Abalone Questions...

Hey everyone, I tried the search function but I didnt see any clear answers to my questions so here I am.  Oh and by the way, after years of following you guys over the internet I was getting all geared up to buy my first yak when I got layed off  So I'm still yak-less.  Anyhow, I've been ab diving a handfull of times now and on Tuesday I'm going diving at Caspar Cove with some brothers that got layed off also, and I want to do follow the rules so I hope you all can answer a few questions I have.  First, from my previous diving experiences I've left my Ab card on the beach in a backpack and filled it out upon exiting the water.  Do you think It would be ok to leave the card at the camp site, not far from the beach and fill it out there, or still leave it on the beach?  I just dont like the idea of leaving anything on the beach when no one is there to watch it.  Also, cleaning the Abs, Ive always used a filet knife to get all the black stuff off then slice and tenderize the white meat, is there a different method anyone uses to get the black off?  And Finally if anyone has been to the Caspar area recently and has a tip for diving the cove area I'd much appreciate it.  Thanks for your help guys, hopefully this layoff will be temporary and I can move forward with my yak plans and see you all out on the water!  If anyone wants to hang with us were gonna be at the Caspar Cove Campground Tues-Wed, take care,

Jeff

Jeff,

My understanding is that the Report Card needs to be completed (and tags attached to abs) immediately upon leaving the water. I definitely would not wait until getting back to camp, no matter how close it is. I bring mine out OTW with me, stash a beer on the beach, and do the tagging and report card completing as soon as I get back to the beach while I am drinking the beer!!
 
For the black, I have used a sponge to rub it off...I have also frozen the abs before and the black rubs off with a finger after they have been defrosted.

I have never dove at Casper, but have heard good things!!  Looking forward to reading your report!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Jeff,

My understanding is that the Report Card needs to be completed (and tags attached to abs) immediately upon leaving the water. I definitely would not wait until getting back to camp, no matter how close it is. I bring mine out OTW with me, stash a beer on the beach, and do the tagging and report card completing as soon as I get back to the beach while I am drinking the beer!!
 
For the black, I have used a sponge to rub it off...I have also frozen the abs before and the black rubs off with a finger after they have been defrosted.

I have never dove at Casper, but have heard good things!!  Looking forward to reading your report!!
 


Sincerely,

Jim

bud light lime ISN'T beer     

Jeff,

My understanding is that the Report Card needs to be completed (and tags attached to abs) immediately upon leaving the water. I definitely would not wait until getting back to camp, no matter how close it is. I bring mine out OTW with me, stash a beer on the beach, and do the tagging and report card completing as soon as I get back to the beach while I am drinking the beer!!
 
For the black, I have used a sponge to rub it off...I have also frozen the abs before and the black rubs off with a finger after they have been defrosted.

I have never dove at Casper, but have heard good things!!  Looking forward to reading your report!!
 


Sincerely,

Jim

bud light lime ISN'T beer     

That was actually a gift from Gabe/ElDorado!! Tastes great, less filling!!!
 
Give me one of your homebrew "real" beers and I will gladly drink it and take a pic of it with the next abs I get!!

Even better, let's go get some together, and you can bring the beer!!
 
 

Sincerely,

Jim

lol blame it on poor gabe!

Right on guys!  A stashed beer doesn't sound like too bad of an idea for filling out the cards.  I'm gonna give the sponge method a shot.  I really appreciate the help.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and report back after the trip. 

Cut it into steaks horizontially then trim the black off with a knife. Trim the foot with a sharp knife before slicing. Lay the ab foot down in a pyrex dish and it will flatten out in about 10 minutes then slice, with a knife into steaks and trim. Pound on a wooden cutting board til desired consistency is achieved. Use a wooden mallet if you can and hold it flat when pounding so as to not put cuts in the steaks.

For diving in Caspar Cove, i will only give out this:  Go north. 

Good luck with the lay-off.  Hope things pick up for you.

Dave

A nice stiff brush goes a long way with the black slime. It is also re-usable.

I put license, card, 2 pens, zip tys, and a little towel in a completely waterproof container and take it OTW, that way no matter where I exit it's with me.

I usually leave one leg in water as I fill out the card,

not taking any chances.......got a ticket a few years ago OTW in the yak because I forgot to fill out the card, which BTW is OK now but it wasn't in 07.

Take everything with you in a ziplock or watertight bag,I even have to take glasses with me!!!! Fill it out on the beach as soon as you exit(NO KIDDING). I clean the guts off,rinse off most of the black,Pound the topside with a large mallet until you feel it relax,then place in tinfoil with garlic,salt&pepper wrap it 3 times.Place in the coals of your campfire for about 20 min. Comes out so nice and tender you don't even use a knife to cut and eat.Good luck with the diving.

Do NOT leave the card at your campsite. Put it in a ziploc with several working pens, then inside a Nalgene widemouth bottle and put it in your float. Leave a towel on shore to dry your hands.

I put the entire abalone minus the shell in a big bowl or tub of water. You can then give it the heavy duty rub down while it is under the water. The black stuff comes off easy and quick. I then place the ab on its foot and cut long ways top to bottom into desired thickness. Each slice falls over on its side and I can quickly trim the foot leather off with one swipe. This is by far the fastest method I have tried.

The next time you cook abs crunch up some cheerios and add them to the flour. It makes a big difference. I will be eating abs at Albion this weekend.

Except for the "V" cut, this is the method I use. It gets the skin off nicely.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!  Tote, great video!  I'm gonna post up a report in the members section in a little bit.  See ya there!