Gutting ethics

[justinfisch01]

Now I know it is illegal to fillet a striper when you are out fishing, but as long as its a keeper is there anything wrong with bleeding and gutting it if you have a long ride home?

[ASK4Fish]

i've often wondered the same thing...i have been told it was ok to bleed them by a VMRC officer but its hard to say whether gutting is ok...cleaning is forbidden to prevent keeping of fish that are said to have been keepers with no proof...

[bluerunner]

gutting I think should be ok

[rattler]

from what i've been told...as long as the body is intact to verify size gutting is ok...

[ASK4Fish]

i know with flounder and some other species you need only the carcass that is at least the minimum size...but rockfish are a definite no-no on the filleting...

[justinfisch01]

Yeah I am heading to AI just for the dayo n Sat. and unlike other times when I am staying somewhere I'll clean it there but since I got a 2 1/2 hour ride home ,I would like to do atleast that, Why keep the heart in? I just cut the belly and rip out all that crap

[Drumdum]

Technically they can give you a ticket for gutting one.. Mutilation of a fish,acording to fish cops.. I think you could beat the ticket no problem,but what a pain...

[Catfish713]

They have never given me any flack about it as long as they are not shortened in any way. :rolleyes: just make shure the body is intact and they should leave you alone. :cool:

[Dr. Bubba]

I always thought that as long as you retain the carcass you could fillet away. I'm sure your mileage will vary in different states. But if one were to keep a legal fish, fillet it, then leave the carcass in the cooler with the fillets...no harm no foul.....I dunno?

[sand flea]

I've never had any problem cleaning fish as long as you keep the carcass and discard it just before you leave.

[repair5343]

Floridas law is you can scale and gut a slot fish but thats all.
Any other fish that doesn't require a measurment
you can do what you want.

[Drumdum]

I've never had any problem cleaning fish as long as you keep the carcass and discard it just before you leave.

Flea,I talked to the main NCDMF marine fisherys officer on the way through Boody Island one day.. I asked him specificly the question about carcusses,said it was a myth and you COULD BE ticketed.. He told me if the fish was cut or maimed in any way shape or form,he could technically give you a ticket for mutilation of a fish..
That being said,probably 99 out of 100 officers will let you slide.. After meetin up with this guy though,he'd most definatly be that 1 out of a hundred...:rolleyes: :D

[justinfisch01]

yeah the problem is up here anything to due with stripers the DNR is all over you. Any other fish I wouldn't even thnk twice. But with Stripers I will be a little weary

[xfreemanx]

I caught a silver trout at a pier, about 10-12 inches long. I ran out of bait. I sliced the trout up to make cut bait.

Have I committed a violation?:confused:

[derekxec]

Same myth in Florida - just keep the carcass after you filet the fish, and you'll be OK. But that's not what the law says.

i wouldnt do that because the measuring of a fish you go from the head over the body and to the tail

my friend bled a snook (was 26 1/2 inches sat in the sun for a few to bleed) and when the lady came up and measured it she jammed the head all the way back into the body and came up 1/2" short...he got $500 fine and 2 months in jail

[RuddeDogg]

On the fish & game guys. I know here you can fillet but you need to keep the carcass. Don't come back with out it. Than ya got problems.

[rgking03]

I have always gutted and bleed my blues before placing in the cooler. Helps cool the meat down alot quicker.. Cut the throat and rip down the body and stuff with ice. Helps the filleting process alot easier.. Never done it with stripers just pack in ice real good. But what i do know is when you are heading back in on the boat or off the surf get a bucket of clean saltwater and rinse your fillet in after cleaning and not fresh water. your meat will taste alot better.. :fishing:

[derekxec]

But what i do know is when you are heading back in on the boat or off the surf get a bucket of clean saltwater and rinse your fillet in after cleaning and not fresh water. your meat will taste alot better.. :fishing:

do you have a reason as to why it tastes better? not saying i dont believe you just wondering if you know why it makes it taste better

[KT_UMCP]

AT SPSP a few months back I caught a couple 10"-12" blues and used them as cutbait (filet). DNR came and I had the blue remains with me and he measured the skeletal remain of the blue I cut up. I believe it is not illegal to gut and bleed a legal size striper so long as it does not hinder with the actual measurement of the fish.

[david123]

KT

Different story with blues. Although there is a posession / daily limit, there is no SIZE limit. So In NJ, as for blues, short fish do not matter. If you are using them or bait, you are still limited to the daily limit as far as fish taken. Doesn't matter if you take 6 inchers or 6 pounders. You are still limited to 15 fish (In NJ). It is my understanding that fish with a Size Limit have to be in a measurable condition.

[rgking03]

do you have a reason as to why it tastes better? not saying i dont believe you just wondering if you know why it makes it taste better

To be honest I have found that it makes the fish taste cleaner and allows the fillet keep more natural wild flavor to it. When the fillet is rinsed with fresh water the meat becomes almost bland in flavor resulting having to add alot of seasoning to it. Plus countless number of customers say they think it tastes better having the fillets cleaned with saltwater then fresh... Give it a try next time and tell me what you think!!:)

[Fishman]

Jusy bleed the fish either by cutting the gills or cutting the fish near the tail and you will be ok. Then when you get to cleaning table then you can scale, cut, gut and fillet your fish.