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Author Topic:   Where Do You Put Your Fish

boxers posted 02-19-2003 07:57 PM ET (US)
We were wondering where Montauk 17 owners and smaller whaler owners keep the fish they catch. The new 170 Montauk and 190 Nantucket don't have fish lockers either.
In the past we have owned Center console boats with a 72 qt cooler up front. We always kept ice, food and drinks in there. After a fish was brought aboard the fish went in the fish locker and we transferred ice from the cooler to the fish throughout the day. I guess a second cooler would suffice but it would be interesting to hear what the other members have to say.
jimp posted 02-19-2003 08:07 PM ET (US)
boxers -
Depends on what size fish! Most fish get a line through the gills and stay in the water tied off to the rail. When getting underway, they're hauled aboard. Salmon (6-18 pounds) get the deck aft of the RPS. Halibut (15-60 pounds) go aft of the RPS. Large halibut (60-165 pounds) go forward. I used to keep to many things stowed in the 72-qt coolers to make them of any fishing use.
JimP
JBCornwell posted 02-19-2003 08:23 PM ET (US)
Hi, Boxers.
I have used a 94qt. Igloo with a drybox. I keep the food and drinks in the drybox and ice in the bottom.
Fish go in the ice without contaminating the food or drink.
That doesn't leave a lot of room for either, so I have added a Igloo Extra cold 50, with a cushion from an old 48, for the food and drinks. The fish will now go into the 94.
The 50 is in the starboard stern, bungeed to the side rail.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Dick posted 02-19-2003 08:29 PM ET (US)
boxers
Being a bass fisherman my fish just go into the ice chest along with the beer. I just dunk the beer can in the lake befor opening.
jimp
Couldn't believe the size of those halibut untill I looked at your profile.
Does Pete still run Alaska Ship Chandlers up there?
Dick
Perry posted 02-19-2003 09:09 PM ET (US)
Got an Igloo marine 94 qt with cushion in front of console for fish and a 36 qt cooler under plot seat for food and drinks.
aubv posted 02-19-2003 09:13 PM ET (US)
On our 1996 17' Outrage we use the front cooler for dry goods, etc. We can fit a 94 qt cooler under the RPS. That's where the fish go!
It's actually the one thing I don't like about the 19' Nantucket, I'd much rather have an RPS or leaning post with chocks to hold a larger cooler.
jimp posted 02-19-2003 09:16 PM ET (US)
Dick -
Yup, Pete's still there.
FYI. My wife got 2 86-pound halibut in 6 minutes while we were in Kodiak. They took up a lot of room!
JimP
Dick posted 02-19-2003 09:21 PM ET (US)
jimp
I can appreciate that. Used to fish halibut in PW Sound out of Cordova.
Dick
homey posted 02-19-2003 10:09 PM ET (US)
Boxers,
I will be using a insulated fish bag. Its slim design allows it to hang on the inside of your gunnel.(not taking up precious space like a cooler) It folds inhalf and has a zipper. Two velcro straps will secure it to the hand rails...It will hold large amounts of ice and good size fish...
I got the insulation. (silver foil with bubble rap inside, very flexible and strong)I think its called retroflex? In the roofing dept. I also picked up Heavy Duty Rubber coated canvas to protect the insulation and to be sewn around the shell for added strength. Paint dept. I took the measurements and designed it for my boat. (60" long and 25" high) Then to area canvas shop for professional assembly. Materials and labor = $100.00
homey posted 02-19-2003 10:14 PM ET (US)
Boxers, I picked up the materials at Home Depot, and my boat is a 25' Outrage....Disclaimer: I do not work for Home Depot, Just thought the Fish bag may suit your needs...Homey.
boxers posted 02-19-2003 10:22 PM ET (US)
Maybe with the 190 Nantucket you could order it with swivel seats and put a second cooler behind the seats. The leaning post/livewell is nice but takes up alot of space if your not using live bait to fish.
As for putting your beer into the water prior to opening it(to wash off the fish slime) my guess is this would fall out of favor with the salt water anglers. Keeping the fish in the water may pose a problem in salt water too. Many times as we are reeling one in-a barracuda or shark attacks the hooked fish for an easy meal.
Thank for the interesting responces so far
FISHNFF posted 02-19-2003 11:00 PM ET (US)
On my 17, and all the other commercials around here running small Whalers, we either remove the RPS or order the hulls w/o them and keep a 150 quart cooler on deck. I usually keep a 126 Igloo and a 105 Rubbermaid for salmon and halibut. A very good day will have both filled. I will usually pack one with ice, then bleed fish in the other one. Salmon all get cleaned immediately. For tuna I will add another 150 Igloo and a 40 gallon bleeder barrel.
FISHNFF
Swellmonster posted 02-20-2003 07:23 AM ET (US)
I wish I could catch enough fish to even have to worry about this.
prj posted 02-20-2003 09:05 AM ET (US)
Northwoods, walleye are the only fish that we keep. In my 15' Striper, the front anchor well acts as live well with plug out. The fish tend to live and swim, at least until the first run to a new spot drains them dry.
Bigshot posted 02-20-2003 10:49 AM ET (US)
I keep my fish at Kash & Karry....much cheaper in the long haul and you don't have to clean them.
Tom W Clark posted 02-20-2003 11:36 AM ET (US)
This is one of those threads where I read it and think: "What are these guys talking about?!"
In a Montauk the fish go in the bow locker on ice, of course. The 86 quart Igloo cooler in front of the console on my Montauk was far too valuable for dry storage to use for ice, drinks and fish. It also will not drain overboard .
The bow locker on the other hand has way more insulation than a cooler and it drains all that fish slime and blood over board. I put the drinks and food up there too and yes, IF there is any slime on a can of whatever I just rinse it over the side. You'd really have to be a sissy to be put off by a little salt or fish smell.
newt posted 02-20-2003 12:34 PM ET (US)
Well, I havent caught too many fish, but this past summer the bait went into the cooler along with beer and water, and the fish went into the splash well directly in front of the motor.
I have yet to start carrying so much stuff that I need the cooler for dry storage.
Tom, if the fish go in the front, where do you keep your anchor?
Perry posted 02-20-2003 12:35 PM ET (US)
Where do you keep your anchor if the fish and drinks go in the bow locker?
Jimm posted 02-20-2003 12:49 PM ET (US)
"The fish will now go into the 94." --posted by JB.
You are certainly an optomist; a 94 quart full of fish!..Jim
JBCornwell posted 02-20-2003 02:27 PM ET (US)
Forgot to mention that the 94 will become a livewell.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
raygun posted 02-20-2003 02:44 PM ET (US)
My fish and crabs(mostly crabs) go into the well built into my rear casting deck. With the crabs I even keep water in there for them and occassionally pull the plug and bail more water into it for them.
Matthew posted 02-20-2003 02:53 PM ET (US)
On the 170 the Salmon go in the 72qt cooler in front of the console. I'm able to store some food on the cooler trays. I store the majority of my gear under the console and expect others to use the remaining space under the center console, the bow locker and the console cooler until a fish is brought aboard.
A seperate 56 qt cooler is brought along for beer, and the remaining food. This cooler is then used for the Dungeness Crab when in season. The crab pots are generally pulled on the way back to the ramp, so this cooler is near empty.
Matt
Salmon Tub posted 02-20-2003 03:48 PM ET (US)
I put fish into the cooler infront of the console. My bow locker contains my anchor and line, drouge, and slickers. Bait goes into the cooler until we get fish, then the bait goes where-ever. As for lunch, we don't need no stinkin' lunch, or so we hope, you know, on the water by 6 am, limits by 8 am, back home for breakfast by 10am. (never happens!) Lunch will usually be crammed into whatever place it will fit, heck if I wanted storage space and order, I would have bought a cuddy cabin.
By the way, have you seen what most of the cuddies look like inside? It seems most get hit by a hurricane after the first few trips of the season. I have yet to see a cuddy that was neat and organized, unless it was on a boat that got little if any use.
TightPenny posted 02-20-2003 04:39 PM ET (US)
My fish go in the bow locker on my 2000 Montauk. There is little need for an anchor fishing in the Ocean so I keep the anchor in the console.
The (reusable) ice for the fish comes in 1 and 2 liter soda bottles, so the ice doesn't melt away and all of the cold water wasted overboard. This works fairly well but I have to keep reminding people not to drink the water in the small bottles after two uncles of mine at a party drank the contents of two gatorade icecube bottles. Fortunately, neither died from the experience
elaelap posted 02-20-2003 05:01 PM ET (US)
"there is little need for an anchor fishing on the ocean...[!]
I sure hope your motor doesn't conk out on a windy day on a lee shore, TightPenny. I never worried much about finding myself in such a situation with my sailboats, 'cause I could always work my way out...calms and strong tidal currents frightened me much more, but that's why I had anchors. Now that I've got my first motorboat, which is having a new motor rigged even as I write, I'm scared you-know-whatless about the above scenario. I would no sooner go on the sea without an anchor than I would ride bareback in a Louisiana bordello, no offense hooter.
Tony
Whaler Proud posted 02-20-2003 07:29 PM ET (US)
Fish? What fish? :>)
seasicknes posted 02-20-2003 10:13 PM ET (US)
Same as FishnFF. I also fish the same areas as him. I usually put a 105 qt cooler or bigger up front and bungee it down.
Ken (17 whaler/22 hydrasport)
hooter posted 02-20-2003 11:01 PM ET (US)
Bare-back? None o'the gals 'round here will keep a sadle on f'long with all that kickin', but you can leave on your overalls if you like (better leave the spurs at home, though).
Always kept a li'l 20-qt cooler behind the RPS f'grub on our 16's and on the current 18'. The big cooler up front's always been for the fish. Bait stays in the live well.
TightPenny posted 02-21-2003 01:28 PM ET (US)
elaelap,
I didn't say I didn't have an anchor. I said that there was little use for it fishing in the Ocean. The anchor is there if I need it and it is easily gotten where it is stowed in the Console.
My fishing is predominately drift fishing or trolling (which just doesn't necessitate the use of an anchor), so my bow locker is for fish, not an anchor.
On the times when I fish a wreck, I have an additional separate rebar anchor (grapple) and line kept in a 5 gallon bucket.
BillB posted 02-21-2003 01:43 PM ET (US)
I use a large baggie in a lightweight insulated lunch box.....and actively promote the "Fillet and Release" program ;)
Bill
LuckyLady posted 02-21-2003 01:53 PM ET (US)
Here in Hawaii the 15' Whalers use the fish bag that you can buy for $100. I've seen 150 pound Ahi's in them. They keep the ice in a cooler and just add to the bag when needed.
The people that fish alot in the 17' Whalers for a living have built a fish box from the stern to the console. They use it as a seat also. I plan on building one when I get to that stage on my Nauset.
elaelap posted 02-21-2003 03:45 PM ET (US)
Sorry TightPenny--
I re-read your post and sure, you talked about keeping an anchor in the console. Shoulda known better, having read several of your knowledgable posts in the past. Not the first time in my life I've put my foot in my mouth, or my head in another orifice.
Tony
TightPenny posted 02-21-2003 04:17 PM ET (US)
elaelap,
No problem.
BillB,
Watch where you fish. Fillet and Release is totally illegal in New Jersey waters, so if you drift westward into our waters, watch out for the Fish and Game people. They take a real dim view of your method :)
Personally I fillet and feed the local crabs.
boxers posted 02-23-2003 09:47 PM ET (US)
T W C I'm with you on the idea of putting fish in the anchor locker. Its insulated, drains and easy to wash out when you return to port. I have thought of putting the anchor in a duffle bag between the cooler (in front of the console) and the anchor locker. For medium sized fish this would be just fine. The guys using large coolers, bags and additional storage lockers seem to be carring larger loads and/or much bigger fish.
An extra 72 qt cooler makes for a great dry storage area as well.
Calling someone a name because they don't want to wash fish slime off their beer brings up my responce WHY? Its like seedless grapes- why buy ones with seeds when you can get them without seeds? My question is why mix food and fish if you don't have to?
Lastly, there is no such thing as a bad beer some just smell/taste better (and may be colder) than others. I'm sure most forum regulars would be more concerned about running OUT of beer than rinsing one off myself included.
Dick posted 02-23-2003 10:15 PM ET (US)
Fish and Game guys can be real sneaky. They use our gas dock on Lake Washington here in Seattle. Some of the boats they use you wouldn't park in your driveway. They are just a couple buddies out for a fishing trip. No ID untill you are caught.
No complaints, we need them so there will be fish tomorrow.
Dick
weed monkey posted 02-24-2003 02:22 PM ET (US)
I have a '70 Nauset that I bought used.
It came with an Igloo 152 qt. cooler set in a small wood frame (as a chock) for the seat.
This is where I store all dry goods.
Behind that I have an igloo 72 qt. for fish and bait. The 72 has a cushion and serves as seating for 2 people.
Up front on the seat I have a cooler for food and drink.
I fish the Chesapeake Bay and VA Eastern Shore and this arrangement works fine for all fishing except for late fall stripers.
Bob
triblet posted 02-24-2003 04:30 PM ET (US)
I put my fish on Ektachrome. ;-)
> "there is little need for an anchor fishing on the ocean...[!]
About once every six weeks, I hear a
conversation on the VHF (or at least the CG
side of it) that goes roughly:
Paniced Boater: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, we can't start
the motor and are drifting on the rocks.
CG: Do you have an anchor?
At this point one of two things happens:
there's a long pause while the boater drops
the hook and they get back on the radio much
more calmly, or the CG goes out of the harbor
code 3.

Chuck
BillB posted 02-24-2003 06:56 PM ET (US)
Thanks TightPenny, Just Kidding
That would be some drift for me to get to N.J. and given that I sometimes fish just outside the point at Montauk it would end up being a quite a sea crossing!
Actually though, I've just bought a 76' Montauk with the fiberglass casting deck option. This creates three extra stowage areas all with teak hatches. The two on the sides are molded tubs 48" long 9" wide and vary in depth from 6" to 10". There are drain holes aft at the deep end. Each one could probably hold 50 lbs of fish and ice.
I'm thinking of removing the Platform and coating the backside of the tubs with foam for additional insulation.
Bill
dann2015 posted 02-24-2003 07:49 PM ET (US)
I use a 94 qt. cooler in front of the console as a fishbox on my 17' Newtauk. No way the anchor locker would work for me as most of the fish I keep are long and skinny like king mackerel or dolphin. Still have to cut quite a few fish in half to fit them in the 94. I usually bring along a 48 quart cooler for drinks, bait, and more ice. Made the mistake of keeping drinks in the 94 quart cooler once and wound up w/ punctured beer cans courtesy of one pissed off kingfish. Will probably go w/ a fish bag this season as things get cluttered on offshore trips w/ 2 coolers, 2 extra gas cans, 25 gallon baitwell, and the obligatory 5 gallon buckets.

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Author	Topic: Where Do You Put Your Fish
boxers	posted 02-19-2003 07:57 PM ET (US) We were wondering where Montauk 17 owners and smaller whaler owners keep the fish they catch. The new 170 Montauk and 190 Nantucket don't have fish lockers either. In the past we have owned Center console boats with a 72 qt cooler up front. We always kept ice, food and drinks in there. After a fish was brought aboard the fish went in the fish locker and we transferred ice from the cooler to the fish throughout the day. I guess a second cooler would suffice but it would be interesting to hear what the other members have to say.
jimp	posted 02-19-2003 08:07 PM ET (US) boxers - Depends on what size fish! Most fish get a line through the gills and stay in the water tied off to the rail. When getting underway, they're hauled aboard. Salmon (6-18 pounds) get the deck aft of the RPS. Halibut (15-60 pounds) go aft of the RPS. Large halibut (60-165 pounds) go forward. I used to keep to many things stowed in the 72-qt coolers to make them of any fishing use. JimP
JBCornwell	posted 02-19-2003 08:23 PM ET (US) Hi, Boxers. I have used a 94qt. Igloo with a drybox. I keep the food and drinks in the drybox and ice in the bottom. Fish go in the ice without contaminating the food or drink. That doesn't leave a lot of room for either, so I have added a Igloo Extra cold 50, with a cushion from an old 48, for the food and drinks. The fish will now go into the 94. The 50 is in the starboard stern, bungeed to the side rail. Red sky at night. . . JB
Dick	posted 02-19-2003 08:29 PM ET (US) boxers Being a bass fisherman my fish just go into the ice chest along with the beer. I just dunk the beer can in the lake befor opening. jimp Couldn't believe the size of those halibut untill I looked at your profile. Does Pete still run Alaska Ship Chandlers up there? Dick
Perry	posted 02-19-2003 09:09 PM ET (US) Got an Igloo marine 94 qt with cushion in front of console for fish and a 36 qt cooler under plot seat for food and drinks.
aubv	posted 02-19-2003 09:13 PM ET (US) On our 1996 17' Outrage we use the front cooler for dry goods, etc. We can fit a 94 qt cooler under the RPS. That's where the fish go! It's actually the one thing I don't like about the 19' Nantucket, I'd much rather have an RPS or leaning post with chocks to hold a larger cooler.
jimp	posted 02-19-2003 09:16 PM ET (US) Dick - Yup, Pete's still there. FYI. My wife got 2 86-pound halibut in 6 minutes while we were in Kodiak. They took up a lot of room! JimP
Dick	posted 02-19-2003 09:21 PM ET (US) jimp I can appreciate that. Used to fish halibut in PW Sound out of Cordova. Dick
homey	posted 02-19-2003 10:09 PM ET (US) Boxers, I will be using a insulated fish bag. Its slim design allows it to hang on the inside of your gunnel.(not taking up precious space like a cooler) It folds inhalf and has a zipper. Two velcro straps will secure it to the hand rails...It will hold large amounts of ice and good size fish... I got the insulation. (silver foil with bubble rap inside, very flexible and strong)I think its called retroflex? In the roofing dept. I also picked up Heavy Duty Rubber coated canvas to protect the insulation and to be sewn around the shell for added strength. Paint dept. I took the measurements and designed it for my boat. (60" long and 25" high) Then to area canvas shop for professional assembly. Materials and labor = $100.00
homey	posted 02-19-2003 10:14 PM ET (US) Boxers, I picked up the materials at Home Depot, and my boat is a 25' Outrage....Disclaimer: I do not work for Home Depot, Just thought the Fish bag may suit your needs...Homey.
boxers	posted 02-19-2003 10:22 PM ET (US) Maybe with the 190 Nantucket you could order it with swivel seats and put a second cooler behind the seats. The leaning post/livewell is nice but takes up alot of space if your not using live bait to fish. As for putting your beer into the water prior to opening it(to wash off the fish slime) my guess is this would fall out of favor with the salt water anglers. Keeping the fish in the water may pose a problem in salt water too. Many times as we are reeling one in-a barracuda or shark attacks the hooked fish for an easy meal. Thank for the interesting responces so far
FISHNFF	posted 02-19-2003 11:00 PM ET (US) On my 17, and all the other commercials around here running small Whalers, we either remove the RPS or order the hulls w/o them and keep a 150 quart cooler on deck. I usually keep a 126 Igloo and a 105 Rubbermaid for salmon and halibut. A very good day will have both filled. I will usually pack one with ice, then bleed fish in the other one. Salmon all get cleaned immediately. For tuna I will add another 150 Igloo and a 40 gallon bleeder barrel. FISHNFF
Swellmonster	posted 02-20-2003 07:23 AM ET (US) I wish I could catch enough fish to even have to worry about this.
prj	posted 02-20-2003 09:05 AM ET (US) Northwoods, walleye are the only fish that we keep. In my 15' Striper, the front anchor well acts as live well with plug out. The fish tend to live and swim, at least until the first run to a new spot drains them dry.
Bigshot	posted 02-20-2003 10:49 AM ET (US) I keep my fish at Kash & Karry....much cheaper in the long haul and you don't have to clean them.
Tom W Clark	posted 02-20-2003 11:36 AM ET (US) This is one of those threads where I read it and think: "What are these guys talking about?!" In a Montauk the fish go in the bow locker on ice, of course. The 86 quart Igloo cooler in front of the console on my Montauk was far too valuable for dry storage to use for ice, drinks and fish. It also will not drain overboard . The bow locker on the other hand has way more insulation than a cooler and it drains all that fish slime and blood over board. I put the drinks and food up there too and yes, IF there is any slime on a can of whatever I just rinse it over the side. You'd really have to be a sissy to be put off by a little salt or fish smell.
newt	posted 02-20-2003 12:34 PM ET (US) Well, I havent caught too many fish, but this past summer the bait went into the cooler along with beer and water, and the fish went into the splash well directly in front of the motor. I have yet to start carrying so much stuff that I need the cooler for dry storage. Tom, if the fish go in the front, where do you keep your anchor?
Perry	posted 02-20-2003 12:35 PM ET (US) Where do you keep your anchor if the fish and drinks go in the bow locker?
Jimm	posted 02-20-2003 12:49 PM ET (US) "The fish will now go into the 94." --posted by JB. You are certainly an optomist; a 94 quart full of fish!..Jim
JBCornwell	posted 02-20-2003 02:27 PM ET (US) Forgot to mention that the 94 will become a livewell. Red sky at night. . . JB
raygun	posted 02-20-2003 02:44 PM ET (US) My fish and crabs(mostly crabs) go into the well built into my rear casting deck. With the crabs I even keep water in there for them and occassionally pull the plug and bail more water into it for them.
Matthew	posted 02-20-2003 02:53 PM ET (US) On the 170 the Salmon go in the 72qt cooler in front of the console. I'm able to store some food on the cooler trays. I store the majority of my gear under the console and expect others to use the remaining space under the center console, the bow locker and the console cooler until a fish is brought aboard. A seperate 56 qt cooler is brought along for beer, and the remaining food. This cooler is then used for the Dungeness Crab when in season. The crab pots are generally pulled on the way back to the ramp, so this cooler is near empty. Matt
Salmon Tub	posted 02-20-2003 03:48 PM ET (US) I put fish into the cooler infront of the console. My bow locker contains my anchor and line, drouge, and slickers. Bait goes into the cooler until we get fish, then the bait goes where-ever. As for lunch, we don't need no stinkin' lunch, or so we hope, you know, on the water by 6 am, limits by 8 am, back home for breakfast by 10am. (never happens!) Lunch will usually be crammed into whatever place it will fit, heck if I wanted storage space and order, I would have bought a cuddy cabin. By the way, have you seen what most of the cuddies look like inside? It seems most get hit by a hurricane after the first few trips of the season. I have yet to see a cuddy that was neat and organized, unless it was on a boat that got little if any use.
TightPenny	posted 02-20-2003 04:39 PM ET (US) My fish go in the bow locker on my 2000 Montauk. There is little need for an anchor fishing in the Ocean so I keep the anchor in the console. The (reusable) ice for the fish comes in 1 and 2 liter soda bottles, so the ice doesn't melt away and all of the cold water wasted overboard. This works fairly well but I have to keep reminding people not to drink the water in the small bottles after two uncles of mine at a party drank the contents of two gatorade icecube bottles. Fortunately, neither died from the experience
elaelap	posted 02-20-2003 05:01 PM ET (US) "there is little need for an anchor fishing on the ocean...[!] I sure hope your motor doesn't conk out on a windy day on a lee shore, TightPenny. I never worried much about finding myself in such a situation with my sailboats, 'cause I could always work my way out...calms and strong tidal currents frightened me much more, but that's why I had anchors. Now that I've got my first motorboat, which is having a new motor rigged even as I write, I'm scared you-know-whatless about the above scenario. I would no sooner go on the sea without an anchor than I would ride bareback in a Louisiana bordello, no offense hooter. Tony
Whaler Proud	posted 02-20-2003 07:29 PM ET (US) Fish? What fish? :>)
seasicknes	posted 02-20-2003 10:13 PM ET (US) Same as FishnFF. I also fish the same areas as him. I usually put a 105 qt cooler or bigger up front and bungee it down. Ken (17 whaler/22 hydrasport)
hooter	posted 02-20-2003 11:01 PM ET (US) Bare-back? None o'the gals 'round here will keep a sadle on f'long with all that kickin', but you can leave on your overalls if you like (better leave the spurs at home, though). Always kept a li'l 20-qt cooler behind the RPS f'grub on our 16's and on the current 18'. The big cooler up front's always been for the fish. Bait stays in the live well.
TightPenny	posted 02-21-2003 01:28 PM ET (US) elaelap, I didn't say I didn't have an anchor. I said that there was little use for it fishing in the Ocean. The anchor is there if I need it and it is easily gotten where it is stowed in the Console. My fishing is predominately drift fishing or trolling (which just doesn't necessitate the use of an anchor), so my bow locker is for fish, not an anchor. On the times when I fish a wreck, I have an additional separate rebar anchor (grapple) and line kept in a 5 gallon bucket.
BillB	posted 02-21-2003 01:43 PM ET (US) I use a large baggie in a lightweight insulated lunch box.....and actively promote the "Fillet and Release" program ;) Bill
LuckyLady	posted 02-21-2003 01:53 PM ET (US) Here in Hawaii the 15' Whalers use the fish bag that you can buy for $100. I've seen 150 pound Ahi's in them. They keep the ice in a cooler and just add to the bag when needed. The people that fish alot in the 17' Whalers for a living have built a fish box from the stern to the console. They use it as a seat also. I plan on building one when I get to that stage on my Nauset.
elaelap	posted 02-21-2003 03:45 PM ET (US) Sorry TightPenny-- I re-read your post and sure, you talked about keeping an anchor in the console. Shoulda known better, having read several of your knowledgable posts in the past. Not the first time in my life I've put my foot in my mouth, or my head in another orifice. Tony
TightPenny	posted 02-21-2003 04:17 PM ET (US) elaelap, No problem. BillB, Watch where you fish. Fillet and Release is totally illegal in New Jersey waters, so if you drift westward into our waters, watch out for the Fish and Game people. They take a real dim view of your method :) Personally I fillet and feed the local crabs.
boxers	posted 02-23-2003 09:47 PM ET (US) T W C I'm with you on the idea of putting fish in the anchor locker. Its insulated, drains and easy to wash out when you return to port. I have thought of putting the anchor in a duffle bag between the cooler (in front of the console) and the anchor locker. For medium sized fish this would be just fine. The guys using large coolers, bags and additional storage lockers seem to be carring larger loads and/or much bigger fish. An extra 72 qt cooler makes for a great dry storage area as well. Calling someone a name because they don't want to wash fish slime off their beer brings up my responce WHY? Its like seedless grapes- why buy ones with seeds when you can get them without seeds? My question is why mix food and fish if you don't have to? Lastly, there is no such thing as a bad beer some just smell/taste better (and may be colder) than others. I'm sure most forum regulars would be more concerned about running OUT of beer than rinsing one off myself included.
Dick	posted 02-23-2003 10:15 PM ET (US) Fish and Game guys can be real sneaky. They use our gas dock on Lake Washington here in Seattle. Some of the boats they use you wouldn't park in your driveway. They are just a couple buddies out for a fishing trip. No ID untill you are caught. No complaints, we need them so there will be fish tomorrow. Dick
weed monkey	posted 02-24-2003 02:22 PM ET (US) I have a '70 Nauset that I bought used. It came with an Igloo 152 qt. cooler set in a small wood frame (as a chock) for the seat. This is where I store all dry goods. Behind that I have an igloo 72 qt. for fish and bait. The 72 has a cushion and serves as seating for 2 people. Up front on the seat I have a cooler for food and drink. I fish the Chesapeake Bay and VA Eastern Shore and this arrangement works fine for all fishing except for late fall stripers. Bob
triblet	posted 02-24-2003 04:30 PM ET (US) I put my fish on Ektachrome. ;-) > "there is little need for an anchor fishing on the ocean...[!] About once every six weeks, I hear a conversation on the VHF (or at least the CG side of it) that goes roughly: Paniced Boater: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, we can't start the motor and are drifting on the rocks. CG: Do you have an anchor? At this point one of two things happens: there's a long pause while the boater drops the hook and they get back on the radio much more calmly, or the CG goes out of the harbor code 3. Chuck
BillB	posted 02-24-2003 06:56 PM ET (US) Thanks TightPenny, Just Kidding That would be some drift for me to get to N.J. and given that I sometimes fish just outside the point at Montauk it would end up being a quite a sea crossing! Actually though, I've just bought a 76' Montauk with the fiberglass casting deck option. This creates three extra stowage areas all with teak hatches. The two on the sides are molded tubs 48" long 9" wide and vary in depth from 6" to 10". There are drain holes aft at the deep end. Each one could probably hold 50 lbs of fish and ice. I'm thinking of removing the Platform and coating the backside of the tubs with foam for additional insulation. Bill
dann2015	posted 02-24-2003 07:49 PM ET (US) I use a 94 qt. cooler in front of the console as a fishbox on my 17' Newtauk. No way the anchor locker would work for me as most of the fish I keep are long and skinny like king mackerel or dolphin. Still have to cut quite a few fish in half to fit them in the 94. I usually bring along a 48 quart cooler for drinks, bait, and more ice. Made the mistake of keeping drinks in the 94 quart cooler once and wound up w/ punctured beer cans courtesy of one pissed off kingfish. Will probably go w/ a fish bag this season as things get cluttered on offshore trips w/ 2 coolers, 2 extra gas cans, 25 gallon baitwell, and the obligatory 5 gallon buckets.