Softshell Q&A....

[Water_boy]

First of all we spanked them this AM in the lower Pax with 2 bu of 6-8"ers from 6:30 - 12:00 w/1200 ft of line, we culled out everything under 6'. Earlier this season I shed 9 out of 10 peelers in a 48 QT Rubbermaid with a cheapo bubbler only, so today I kept 6 more peelers today to see if I could re-create my experiment. So, 6 hours later I already have a buster. First of all how do you all cook softshells, clean them etc.. ? How do you clean them and keep them fresh after they shed and for how long? I kept a couple alive in the fridge for a day or so but not sure how long they'll keep. I LOVE SOFTSHELLS!

[C-Hawk18]

As soon as they sluff put them in the freezer. They are easier to clean when frozen. To clean you cut off the eyes and mouth, cut off the apron and then remove the devil. Then you can dip them in flour and fry in butter.

[Durado]

Store them in little ziploc baggy's full of water. Fill them up all the way and freeze them in a solid block of ice. They will last over a year or more in solid ice. Cooking them is as simple as placing them in a frying pan with butter, salt and pepper. Ummmmm!!!!

[jumbo1]

Over here on the ES we....flour them...salt and pepper ...a little Old Bay and you know it........Hmmmmmm[grin]

[Fat Jimmy]

Waterboy, can you give some more details on the equipment and method you are using to shed? It sounds pretty simple and that's pretty darn good results that you are getting. I was in Crisfield earlier this week and bought a dozen whale softies for 28 bucks. Nice, big, fat babies and a dusting of seasoned flour, into some hot oil and onto a nice kaiser bun with lettuce and tomato worked just fine! FJ

[Butthead]

Water Boy...I'll tell you what...you shed em out, then just bring em to my house...I'll give you a quick lesson on cooking them.....I'll even help you eat them[grin][grin]