After moving to Florida I found there are only 2 kinds of bugs. Those that bite me or those that sting me. OH WELL! Fishing is great. (Lol)
Commercial fishermen have families to take care of too. Most people don't fish but they like to eat fish so somebody needs to make the effort to supply that need.
I use 100% DEET. Some don't like it but it works for me.
A friend of mine, a longline halibut fisherman in Sitks, cut the gills on every halibut that came aboard. He got another 25 cents a pound that way.
Don't forget a couple Mepps Spinners. Size 0 and 1. Good for grayling. Also, #12 mosquito flies and silver doctor (if you can still find them). Had great fishing with all of them there.
Commercially caught salmon are in the holds at least that long. Enjoy!
I use a cooler with lots of ice. When salt water fishing I put some salt water in as well. Keeps fish fresh all day. Also, I don't filet any smaller fish. Scale with a curry comb, clean them and cook them.
Welcome Mel. I lived in Alaska for 40 years too. Then Washington and FINALLY Florida. Just getting to fish here.
I read somewhere that the bigger crabs don't sell as well as the smaller ones. Also, bigger (older) crabs have more barnicles (not as pretty) so the fishermen don't get paid as much.
Clean it up, lubes it and fish it. If it works well for you, great. Don't relegate it to the shelf just because of age. I have a couple Mitchel 300 reels from the 50's. I keep them clean, lubes and catch fish.
1. Scale and fillet, skin on.
2. Bring smoker or grill up to 350 f. I use mesquite wood.
3. When wood is producing smoke spray alum foil w/veg spray and put fish skin side down. Lightly spray fish and put in smoker/grill. Pan fish should be ready in about 20 min or so.
4. For salmon or steelhrad fillet skin off. Takes about 30 min.
Buck snort, did you move to Florida yet? I lived in Port Orchard for 20+ years and moved to Ocala FL last year. Have a new boat (to me) but have only had it out a few times.