I'm with the crappie crowd. It's by far my favorite freshwater fish to eat. I think the smaller ones are better tasting for some reason but I sure do like catching those 3# +, which are considered big for this part of the country. I fillet 2# and up but I fry the smaller ones whole. Most varieties of catfish here are good, but my favorite has to be the flathead. 8-10# is the ideal size in my book. I fish the Mississippi river from time to time, but I refuse to eat the larger cats that come out of there. Because all but the flathead are bottom feeders, and they taste just like you soaked the meat in diesel. I suspect it's because of how much time they've spent feeding off the bottom when all the tug boats have been running in that river. It does make for some great fishing and monster catfish though.
Even though they are a bit stronger in flavor I also like bream,bluegill,sunfish or whatever name you call them them in your neck of the woods.
My typical mix for cooking is to use 2 to 3 parts yellow corn meal, 1 part flour, salt, pepper, and ground red pepper to taste and deep fry. I like my fish to have a little bite even after they make it to the plate.