Surf fishing: Keeping catch fresh while walking the beach?
Dec 3, 2021 08:06:39 #
Is it even possible?
I've surf fished many times before and generally only on vacations with the family and either right in front of the house near the closest public access. Success varied wildly and it was always bottom fishing. This year I switched it up by casting in the surf, and actually had some decent, though not always consistent, success (several Spanish, a slot Red Drum, and a PB Bluefish of 5 lbs; got skunked plenty, too). I live not too far from the OBX, making day/weekend trips are not out of the realm of possibility through the year so I'd like to keep practicing (and just finding an excuse to fish since this is the only way I get to do it anymore).
My dilemma is that I love to eat fish and prefer keep my catch (if legal). Most of the fish this year were near where the rest of my family was, and thus a cooler on a beach cart, but I'd love to just take off walking down the beach fishing cuts and generally casting to see what will bite. Most, if not all, people I've seen do this are strictly catch and release, probably due to feasibility of keeping vs. releasing; plus it's good conservation practice.
What I'd like to know is if anyone has found success in storing fish caught on the beach in this way and how you did it?
I've seen some ulua fish packs that are apparently popular in Hawaii for hike-to fishing spots and I've looked into soft-sided backpack coolers but haven't found much that stood out (though Engel's backpack cooler looks somewhat promising). I'm not looking to keep 100+ whiting or anything, but just want to have something on hand in which to stash that occasional slot red, flounder, or speckled trout into for a future fish fry without dragging a 50 qt cooler behind me. Any suggestions/advice are appreciated and thank you in advance!
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by nerdynek2
I've surf fished many times before and generally only on vacations with the family and either right in front of the house near the closest public access. Success varied wildly and it was always bottom fishing. This year I switched it up by casting in the surf, and actually had some decent, though not always consistent, success (several Spanish, a slot Red Drum, and a PB Bluefish of 5 lbs; got skunked plenty, too). I live not too far from the OBX, making day/weekend trips are not out of the realm of possibility through the year so I'd like to keep practicing (and just finding an excuse to fish since this is the only way I get to do it anymore).
My dilemma is that I love to eat fish and prefer keep my catch (if legal). Most of the fish this year were near where the rest of my family was, and thus a cooler on a beach cart, but I'd love to just take off walking down the beach fishing cuts and generally casting to see what will bite. Most, if not all, people I've seen do this are strictly catch and release, probably due to feasibility of keeping vs. releasing; plus it's good conservation practice.
What I'd like to know is if anyone has found success in storing fish caught on the beach in this way and how you did it?
I've seen some ulua fish packs that are apparently popular in Hawaii for hike-to fishing spots and I've looked into soft-sided backpack coolers but haven't found much that stood out (though Engel's backpack cooler looks somewhat promising). I'm not looking to keep 100+ whiting or anything, but just want to have something on hand in which to stash that occasional slot red, flounder, or speckled trout into for a future fish fry without dragging a 50 qt cooler behind me. Any suggestions/advice are appreciated and thank you in advance!
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by nerdynek2
Dec 4, 2021 10:17:36 #
hhager23
Loc: Hatteras NC
FS Digest wrote:
Is it even possible? br br I've surf fished many ... (show quote)
Easy - check out Canyon Fish Bags. I've had one for years and it has worked great.
https://www.fishbagsandstuff.com/canyon--fish-bags.html
Dec 4, 2021 20:49:48 #
Depending on which way the tide is running you could bury a fish in the wet sand.
Dec 4, 2021 22:04:05 #
Chas304
Loc: New Jersey
+1 on burying in sand. Just make sure you mark the spot. I will walk off so may steps from a landmark in the dunes. Easy to lose m if you travel any distance. Pick them up on your way in.
Dec 15, 2021 10:20:45 #
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