Where to store fish

New to float tubing looking for advice on where to store fish that I want to keep. Mostly advice on setup for saltwater. With freshwater I normally would slit a gill and use a stringer. I was thinking wire basket for freshwater but don't know what to use for salt. I don't want to be chumming for sharks. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum JWL70.

For freshwater I usually have the old fashion chain style clip on stringer with me because it is easy to store. However, I will use a mesh basket at times when I am chasing the Bluegill. I have seen the saltwater guys use a divers stringer, it is just a big metal loop you can clip on.

Enjoy the forum

I have never been one for keeping what I catch from the Salt but that is me if you want to go for it. The big hoop is the way to go if you choose to keep some Halibut. I would not worry about the sharks as much as the harbor seals. And welcome to the forum glad you found us.

Welcome to the forum JWL79,

I'm a 100% Catch & Release sportsman myself .... I'm just hooked on the drug named ... TUG! lol

I would highly recommend that you never place your catch in the salt water. The harbor seals have been known to be smart enough to unbutton and steal the catch from the game clip, without so much as being detected.
Other harbor seals can be extremely aggressive and take your catch along with you for an unwanted swim.
We are pool toys to them!

If you plan to (KK) kill and keep, then you should probably carry a 3-5 gal bucket or a game bag behind your seat, keeping your catch out of the water. But then on the other hand ... it's really OK to CPR as well. There's not a better feeling than to release a fish; that had just fought for it's life and allowing it to live and re-populate it's species for the future of our sport. Just my 2-cents.

I look forward to reading a lot of fish reports from you in the near future Sir!
Tight lines!

SP Dan     <"))><

Thanks for the replies. I am for the most part a catch and release guy but I will occasionally keep one or two. Thanks for confirming that keeping them in the water was a bad idea as I thought it was.

Ya like I said i release all but that is me. I know people that have kept some of what they caught. But the seals are the true concern you might get away with it once or twice but the tax collector will get there share at some point.

Welcome!

Don't forget the legal size requirements for saltwater fish. I've run into a couple of guys on the water that didn't even know there were size limits on saltwater bass. When it comes to mercury levels, you're on your own.

Thanks Bob, I have been fishing my whole life but don't saltwater fish often. You made a very good point. I am very aware of the limits and minimum size required.

That's a very good question. I am a new member I have recently sold my small skiff and am now the proud owner of a Savage Gear High Rider 170. I also catch and release 99.9% of the time as well. However if I was to catch a nice Halibut ($39.00 for a 2.5 lb bag a Costco) I might have to invite him to dinner. Just Saying

I think the 5 gallon bucket may be the way to go!!

special k wrote:That's a very good question. I am a new member I have recently sold my small skiff and am now the proud owner of a Savage Gear High Rider 170. I also catch and release 99.9% of the time as well. However if I was to catch a nice Halibut ($39.00 for a 2.5 lb bag a Costco) I might have to invite him to dinner. Just Saying

I think the 5 gallon bucket may be the way to go!!

probably the best way to go, fish out of the water saves you from the predictors looking for an easy meal. Welcome to the Forum special k I am sure you will like it here and we would like to hear more about the High Rider 170 when you have some reviews.

Will do this posting thing is all new for me but i will do my best.!!

jeffcpr wrote:

special k wrote:That's a very good question. I am a new member I have recently sold my small skiff and am now the proud owner of a Savage Gear High Rider 170. I also catch and release 99.9% of the time as well. However if I was to catch a nice Halibut ($39.00 for a 2.5 lb bag a Costco) I might have to invite him to dinner. Just Saying

I think the 5 gallon bucket may be the way to go!!

probably the best way to go, fish out of the water saves you from the predictors looking for an easy meal.  Welcome to the Forum special k I am sure you will like it here and we would like to hear more about the High Rider 170 when you have some reviews.

I came up with a simple and cheap keeper awhile back. I buy a mesh laundry bag, a foam pool noodle and some zip ties. Cut the noodle to size, zip tie it into a hoop around the rim, drag it on a ten foot leash tied to the tube somewhere. The whole thing weighs a few ounces, you can drop fish right in (never had an escape) and if something grabs it, I carry my knife on a neck loop to cut the leash in an emergency.

That works.
Around here gar and large turtles would be a threat, but worth the risk.

I like it, it's cheap ($5 give or take) and effective. I give them away all the time and have a new one within an hour lol.

I have my Laundry basket as well set up and ready to go, maybe not for the saltwater still does not sound like a good idea, but that is just me. It does work and yep it is cheap.

It's definitely a calculated risk. One I wouldn't take in say newport, but at cherry beach I've only ever run into 1 seal. I think it all depends on your location. But I also firmly believe in following ones own inner monologue. Gar dont bother me for example, but I'd never put my delicate self into water that might hold alligator snapping turtles lol!

Fishbones805 wrote:It's definitely a calculated risk. One I wouldn't take in say newport, but at cherry beach I've only ever run into 1 seal. I think it all depends on your location. But I also firmly believe in following ones own inner monologue. Gar dont bother me for example, but I'd never put my delicate self into water that might hold alligator snapping turtles lol!

Such true words

It's definitely a calculated risk. One I wouldn't take in say newport, but at cherry beach I've only ever run into 1 seal. I think it all depends on your location. But I also firmly believe in following ones own inner monologue. Gar dont bother me for example, but I'd never put my delicate self into water that might hold alligator snapping turtles lol!

I’ve never been bothered personally by gar, but I’ve had them attack fish I’m trying to land. Like barracuda, it’s the accidental incident you have to watch out for with them.
A large turtle came and bit my fin once, but that’s it.

I’m certain both will wreak havoc on a fabric mesh bag.
I’m thinking one of those metal mesh ones, with a large noodle ring for flotation might do the trick

If your going to do the 5 gal bucket, you might want to bring along a gunny sack to cover the fish while in the bucket. soak it well and cover your take. This will keep the sun, wind off your fish while keeping it moist and cool.

Secondly, I have a fish basket with the spring loaded top and bottom that I use when I go fresh water fishing. I took four water bottles and tie strapped them to the top of the basket. This allows the basket to float, whether shore fishing or tubing......GT

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That is great can I ask does the basket and down in the water the problem with the laundry basket version is it floats sideways most often.

I use an old metal fish stringer chain, remove the clips except for the first and last. One end clips to the basket the other to your tube or stake it when shore fishing. The basket stays upright. If all your fish are alive, they just swim around in the basket, causing little drag when kicking around in your tube..........GT

I use an old metal fish stringer chain, remove the clips except for the first and last. One end clips to the basket the other to your tube or stake it when shore fishing. The basket stays upright. If all your fish are alive, they just swim around in the basket, causing little drag when kicking around in your tube..........GT

Pretty much how I picture it

I use the metal basket to keep the fish alive and use a wheel barrel inner tube 4.80-8 to keep it afloat. It fits very nice around the top rim when not inflated.

“I use the metal basket to keep the fish alive and use a wheel barrel inner tube 4.80-8 to keep it afloat. It fits very nice around the top rim when not inflated. cheers”

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