fish bag under deck

I don't worry about it quite as much with rockfish, but when I catch salmon I do everything I can to keep the flesh in tip top shape.

Salmon get stunned with a quick bonk, then I cut the gills and let it bleed out in the water. After they've finished bleeding and chilled on ice for a bit, I go ahead and remove the guts and blood line and pack the body cavity with ice for the remainder of my time on the water.

Ya'all are loaded with takin' care of business.  My japanese chef friend fisherman guy takes an icepick behind the eye to the spine and it imobilizes the fish, severing the spinal cord, then bleeds, but bonking sounds direct.

Ya'all are loaded with takin' care of business.  My japanese chef friend fisherman guy takes an icepick behind the eye to the spine and it imobilizes the fish, severing the spinal cord, then bleeds, but bonking sounds direct.

Ikejime is the official term

Don't get the tax man all hot on your tail

Don't get the tax man all hot on your tail

You know me, not much under the table, shark shield anyone?

So, nobody uses a fish bag in the hull? I've been thinking about doing so, but would need a better way to get into the front hatch OTW on my Hobie (Adventure/Revo 16). I know how I'd modify it (the hatch latch, that is) but just haven't done it yet.

I've been thinking about a fish bag myself, but a big concern is the spines on some of these critters puncturing through. Anybody have a comment on how to deal with this?

Deal with spines by purchasing a good quality kill bag. I've used mine for a couple years now and it doesn't show any real wear or damage.

Catch fish, put on gameclip, slit gills, then throw in tankwell covered by burlap. I actually let them bleed out in the water for a few minutes, before throwing in the tankwell (blood is more viscous in the water). And if you bonk first, they won't flush out all their blood...
Unless I'm fishing freshwater. In which case, just release it...freshwater fish are gross. 

Any shark concerns there?

Have done the same as Pat for years now, and (knock on wood) have never seen a shark.

Deal with spines by purchasing a good quality kill bag. I've used mine for a couple years now and it doesn't show any real wear or damage.

What do you use?

This one:

http://www.seaanglergear.com/36x20-insulated-inshore-fishing-bag/

Alex, why don't you bother bleeding and gutting with rockfish?

back in Hawaii I used a fish bag from Go Bananas, it was custom built to fit in a OK Scupper hatch. Could hold about 50# of fish plus 20# ice. Always a good sign when you fill the bag and gotta paddle in with something in your lap. Pretty much everyone back home uses a fish bag and ice. Most people bleed em out too. Gets too hot during the day not to carry ice.

Andy Cho uses a shortboard bag in his Trident. He can load around 100# of fish in his. Beast mode.

Alex, why don't you bother bleeding and gutting with rockfish?

I do bleed and gut the rockfish, I just don't worry as much about doing it in a hurry. If I'm on a school of rockfish I might let a few sit on the clip until it slows down then bleed and gut, whereas salmon get bled out as soon as possible.

Reasoning being... Rockfish flesh is firm and takes a little abuse without any noticeable  issues. It's also much easier to come by. Fresh salmon is a special treat. It deserves a little more care and respect, in my opinion.