# What to do with a soft shelled turtle

**URL:** <https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-soft-shelled-turtle/1240>\
**Category:** Freshwater Fishing General\
**Created:** [September 7, 2001, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-soft-shelled-turtle/1240 "2001-09-07T16:26:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/3X/1/8/180926762da1240f76b2aed5515c2fc9f63c17e0.png) [@system](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-soft-shelled-turtle/1240/1 "2001-09-07T16:26:16Z")

</div>

We’ve been catching a few soft shelled turtles from the river where I fish frequently. The largest was caught last weekend and was about 12 inches in diameter. We have been throwing them back.  
I know some people eat turtle. I’ve never eaten turtle or cleaned a turtle. But I’m willing to give both a try!  
So if any of you have suggestions on how to clean and cook a turtle, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ChrisP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@ChrisP](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/ChrisP)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2001, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-soft-shelled-turtle/1240/2 "2001-09-09T12:33:38Z")

</div>

my late Great GRAMP`s told me that da softshell has 7 different type of meats...clean 1 n u`ll c what he was talkin bout…i`ve caught several on da side of road while they were layin their eggs...r just sitin on side of road thinkin bout layin eggs...i caught 1 that already had hole dug n was layin them..i let her finish then took her home....i caught a reel big 1 that had bout 35 eggs n her...took da eggs n buried them n da kids sand box n hatched them...took them 2 local lakes n released them...i`ve done that on several occassions…i figure she gave me sum meat sew i`ll finish what she had started...first ya got 2 chop that head off...then roll her on her back n take bottom shell off...on her sides is tuff u`ll hav`ta use an axe 2 git through...then just skin her out...Bcareful not 2 break eggs...the 1`s with a shell…u kin eat them r plant them like i dew..butt 12 inches ant all that big…not enuff meat 2 fool with 4 me…da 1`s i git wood fill a wash tub up...n have a neck bout as big as my wrist...that`s good soup bone 2 da neck..da 1`s i useally git wood give me bout a gallon 2 a gallon n half of da finest meat..what i dew is season them with your fav season throw sum n your flour…scramble sum eggs n a bowl…dip them n your eggs then throw them n a bag of flour shakem up then fry them 2 a golden brown…  
M M M GOOD!..Bsafe!..C-Ya!..