What do I do once I catch a fish?

Question

I am new to fishing. Once I catch my first fish, do I need to put it in water, throw it on ice, or just rush home to cook it? I would like to cook my catch, as long as I know the correct way to do this from catch to dinner table.

Answer 1

Keep it cool, clean it (how you do this depends on the type and size of the fish), and take it home. Putting it on ice is best. You can keep it in the fridge for a day or two, but eating it fresh is best.

As for cooking, there are dozens of ways. Get a fish cookbook or search online for "fish recipes" (or "trout recipes" or whatever depending on the type of fish).

If there are other people at the lake/landing/wherever who you can ask, get recipe ideas from them, and maybe they'll give you tips on cleaning (scaling and gutting or filleting or whatever) as well.

Answer 2

Well, first figure out what you have and how big it is and your local size restrictions (I know a lot of people don't like them, but it really is for the resource... I'd rather throw back an undersized so it can grow up and oversize so they can make more undersizeds...) Then take it home (Or to a friend's house who can clean it for you...) my usual plan involves either taking it to a friend's house for her husband to fillet (I'm no good at it.) or if he's not home, I simply gut it as quickly as possible after catching... degill, dehead (depending on mood and what I'm doing with it...) I like to take a nice trout, gut it, clean it, stuff it with onion, garlic, peppers, herbs, spices, whatever and either put it on the grill or smoker or in the oven... I can't say how long because I never know... until it's done... you gotta pick bones, but you get so much more meat. fish with heavy scales, if cooked whole can be smeared with mayo or butter (get it under the scales...) and the skin will come right off when the fish is cooked (this can also be used if you don't want to skin fillets...) Marinate fish in whatever... just remember that if it's acidic (vinegar or citrus juices, garlicy etc) it will cook... Italian dressing is a good simple marinade, or even some olive oil, salt, garlic, rosemary, basil.... grrr what else went in there.... oh well... you get the idea... experiment, just don't overcook.

Answer 3

Admire what God has given you.Decide if it will be enough for a meal.then ask someone who knows how to clean it .Find a easy recipe and enjoy! I know many people who do not like to eat fish but like to fish the choice is yours.

Answer 4

i like to fish. My dad might take us fishing each and each of the time , then I marries a guy that likes to fish. I certainly have been fishing for years and not become uninterested in it. i like saltwater fishing the main. I certainly have out fished my husband many circumstances.

Answer 5

hi you can put the fish in water or on ice in a cooler. in the south we mix half flour and half corn meal you salt the fish and put your corn meal and flour in a bag put your fish in here shake it up and put the fish in hot grease and fry. cleaning your fish if it is a big fish you can fillet it and if its small you will have to descale the fish cut the head off clean out the insides and corn meal flour and fry

Answer 6

If it is less then 10 cm, throw back in the sea. larger then this put it in the chillibin. go home clean it and cook it.

Answer 7

keep the fish fresh in water or on ice ,look in any cookbook on the way to prepare your dinner

Answer 8

put it on ice and eat it that day dont expect to clean it and cook it a week later

Answer 9

If it's big enough throw it in a live well or panfish net so it'll live for awhile, take it home fillet it, wash it, fry it. MMMMMMMM fried Blue gill, tasty.

Answer 10

Remove hook, measure, then either throw back or keep. If you keep gut it, clean it, then cook it