Rockfish Keepers

[assists21]

When you all hook a big rock that you through on the grill that night, how do you all keep them till you get back to shore? Cooler in the kayak? Stringer? Fish bag? I need input as I am interested in kayaking but before I drop the money on a kayak I want to figure out how things work. This is one topic I haven't been able to find much info on. All your expertise is greatly appreciated.

[ronaultmtd]

I usually put my keeper fish on my stringer until I back get in to the launch then I transfer them to my insulated COSTCO shopping bag and ice them down for the trip home- this has worked well for me- fresh fish, still alive when I ice them down-

[sparky1423]

I prefer just using a stringer. Some guys will use a cooler placed behind them in the storage well. But that is where I keep my fishing tackle and wheels for transport. I do make it a point to get some ice and throw it in a cooler before I arrive to my fishing destination. Then priority one when docking is to get the fish on ice!

I had rockfish stay alive on my stringer for hours, not much to worry about until it dies. Worse case scenario is to make a quick pitstop to the vehicle, drop off the fish, stretch the legs and head back out.

[john from md]

I keep a cooler full of ice in the car and use a stringer for the fish. If you get them on ice right out of the water they are just fine.

John

[Jeff Little]

I have an old Precision Pak fish bag that I put ice in. It works well.

[Slobber Bob]

The fish clip or stringer is nice when I'm anchored or drifting and not moving around a lot. When I'm trolling or on the move, I'll have a cooler bag packed with a few frozen jugs stashed in the front hatch so I don't have to tow a stringer behind me all day or keep having to pull the srtinger in or throw it out every time I move spots.

[Goody]

I keep a cooler in the car to put them in when I get in. While out on the water, I use a stringer.

[ILV2F5H]

For all the stringer users. What if the fish dies and the water temp is warm? Make an effort to get back to the car so we can get it on ice?

[Pinch]

I use the hobie hatch liner with frozen water bottles in it.

[FishAholic929]

I have a 26qt cooler that fits behind my milk crate, too big to fit in it, well I'd probably just call it a day if it was that good....

[john from md]

If I go further than a mile from JG or out to the rock piles on the BB, I take a insulated bag filled with ice. If I just want one 20 inch rock for dinner, I just catch it and head for the car.

I always fish first thing in the morning and am usually out of the water by 10. I also only take what me and my wife can eat that night. Die offs have never been an issue.

John

[dsiekman]

I typically fish near my launch. After I get a keeper I bleed it out, toss it in, and head for the beach.