Sheephead/Sheepshead/Fresh Water Drum anyone?

[tfcbones]

Just wondering if anyone has targeted Drum in Toronto. If so, where and have you ever tried eating them?

Recently I saw a show where Italo Labignan targeted the Drum in Lake Erie (I think) and he said they were very good eating fish. I remember fishing for Bass off the end of the pier in Hamilton and used to catch these things by the dozens and always thought of them as non-eatable. Now, thinking about location, I'm pretty sure I was right but, perhaps out in the lake I may give this a go.

Bones...

 

[FishingNoob]

Just wondering if anyone has targeted Drum in Toronto. If so, where and have you ever tried eating them?

Recently I saw a show where Italo Labignan targeted the Drum in Lake Erie (I think) and he said they were very good eating fish. I remember fishing for Bass off the end of the pier in Hamilton and used to catch these things by the dozens and always thought of them as non-eatable. Now, thinking about location, I'm pretty sure I was right but, perhaps out in the lake I may give this a go.

Bones...

The island has some big drum... Never tried eating one though.

 

[tfcbones]

The island has some big drum... Never tried eating one though.

Any particular island or rough location? I have read that they prefer clear water so are they found closer to the open water inlets or just scattered thoughout the inner waterways?

If you don't have time to share or don't want to give up your best spots I understand but I'd like to try out the islands as soon as I get my inner harbour license.

Thanks for any more info you'd like to share.

Bones...

 

[getin]

Got them in large numbers in Hamilton, by the carp gate! Worms worked fine. Also, while fishing for Salmon at Port Credit a huge one hist my spoon

 

[FishingNoob]

Any particular island or rough location? I have read that they prefer clear water so are they found closer to the open water inlets or just scattered thoughout the inner waterways?

If you don't have time to share or don't want to give up your best spots I understand but I'd like to try out the islands as soon as I get my inner harbour license.

Thanks for any more info you'd like to share.

Bones...

I haven't been to the islands recently, but have heard from a few other urban fishermen that they are in bays that open to the lake from the centre island ferry docks towards wards island, and along the boardwalk at the back of the island. They are hitting crankbaits, grubs, and live bait. Good luck. I wouldn't fish in the canals, the water is dirty and extremely weedy, I would focus on where the canals meet the lake.

 

[Mr. Bassturd]

The only time I have caught sheephead is in the grand river I never really new what it was when I caught it so I looked it up later on the net. There was another guy beside me who was interested in eating it he said it was good to eat so I gave it to him. Not to sure myself if I would do it. It gave a great fight especially once he hit the current and plus I was using a lightwieight setup with a 6' rod and a float with a worm.

And since u mentioned italo catching them in lake Erie, the grand river is a tributary of lake Erie therefore u have a pretty good chance they will be all throughout the grand and obviously out in the lake as well.

does anyone know there spawning season?

 

[tfcbones]

The only time I have caught sheephead is in the grand river I never really new what it was when I caught it so I looked it up later on the net. There was another guy beside me who was interested in eating it he said it was good to eat so I gave it to him. Not to sure myself if I would do it. It gave a great fight especially once he hit the current and plus I was using a lightwieight setup with a 6' rod and a float with a worm.

And since u mentioned italo catching them in lake Erie, the grand river is a tributary of lake Erie therefore u have a pretty good chance they will be all throughout the grand and obviously out in the lake as well.

does anyone know there spawning season?

I have to agree with you on the fight in the current. I used to fish the grand years ago just south of York where the river breaks into multiple streams. The stream that gets really close to Front St at the first bend was great.

I was leery of eating anything from the Grand (or Hamilton harbour) but would consider trying one that lives out in the greater lake area. Since they eat zeebra muscles(early) and other fish(later on in the season) I thought they would be growing in population like crazy.

Thanks for the info, may have to make a trip out to the Grand for something other than Bass. Hmmm now you've got me wondering if they're maybe in the Conestogo or Speed rivers... I've been meaning to hit the fork where the Conestogo and Grand meet just north of Waterloo. Supposed to be killer small mouth in that stretch. but I digress.

Bones...

 

[Alfiegee]

I to recall seeing a show with Italo, his guest was Rocky Madsen of "Fish Crisp" fame and they were indeed eating Drum done up in Fish Crisp. I thought the show was done on eastern Lake O, but could be totally wrong about that.

Alfie.

 

[masfish]

Drums are plenty along the Grand, from the Dunnville dam all the way down to the mouth at Port Maitland. A friend of mine tried eating it, and found the meat to be very mushy, although he thinks that may have been due to having the fish on the stringer in very warm water temps.

 

[staffman]

I think that you would have to grind the fish up in a meat grinder then form it into fish balls and deep fry it. Grinding would be the only way to handle all the bones, but I've never been temped to try it.

 

[Emptage]

Years ago I caught a decent sized sheephead in the rouge river, under the bridge at the end of Lawrence Avenue in Scarborough. There's certainly a lot of carp and catfish there.

I've caught a LOT of sheep out of Lake Huron and have eaten just as many. The smaller sized ones (Under 3lbs) cook up just like a bass. Just do a classic batter and fry, they're great.