Ok, I'm a newbie at fishing. I just got my license this afternoon and will probably head out to the water in the next week or so. Lets just say that I am able to catch a keeper, what is the best way to handle it? Is throwing it on ice best, or whacking it on the head? I've read that letting it suffocate on ice can make the meat taste off. The ice situation seems less brutal, but I don't know that it is more compassionate to the fish. Unfortunately I'm learning as I go, since I do not know anyone that can teach me locally, so I appreciate any knowledge imparted on me!
thanks,
Brandon

Oh, I did search so I apologize if this has been addressed already!

what kind of fish?

I'm aiming for bass, but maybe catfish or trout.

Nothing wrong with putting them on ice. It has never hurt the taste as far as I can tell

Better figure out what kind of fish you are looking to catch, or you won't have to worry about "keepers". Each of the species you have named requires different methods of catching.

Yeah that's what I thought, I'm just not sure what is best fishing in my area. I really don't want to limit myself to one type I guess. I'm gonna try to start on bass though, and then catfish if I don't have luck with bass
I'll figure out which I prefer as I go, just wasn't sure what to do with one if I catch it!
Thanks,
Brandon

i'd just go for catfish, that'll be a lot easier on the beginner angler, its gonna be hard for you to catch enough keeper bass unless its just out of luck, just my .2

Ice them down always works well in hot weather. If you're catching something like striper, you might consider cutting the gills to let them bleed out a bit (some folks feel they have a 'fishy' taste to them).

As far as letting them bleed out, should I do that ASAP? I've read people that will clean them as soon as they catch them to keep a cleaner taste.
Brandon

me personally i throw them in my bucket with water that way snakes and turtles dont have to die. i mean eat my fish... anyways i pretty much keep em alive till i clean them

Straight on ice is the way I do it, unless I'm in a buddies boat with a live well. But even then, when we put the boat back on the trailer, fish go from the live well right onto the ice.

I don't fish to eat so I throw everything back. I only clean em I'd I'm camping which might be 1 or 2 times a year

Starless, do you keep your beer in a separate ice chest from the fish?

As to the original poster, yeah, throw 'em right on the ice. If you're in a situation where you can't have the ice chest right there with you, use a stringer or a basket. If your on the bank a basket is better, snakes and turtles will eat fish off a stringer.

sounds like you need to get a texas parks and wild life outdoor annual.can pick one up at wallmart in sporting goods.there are regulations on size and limit.keeping the wrong thing can cost you.