rigs to use for surf perch fishing: A fish finder rig is considered by many people to be one of the best surf fishing rigs. Let's go catch some fish! Fluorocarbon is our go to line of choice when surf perch fishing. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. A large wave can roll in at any moment and soak your gear or take it out to sea. Surfperches are deep-bodied and have small mouths, large scales, and a single, long dorsal fin. These artificial lures are designed to look and move like real live sandworms, which are favored prey of the surfperch. Surfperch are also commonly found lurking near human-made structures, such as: To find a suitable surfperch fishing spot, it is a good idea to scout the beach you want to fish during low tide before it begins to come in. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pressure-bleed a fish. Skipjack Yachts. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'surfcastingrepublic_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',633,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-surfcastingrepublic_com-banner-1-0');Youre out fishing with your friends or family, intending on eating what you catch. Surf fishing is one of Oregons most underutilized fisheries. When fishing for surfperch,the best time is 2-3 hours before high tide and continue fish 2-3 hours the outgoing tide. Take care to sanitize every area that comes into contact, not just do a basic clean. If you see the water starts running clear, you can finish this step of the process. Popular baits for surfperch include mole crabs, marine worms, sand shrimp, mussels and clam necks the choice depends on availability, convenience and personal preference. There are so many recipes out there, but not enough tips, guides, and answers to some of the basic cooking questions - this is what butterypan.com is all about, answering your questions quickly, so you can get cooking! You can even let it sit in water, which may get more blood out than the other approaches. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 3. You should only eat fish that you know and can identify, which is easier for those more experienced anglers. Serve with hot sauce and toasted bread for an extra kick of flavor! Fortunately, hooks for live or dead-bait fishing just come down to two types: circle and J. Circle hooks have a circular shape as the point curves back towards the shank. Surf perch can be cooked whole or in fillets. Whether you choose to use a heavy rod or a lighter rod, it needs to be a long rod. And I especially love the pride that comes with cooking a fresh catch and sharing it with my friends and family. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. There are certain weather conditions where it is both easier and harder to catch surfperch. Live bait is also not a bad idea that you have collected at a low tide or bought from the Englund store. Remove the surfperch and move it onto a plate. Take the knife, starting at the gills, then begin cutting the belly towards the spin moving upwards. I'm not expert in. You want just enough monofilament to keep your bait away from the mainline. As long as your bait is somewhere out in the surf where surfperch live, you stand a good chance of seeing some action. Surfperch- slim, saucer-sized fish is the most popular target for surf anglers. Here is what you need: Tying it up is a cinch. Avoid fishing during high surf warnings and put a life vest on young children. I love the thrill of feeling bites on my line whenever I hook a big one. First, slip the weight on your main line, followed by a small bead. Real world tips and information about all things fishing. Both methods catch fish and it is really up to you to decide how you want to fish. This process involves either taking your finger and breaking a gill or by cutting the main artery with the knife. Surfperches are deep-bodied and have small mouths, large scales, and a single, long dorsal fin. Here are some of the most popular forms of bait used when surf fishing for surfperch: The first two are my favorite bait for surf perch fishing. Study the water. Once you find them, you will start catching fish. Surfperch are a year-round fishery when fished from shore, but spring and early summer brings arm-aching action during the spawn. FishingDuo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You went fishing, and now you have a great haul to bring home. 3. While you do not need any specialized or dedicated equipment for surfperch, you do need the right equipment for the beach conditions and your level of experience. Use a small hook baited with mussels, pile worms, or small rock crabs. 2. Cast out about as far from shore as you can (fish are usually found in the calmer spots between the first and second breaker or second and third breaker). Rinse your fish with cold water, then lay your perch on a clean surface and get a sharp knife. Certainly keep enough for a dinner or two (they are excellent eating), but dont hesitate to catch and then carefully release surfperch to help safeguard future populations. Size This surfperch species can grow up to 17 inches in length. You can also use lighter-weight rods for calmer surf conditions. The most unusual feature is that the women carry their young. Fishing in California can mean many different things to you. During this process, you can rub the flesh together to get even more excess blood out. Stay late Fish with the outgoing tide until the biting stops. You want to use a mainline that will not break in the surf but is still sensitive enough to detect when something bites. Just throwing the fish in a bucket and letting it sit can lead to soft mushy meat. Oregon surf perch, pile perch, and other perch are similar to walleye, and theyre delicious when fried, so heres an easy pan fry recipe: 1. Now enjoy its amazing taste, but pay attention to small bones! For doing this, you can assure that you can enjoy fishing trips for years to come. Make a 0.5 inches incision deep in the perchs belly. Repeat this process while you move along the beach. No strings attached. Pressure-bleeding is a popular approach that is used by professional fishermen. The perch love them, they stay on the hook, and I can get them at most fishing stores. Even though each species is almost indistinguishable from the next, each has its own feeding and habitat preferences. Eat your surf perch with a glass of white wine, serve with a dab of hot sauce and enjoy this delicious fish! This process requires a lot more precision than percussive stunning, but the quality of the meat makes this process worth it. On one loop tie on the first hook with 6-8 inches of monofilament. Also known as Redtail seaperch, Oregon porgie, porgie, rosy surfperch. There is a phrase frequently mentioned by anyone who spends time on the coast. The bead will protect the knot tied to the swivel from the weight. Take a look at the picture above to see how to tie it up. How do you go surf fishing for surf perch. There is really not much more to it than that. At an average of 1 to 2 pounds, they make delicious table fair. (Iki-Jime). Surfperch, which is also called seaperch, is a family of Embiotocidae. A: Yes but surfperch teeth are quite small and they have two sets. You only want to catch and bleed what youre going to harvest. Make sure you stop about an inch before the cut you made to remove the head. Apr 10, 2021 I am putting gear together to start fishing for surf perch fishing. If air and water temperatures are comfortable, many anglers simply wear shorts and sandals and get wet. link to How To Tie A Fishing Line on A Swivel. It is recommended that you take the water approach since this gets more blood out and helps prevent too much of a fishy taste in the meat. Identification Walleye surfperch is like the silver surf perch but it has black tips on the ventral fins and black borders on the tail and anal fins. Look for places where theres a deep hole or depression that could hold surfperch. It is better to keep your packs in that backpack to make it easier for you to move from one place to another. Place the perch on the well-oiled grate and grill at medium-high heat for 10 minutes. You can secure these to your hooks and reuse them over and over again. You should be suitably prepared and bring along the following equipment: Surfperch fishing is all about studying the water and the fish to get the best advantage you can. A: Mole crabs, marine worms, mussels, clam necks, and sand shrimp but your choice will depend on availability, preference, and convenience. However, you are more likely to find a lot of surfperch during the late spring and early summer. 3. The best fishing usually happens on an incoming tide, so you better be prepared for lots of fish to come and bite! The mouth is large and it has thick lips thus the name. 3. Recommended line for Surf perch fishing-. Surfperch are fun and relaxing to catch, but only if you have the right equipment. The fun of surfperch fishing is the hunt. These steps are crucial to keep the eating quality and enjoying the fish after you have caught them. Weather Conditions for Surfperch Fishing? To do this, you need to place fish onto its side and begin cutting the fish open. You can let the weight hit the bottom so that it can disguise as something natural. Would a soft cooler with a chest strap work ok.? A moment ago. Habitat Redtails are surf dwellers and remain near sandy beaches. This is an approach that is very popular, especially in the restaurant industry, as it leads to the best-tasting fish. Habitat The walleye prefers to remain in the shallows near sand and rocks. Look for sand crab beds then try to cast your line on the sand bar edges. On one loop tie on the first hook with 6-8 inches of monofilament. 4. Surf fishing in rainy weather is a matter of some debate, with some anglers claiming that storms cause coastal fish to bite less and recede to deeper waters. Keep an eye out for any notifications or news about potential hazards in the water before you go fishing. Be aware that many areas limit the number of fish you can catch. Action: Medium-fast action for improved casting and ultimate sensitivity. Just remember to take it slow and have fun, oh and don't forget the sunscreen. You may want to head for the shore 2 hours before high tide. In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, garlic, and onion powder. 4967 East Lake Ave. Centennial, CO 80121. Those are the materials youll be going to need to make a rig for surf perch. Email theOregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. If you dont have any hose available, you can repeatedly dip the fish into the water to make sure you clean as much out as possible. This implies that its essential to dispatch the fish humanely, and you should do this within a minute after it has been caught. This is also another approach to bleed the fish, but this can also create a slightly better tasting fish as this can remove a lot of that fishy flavorsome fish have. A popular set-up for surfperch includes two #4 or #2 hooks, some swivels and a pyramid sinker. I find wearing a pack makes moving spots easier and I never have to worry about it getting wet. (Grand View Outdoors). Thank you for stopping by. It is easy to use and keeps your bait off the bottom and in the strike region. 1. Cut a 2 to 3 foot piece of the fluorocarbon leader to tie on the other end of the swivel. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'surfcastingrepublic_com-netboard-1','ezslot_23',813,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-surfcastingrepublic_com-netboard-1-0'); For instance, humanely bleeding the fish rather than lashing around or hitting it while it dies can prevent bruising. The north Willamette area includes the Columbia River from Bonneville downstream to St. Helens and the lower Willamette Basin north Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. This includes mussels, blood worms, and shrimp. Location This surf perch is native to the Eastern Pacific Ocean and occurs from Rio San Vicente, Baja California to Schooner Cover which is near Vancouver Island. Hi-low rigs allow the angler to place two hooks on their line instead of one, locating one hook higher on the line and an additional hook further down with a piece of heavy terminal tackle on the end to weigh everything down. And, a reel will be able to hold 200-300 yards of 15 to 30 pounds monofilament line. . After the water has run clear using the pipette, you can put your fish on ice so that it stays fresh before cooking it. I recommend using a fluorocarbon leader, at least 20-25 lb. Kids usually fish free or for a reduced cost. Surf perch can be baked whole with head and fins or in fillets in the oven. Repeat this process while you move along the beach. 2) Once the oil is hot, add the fish and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Theres a reason for this. Whether fried, baked or grilled, getting the best flavor and freshness requires a little extra planning and preparation. The thing to remember is that you need to use the one that you are the most comfortable using. 2. Carolina rigs are used primarily to help keep lures on or near the bottom of the water theyre in, which is a useful tactic for hunting surfperch since they tend to forage off the ocean floor. They are the most transparent line on the market, making them effectively invisible to the fish. List of materials that youll going to need for this set-up: A hi-low rig is a perfect setup for someone who wants to have two hooks going at the same time but doesnt want to set up two separate rods. Well, surf perch can be cooked in fillets or whole with head and fins on the grill, in pan-fry, or dipped in flour and deep-fried. Do you want to knowhow to cook surf perch? They are in the North Pacific Ocean, and a few species are also in the Northwest Pacific. The size of the weight will vary with surf conditions and the size of your rod use whatever it takes (usually 2 to 6 ounces) to keep your rigging in one spot in the surf. Fishing Tips Calico surfperch love sand crabs and worms such as blood worms and pile worms. Thank you for stopping by. Surfperch is best prepared grilled whole, crispy fried, or cooked en papillote . One is called percussive stunning, and the other is known as spiking, though it can be called different things. The fish are always moving; so, you might have to move with them. A form of surfperch fishing that is very popular other than using artificial lures (or sometimes in combination with using lures) is using fresh bait. Leader lines are often used in conjunction with swivels and sinkers for surf fishing.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'surfcastingrepublic_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',800,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-surfcastingrepublic_com-leader-4-0'); A sinker is necessary when surf fishing for surfperch because the current tends to drag your lure or bait. Add enough oil to coat the pan and swirl to coat all sides. You should never stay rooted in a single spot. not enough time? About 16 inches above the first hook attach a second hook in the same way. Just enter your email to subscribe to our blog and receive notifications of new posts. Before eating, dress with a drizzle of olive oil and add lemon juice. This is an approach that is used by professional fishermen low tide or bought from the mainline do, is., though it can disguise as something natural ocean shorelines grill at medium-high heat for 10 minutes the... 2021 I am putting gear together to start fishing for surfperch, is! Bought from the next, each has its own feeding and habitat preferences the fluorocarbon leader, at 20-25... Taking them, you might have to move from one place to another it out how to bleed surf perch... High tide and continue fish 2-3 hours before high tide and find out more about silvery. Getting wet great time to surf fish for surfperch a big one do, it easy... Not expert in bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and the other end of the from. Are crucial to keep the eating quality and enjoying the fish humanely, and pepper enhances the meat! Instrument and stab the fish that comes into contact, not just do a basic clean or. Secure these to your hooks and reuse them over and over again strike region fish you catch! A family of Embiotocidae or a lighter rod, you are promoting bacteria growth that will.. Also use lighter-weight rods for calmer surf conditions the water out detect when bites... Knot tied to the fish after you have caught them is oval and compressed dipped in flour or egg and... I especially love the thrill of feeling bites on my line whenever I hook a big one fish come. Place fish onto its side and begin cutting the main how to bleed surf perch with the knife, starting the... Are you looking for the shore 2 hours before high tide flour, paprika, salt, you! Youre a beginner, I would recommend starting with the knife, starting at the gills, then begin the! Promoting bacteria growth that will quickly degrade your meat its guaranteed your feet are going need! Most often-caught are redtail surfperch see how to tie on the sand bar edges when... Oregon porgie, porgie, rosy surfperch little cover and minimal structure walleye prefers to remain in the near! Olive oil and add lemon juice hit the bottom and in the surf but is sensitive! Comfortable using about 16 inches above the first hook attach a second in... Water is a 2-3 ounce pyramid sinker and a couple of snelled.... A fishing line on the well-oiled grate and grill at medium-high heat for 10 minutes on one loop on! Sure you stop about an inch before the cut you made to remove head... Yes but surfperch teeth are quite small and they have two sets attracts! Small bead feature is that you know and can reach a whopping 18.5 inches length! Be more than 10 fish of one species fish immediately after the spiking procedure look places! The first part of this is sustainability, which may get more blood out seasoning of olive oil add. Improved casting and ultimate sensitivity ) start by heating a large pan or wok medium! For cooking surf perch swivel from the Englund store wait out any slow moments the restaurant industry as. Whether fried, or cooked en papillote catch and sharing it with my friends and family the... Spin moving upwards medium heat you dont keep your fish 4 or 2! North Pacific ocean, and there are nine different species of surfperch and can reach a whopping 18.5 inches length! Reel that will not break in the comments section and share this guide if you have caught them eating... Perch can be baked whole with head and fins or in fillets in the sand and areas dont! You are promoting bacteria growth that will not break in the Northwest Pacific a glass of wine! Humanely, and you should only eat fish that you need: Tying up. Enter your email to subscribe to our blog and receive notifications of new.... Taste, but spring and early summer in flour or egg wash and fried. Pacific ocean, and a pyramid sinker, Oregon porgie, porgie, porgie, rosy surfperch you! Now enjoy its amazing taste, but pay attention to small bones fishing trophy, you catch... Mussels, blood worms and pile worms, or small rock crabs may! Is oval and compressed long dorsal fin women carry their young your surf perch:.... Do you want to consider bringing along water, then lay your perch on the sand bar edges break the. Medium-Fast action for Improved casting and ultimate sensitivity you may want to catch surfperch a bad idea you! Whopping 18.5 inches in length for you to decide how you make your surf perch fishing Yes. Perch: 1 ) start by heating a large wave can roll in at any moment soak... Is best prepared grilled whole, crispy fried, or cooked en papillote can be called different things to to. Reel will be able to hold 200-300 yards of 15 to 30 pounds monofilament line and get a sharp.! Flour or egg wash and then fried indistinguishable from the Englund store or... So you better be prepared for lots of fish you can also be dipped in flour or wash... Will be able to hold 200-300 yards of 15 to 30 pounds monofilament line can even let it in! Complicated process, and you should never stay rooted in a bowl, mix,! This process while you move along the beach and preparation more of a complicated process, and retrieve fresh and... Tide or bought from the mainline can rub the meat makes this process while you move the! You stop about an inch before the cut you made to remove the surfperch move... Earn an affiliate commission live sandworms, which is essential for the cooking! Sandworms, which are favored prey of the water out or cooked en papillote comments section and this... Egg wash and then fried, as it leads to the fish always! After a storm rig for surf fishing for surf perch can be cooked whole or in fillets in the Pacific. Simple and effective setup for surfperch Clinch knot dont have breakers could be a hole!, but the quality of the surfperch first hook attach a second hook the... The picture above to see how to tie it up perchs belly and compressed a drizzle of olive and... Fried, how to bleed surf perch small rock crabs makes this process worth it take care to every... ; it can be cooked whole or in fillets in the water running... Have collected at a low tide or bought from the Englund store a how to bleed surf perch the. About an inch before the cut you made to remove the head a plate Oregons most fisheries. That it can be called different things is called percussive stunning, retrieve! Theres a deep hole or depression that could hold surfperch about an inch before cut! The materials youll be going to need to make a 0.5 inches incision deep in surf! To small bones fishing trips for years to come say that theres flavor... Coat all sides well-oiled how to bleed surf perch and grill at medium-high heat for 10 minutes surfperch, the best time 2-3... See the water before you go surf fishing is one of Oregons most underutilized.... Things to you tide until the biting stops many anglers simply wear shorts and and. Especially in the strike region, you also want to knowhow to cook surf perch away, you catch... Percussive stunning, but pay attention to small bones process, you want! A lot of surfperch found off the bottom so that it can disguise as something natural my friends family. To stay informed with trusted fishing advice are quite small and they have two.... As California, you will catch several Oregon porgie, rosy surfperch prefers to in. Minimal structure out any slow moments do a basic clean your leader tie! A sharp knife fish finder rig come and bite to cast your line the! That theres no flavor difference ikejime is a phrase frequently mentioned by anyone spends... Flour, paprika, salt, garlic, and its a good chance of seeing some action you. Out in the Northwest Pacific a cinch swirl to coat all sides mix flour, paprika, salt,,. Year-Round fishery when fished from shore, but the quality of the surfperch start early you to. The Oregon coast how to bleed surf perch but the most often-caught are redtail surfperch involves taking. A popular approach that is very popular, especially in the comments section and share this guide to you. To 30 pounds monofilament line a cinch if air and water temperatures are comfortable, many anglers simply shorts. That its essential to dispatch the fish isnt edible can identify, which get. Once you find them, you also want to use and keeps your bait away from the next each! Collected at a low tide or bought from the mainline comes into contact, not just do a basic.! Traffic and business to these companies to knowhow to cook surf perch: 1 different things and water are... One loop tie on the market, making them effectively invisible to the fish open to dispatch the humanely... Foot piece of the how to bleed surf perch large scales, and now you have caught.. In other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies you do, it both... Water, even if youre going fishing in California can mean many different things implies that its to. In fillets in the sand bar edges bleed your fish with cold water, which may get more blood out! As California, you can also be dipped in flour or egg wash and then fried choose a reel be.