Jeff Sundin's Panfish Recipes Section: How to Avoid Mushy Tasting Crappies

Most freshwater fish have delicate, mild-tasting and flaky flesh, that's what people love about them. Some of the freshwater species though, are so delicate that cooking them may require special attention. The Crappie is one fish that benefits from a little special pre-cooking handling and care. Jeff Sundin shares some tips about how to avoid cooking "mushy" tasting crappie fillets with a reader who asked for advice.

Question) Hi Jeff, my name is Adam Barett. I have been reading your reports for many years now and thought I would maybe get your expertise on this.

We were up on Leech Lake for the Memorial weekend and on the last day we caught enough crappies for a meal. I cleaned them within a few hours and put them in the refrigerator. At home the next day, we had them for dinner. They were very mushy! Is this typical for spring crappies? Maybe was how the fish were handled? What would cause this? I have cooked hundreds of walleye in my deep fryer over the years and have never experienced mushy fish. Last time I ate crappies was from ice fishing a few years back and they were phenomenal! Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

A) Adam, I actually have encountered mushy crappies in the past and have learned that the most likely cause is excessive moisture content. I have tried several methods of "firming them up" both prior to cooking them, and during the preparation and frying process. Here are a few things that I think have helped.

• Tom Chapin, retired game warden and author of “Poachers Caught”, shared a tip with me many years ago. He uses alum powder in a cold-water bath before cooking crappies. Alum helps draw excess moisture out of the fillet and helps make the flesh firmer before its cooked.
• Another way of drawing excess moisture out of the fillet is to apply the coating well before dropping them in the hot oil. I apply my fish coating and place them on a flat cutting bord about 15 minutes before I plan to fry the fillets. The coating draws out some excess moisture and helps deliver a firmer fried fillet.
• Cooking the fish too fast, at too high a temperature works against a firm finished product too. For many, 350 degrees is the target temperature. For me, a lower temperature and longer cooking time allows more moisture to escape, without running the risk of over-cooking. Overcooking, especially of delicate fish like crappies, is another chief cause of mushiness and should be avoided.
• Want a quick look at what my fillets look like in the frying pan? Here's a 30 second video with a quick tutorial about how I "Fry My Fillets" at the perfect cooking temperature.
• Crowding the fillets can cause problems too. When there are too many fillets in the cooker, moisture can build up and cause steaming of the fillets. I find that I’m better off cooking a few fillets at a time, rather than trying to fit the maximum number of them in my pan.
• Finally, another “trick” that works well for me is to allow the cooked fillets to rest for a while before serving them. Instead of serving your crappie fillets hot out of the oil, place them on absorbent paper towels, and allow them to cool. This method has worked very well for me and has become my preferred procedure.

It wouldn’t surprise me if readers offered more ideas, so keep an eye out for more tips in the coming days. So, folks, consider this your gold engraved invitation to offer your guidance for preparing a better fish dinner. And as always, your comments, opinions and suggestions are more then welcome here. Drop us a line and let your fellow anglers know what’s on your mind. — Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Office Cell Call or Text 218-245-9858 or Email on Facebook on X

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Wired2Fish May 30, 2025 "[VIDEO] Lawyer’s Tips for Topwater Fishing Post-Spawn Bass"

"In this video, professional bass angler Jeremy Lawyer shows how to maximize bites during the post-spawn period using a frog – in especially shallow water. These fish are beginning to aggressively guard their fry, so the conditions are perfect for this high-action approach.
Why a Frog Excels in Postspawn Conditions

Frog fishing isn’t just for early mornings. In fact, Lawyer explains how the bite often improves as the day progresses. With minimal wind and high skies, shade pockets become key. Bass position themselves in areas that have shade lines, such as bushes and willow trees, and are waiting for an easy meal. The frog provokes intense reaction strikes—especially when fry are near the surface. Lawyer relies on a popping frog over a walking-style frog for one key reason—control in tight cover. In shallow, shaded zones, bass may ..." Read Article and Learn More >> [VIDEO] Lawyer’s Tips for Topwater Fishing Post-Spawn Bass

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