That's a low blow, Chuck. If your wife ever found out what I did with that last cookie, we'd both be in trouble.........
[/quote

Whoa buddy! What happens between two consenting fishermen in federal waters should stay in federal waters!

Cleaning fish questions.

I know many of you guys clean your own fish. I am tired of the $300 cleaning bill and it seems with that bill there is a lot of waste and unless you are in the front of the line it maybe faster to clean them yourself. So questions:

1. How do you guys transport whole fish?
2. Where do you guys clean those fish?
3. Any favorite videos of the method you like the best?
4. Is it practical to head and gut the fish, put it on ice and clean the rest at home? Just trying to get on the road as soon as possible with this one.

I like putting fish whole in the cooler with lots of ice. If transporting in a pickup, I like to prop up one end of the cooler and leave the drain open. Keeps the fish from soaking in fresh water. I usually keep the like this until the next day when I drive home. I clean them when I get home.

Not sure about heading and gutting the fish. Everyone says fresh water is taboo for tuna and that would expose the flesh. If I need room, I just whack the tail off.

Believe it or not, I find cleaning fish kind of therapeutic after a trip and would never pay someone to do it. Put some good music on, get a good brew and get at it. Wife never seems to bother me when I'm cleaning fish... I wonder why?

if you want to just filet the meat off w/skin still on double hefty and a knot will keep ice water off the meat.IMO it takes longer to head and gut than filet.

Ok, yall pay attention.

I talked to Willie about deep dropping for meat (600+ feet)
I need a consensus of who's in for it & who's not.
I think between 3-4 of us, there will be plenty of tackle to drop with.
here's the thing- because of gear availability, & tangle issues,
If Capt decides to let us do it, my bet is only 4-5 lines down at
a time, maybe less.
This will require a rotation of anglers on available gear, which translates into time spent. shouldn't matter if fish are coming over all day.
so I need to know who's in for this, & who's out. majority rule
but it's entirely dependent on PC's decision.
I also wanna know how those with the gear feel about rotating
24 limits of fish thru it.

speak up , gents...........

Well depending on the current, etc. I would like to try to drop down for some tiles and exotic snaps. I have a reel I could respool with braid to get me there.

This has been successful with DD on their multiday trips so it seems like FW could come up with something to keep up with the competition.

I have a senator 114HLW (6/0 wide) on a broomstick with rollers, 130 lb JB, upgraded carbon drags. I usually have 80lb mono leader but can put on what ever leader is appropriate and everyone is welcome to use it. I have no idea what it's like to deep drop with it which is why lite liner is bringing a pink skirt for me to wear when I hold an electric drill to it to bring up the weight. I would love to daytime deep drop, there usually isn't much caught daytime anyway so rotations aren't a big deal to me. I can nap and eat when it's not my turn.

Thanks for the help with fish cleaning. I have a large cooler and can borrow one from dad and clean them at home, thanks. I can experiment to find how I like cleaning them the best.

you know i'm game on the drop.

I'm in

When offshore, never say never! IF, it works for Captain Russell, would not be opposed to trying something different...
And, I would be able to find something to reach the bottom...
What about putting Braid on some of the Electro-mates that
Scat Cat might let us use?

I have wondered what the cost of spooling up some of those with braid. If we are talking 4 or 5 total rods dropping, the cost to spool those electra mates might not be bad. I wouldnt think they need a top of the line hollow line for deep dropping.

Until, we talk to captain Russell these conversations are for
fun.... my only concern is that Tile Fishing is something Scat Cat has not been doing and might be hit and miss.... I do not know.. I have never caught a Tile fish..so I am un-informed in
this area...

If this trip goes I would like to be contacted, I have done deep drop before 900' and have all my own tackle for it.
Larry

This looks interesting:

http://fishwinch.com/ElectricFishingReels.html