Smoking Crappie?

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sdeters69

Newbie
Original poster
Dec 26, 2007
20
10
What is the best way to smoke crappie. I deep fry it now looking for a better and different way to cook these great tasting fish
 
Boy I don't think crappie would be a very good fish to smoke or if you did I would more so grill/smoke it. It wouldn't take very long for it to be done. I have grilled them many times and they are good that way.
 
I agree that grilling them in the smoker is the way to go. They cook so fast that they dont get much of a smoked flavor. I suppose a cold smoke would work if you have that kind of patience. I dont when there are crappie around.
 
I would save the smoke for an oilyer fish, maybe trout or salmon. Crappies are best pan fried in my opinion. I'm a little jealous though. Here I live in the middle of Walleye country, but I need to go get a meal of crappies this spring they are great eating.
 
Put me down for "the best way is pan frying", along with the bluegills & bass fillets.


Bearcarver
 
Great feedback. How would you go about grilling? Any special way and what do you use for seasoning? Thanks
 
I would never smoke crappie. They are way too delicate. If you feel like you must grill them do it on aluminum foil over low to medium temperature with a pat of butter or olive oil and your favorite seasoning. I prefer breaded and fried.
 
I have a panfish smoke at home, that I think I got on this forum. Use it an Alder wood and it would taste great.

If you need it PM me and I'll dig it up.
 
i would love to trade you a bag of crappie for some of that wallyeye i used to live in michigan now in missouri.not much wallyeye around here but lots of crappie
 
I take scales off and filiet fish, then I brine in 1/2 cup koser salt to 1 quart of water put a plate on top so they are under water little ones 2 hrs big slabs 3 hrs, rinse and dry with paper towel, put on metal rack with fan in front, they are ready to smoke when they dry aand have a sticky feel 30 to 60 mins. I have a little cheif smoker and I smoke for 4 hrs   THEY ARE AWSOME
 
I have found that delicate fish or much easier to smoke if you just filet off the back bone , remove the rib cage and leave the meat on the skin and scales.

 smoke till the meat flakes easily w/ a fork.  done sacalait "crappie" , rainbow trout, white trout" sand trout"  like this and they all came out great.
 
I have smoked sac-a-lait many times, filet off the bone, hot smoke for about 45 minutes at 150-200 depending on thickness. I will dust with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. I usually smoke them with pecan and they come out fantastic……
 
I love smoked fish... but crappie gets beer batter and released into lake crisco... I save the "fishier" fish for the smoker (trout, salmon, etc).
 
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