“?Game fish must be landed with head and tail fin intact”
So, the remains of a filleted fish are OK as long as the head and tail are still one piece?
I am putting a grill on my boat. Mostly, I plan on using it for burgers or hot dogs while trolling in the evening/nighttime during the summer months, but also may occasionally slap a striper on the grill if it’s legal to do so.
I’ve always heard it was illegal to clean one on the boat, but if I’m reading this right, it sounds to me like it would be OK to filet one and hang on to the remains as long as they are in one piece?
Technically the head and tail are intact on the carcass so your good there BUT head and tail are not intact on the filets. No way to PROVE they came off that fish. Even if they do match
Probably only a real issue if u get a punk for a dnr officer. Most i have delt with would have been ok.
Safest way is to “bring some fish from home” that way there is “no carcass”.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
During June, July, August, and September, there shouldn’t be an issue there since measurements don’t matter. As long as the head and tail are intact on the carcass, you would be complying with the letter of the law. However, I would call the DNR to verify. My .02.
Got to thinking about this after you guys mentioned saying I brought the fish with me.
I was so enamored with the idea of being able to catch a fish and throw it straight onto the grill, I honestly never even thought about just taking some out with me. It doesn’t make any sense to make a mess cleaning one on the boat while trying to fish when I can just keep some from a previous trip all cleaned and ready to grill. Especially since that time of year I normally fish 2-3 eves a week anyway.
Have had a grill on my big boat for 10 or more years and use it all the time! Have cooked lobster and groper in the keys, red fish in the sound catfish on Santee and striper/hybred on Hartwell and Clark Hill, I think once you have eaten the flesh you dont need to keep the carcass, altho I was ticketed one time in St Helena sound for having a black tip shark in the box with out a head. Thankfully it was a warning, nice guy! If the man comes up offer him a serving!
