What are your guys' methods for keeping trout?

[JFlynn97]

I've never really been into fishing and keeping trout, but I plan on getting more into it this season so I'm looking for a bit of advice. 

 

Is it typically okay to put live trout (straight from the line after removing the hook) into a cooler packed with ice? Is it better to kill and gut them before putting them on ice? If so, whats the best way to kill them and gut/bleed them? I'd rather not keep them alive using a stringer, though if it's the best option I'll make do. 

 

I'm a newbie at this, so any and all help would be great! 

[desmobob]

The old timers bled them and put them in a wicker creel lined with ferns.  If I was planning on keeping trout while still being mobile, I think I'd pick a "polar creel" or small soft cooler and bring along a couple of small frozen water bottles to keep them cool

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Bluebasser86]

If I was going to keep them to eat, I'd gut them and put them on ice immediately after catching.

[slonezp]

A lot of guys cut the gills to bleed them and throw them on ice.

[TnRiver46]

Throwing them into a cooler of ice would be ideal. I’ve carried them around all day in a creel with no ice and they were still delicious 

[OCdockskipper]

To keep them fresh, I just put a hook in the back area by their tail, attach it to a rod with 20 lb test and let them meander about the lake.  Only problem is it seems that before I am ready to leave, they always metamorphosed from an 8" trout into a 8 lb bass.  Plus somehow, the hook moves from their tail to their mouth...

[UPSmallie]

If you are going to keep one I'd recommend bleeding it out in water or on ice.  Usually I'll run my fingers under the gills and rip a few and then throw it on the stringer and let it sit in the river I'm fishing.  They tend to taste pretty good this way.

[Bluebasser86]

On 3/12/2018 at 12:20 AM, OCdockskipper said:

To keep them fresh, I just put a hook in the back area by their tail, attach it to a rod with 20 lb test and let them meander about the lake.  Only problem is it seems that before I am ready to leave, they always metamorphosed from an 8" trout into a 8 lb bass.  Plus somehow, the hook moves from their tail to their mouth...

I prefer to chunk them up and turn them into big blue cats but to each their own 

[JustJames]

On 3/11/2018 at 10:20 PM, OCdockskipper said:

To keep them fresh, I just put a hook in the back area by their tail, attach it to a rod with 20 lb test and let them meander about the lake.  Only problem is it seems that before I am ready to leave, they always metamorphosed from an 8" trout into a 8 lb bass.  Plus somehow, the hook moves from their tail to their mouth...

That how anglers at DVL keep their trout, from what I've heard.