The county has played host to numerous fish camps and seafood restaurants over the years. So what separates a makes a fish camp from a regular seafood restaurant?

A camp is usually family-owned, often more modest in appearance, and almost always serves up larger dishes than a seafood restaurant, explains Walter Israel, director of Gaston County Travel & Tourism.

But there is one test that a restaurant has to pass above all others: “A fish camp’s old standby has been fried, fried, and fried,” he says.

For fresh fried fish and hushpuppies, checkout these Gaston County fish camps:

AmberJack Seafood & Steaks
4235 S. New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 824-5502
amberjackseafood.com
Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 3-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Black’s Bluewater Seafood & Grill
1118 S. Main Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-1230
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-11 a.m., 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Captain’s Cap (3 locations)
670 Park St
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 825-4103
thecaptainscap.com
Opened in 1994
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Closed

1218 N. Highway 16
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-2121
thecaptainscap.com
Opened in 2001
Hours: Sunday-Monday, closed; Tuesday-Thursday, 3:30-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 3:30-9:30 p.m.

3140 Linwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 865-7433
thecaptainscap.com
Opened in 1981
Hours: Monday, Closed; Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 4-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3:30-9:30 p.m.

Catfish Cove
1401 Armstrong Ford Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 825-3332
catfishcove.net
Opened in 1989
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 3-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Firehouse Fish-N-Fixins
1206 Linwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 854-3474
firehousefishnfixins.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Closed

Lineberger’s Fish Camp
1101 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 396-6274
Open 1948-1998, re-opened in 2012
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 4-9 p.m.; Wednesday, Closed; Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 4-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Long Creek Fish Fry
1425 Lower Dallas Highway
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3998
Opened in 1948
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Closed; Wednesday, 1:30-9 p.m.; Thursday, noon-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

North Star Seafood
3150 Dallas High Shoals Rd.
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7715
northstarseafoodrestaurant.com
Opened in 1985
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Closed

Sharkey’s Place
141 W. Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 867-7427
sharkeysplace.com
Opened in 2012
Hours (including music after 10 p.m. and bar): Sunday-Monday, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Opens early for lunch: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.; Saturday 12 p.m.

Surf & Turf Lodge
808 N. 14th St.
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 629-0561
surfandturflodge.com
Opened 2006
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Closed; Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Twin Top Fish Camp
4574 South New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 825-2490
twintopsfishcamp.com
Opened in 1968
Hours: Sunday-Monday, Closed; Tuesday-Wednesday, 4-9 p.m.; Thursday, 4-9:30 p.m.; Friday 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, 3-10 p.m.

Hours are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm a restaurant is open.

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This list was compiled by Jonathan Black, and editorial intern at Our State during the summer of 2013.