But, I would have liked to try smoking it, and I definitely would have tried (and experimented with variations on) the "Gravlax" curing technique, had I known about it then.
Thankfully, 1/4 mile through the woods from our house in Norfolk, MA, was a good-sized pond/lake that was overpopulated with crappie, and boasted schools of bluegill that ran up to 10 inches long! Great fun on ultralight tackle -- and good eatin'! (My two favorite food fishes...)
In the summers, between work and sundown, I usually could catch more than a meal for our family of five...
Curiously, the locals called both species, "Kivvers" -- and claimed they were too bony to eat.
I never argued with them... '-)
Awesome catch!
I had never heard the term ‘kivvers’ but then I never heard the term ‘buhdayahs’ for potatoes until I moved to MA.
Several places in MA sell bluefish pate’ which is quite tasty.