Fishing To Eat From The Shore

[tommyg]

I have never had much interest in fishing until I recently decided to fish to eat. I just finished my 3rd season deer hunting (decided to hunt to eat as well) and am ready to become a proficient fisherman. I don't own a boat and don't plan on buying one anytime soon. I have decided to try to set up a backpack rig to carry tackle and a soft cooler with an ice slurry. My thought is to be able to carry everything on my back so that I can navigate the shore and not have to drag a cooler and tackle with me. I have scoured the internet for any tips or others who have already experimented with different set ups.

Anyone out there ever tried this? I am looking to find different ideas for rigging up a cooler/tackle on my back that doesn't leak. Today I took a canoeing-type dry bag, filled it with an ice slurry, put that in a cooler bag, and stuffed it in my hiking backpack. Sure enough it still leaked.....luckily this was all equipment that I already owned. Sorry for the long post. Any ideas on fishing to eat from the shore would be appreciated.

[new2BC4bass]

In my youth we kept and ate any fish that was legal. However, we never did any hiking. Sure...we'd walk the shore some. Fish were put on stringers or in a bucket of water. Most times they were cleaned before we left the lake/pond. Sometimes we'd have an ice chest in the trunk of the car, sometimes not, depending on how far we were from home.

Since returning to fishing, I release my fish except when visiting relatives in Florida. Not that fond of cleaning a fish these days, but still enjoy the occasional fish fry.

Afraid I can't help you. Doubt you will find many here that opt for eating what they catch on a regular basis. At least not the bass.

However, I am going to try and get my grandsons out this year where trout get stocked locally. It is a put-and-take situation. These I would keep. Hoping to get my grandsons into a situation where they can catch quite a few fish thereby gaining a couple fishing partners.

I do hope that someone can reply with a couple decent options for your situation.

[NorcalBassin]

Not sure of the area you're fishing, but here in CA most people that harvest just use a stringer and keep the fish in the water until it's time to go. Then they clean the fish at the boat ramp station and put them in an ice chest waiting in the car/truck.

[RyneB]

I refuse to kill a bass. Having said that, id suggest a few freezer bags with ice in them in a back pack. Then throw the fish in the freezer bags. Just be prepared when the bags melt that you have ice water drip down your back. I know this from when i keep water bottles cold when i wade a small stream on 100 degree days

[200racing]

Not sure of the area you're fishing, but here in CA most people that harvest just use a stringer and keep the fish in the water until it's time to go. Then they clean the fish at the boat ramp station and put them in an ice chest waiting in the car/truck.

probably the best solution right there. this is what me and my B.I.L. do at a few spots we bank fish.

[Pond fisher]

Bass Pro has a backpack type tackle bag which holds several plastic lure boxes. It also has a compartment for a small cooler (not sure if it is included or not). And there may be a couple of rod holders attached to the bag. Give it a look.

Ken

[tommyg]

Thanks for the responses. I have actually just purchased a Polar Bear cooler bag ($40). It's a little more than I wanted to spend but the reviews were great and if it is really "leak proof" then it's exactly what I'm looking for. I will try to post an update once I receive and test it out in case anyone is interested.

I'm not interested in a stringer because I believe a 'quick kill' is more humane and have actually read that immediate killing and icing is the best way to preserve the fish. Also, I would like to be as mobile as possible so I don't want to drag a stringer along with me.

I'm interested in why some people are so against fishing for bass for food. I actually just read an article on this site that discusses negative consequences for long-term catch and release practices in lakes. http://www.bassresou...lease_bass.html

Here are a few reasons why I choose to fish to eat and not purely for sport:

1. Fish are a very good source of omega 3 (especially bass), and it's getting harder and harder to find good fish that's not potentially contaminated.

2. Eating local fish is a good way to not rely on imported products.

3. I have been very proud to become more self-sufficient by hunting deer and now hopefully catching my own fish for my family and I to eat.

Don't worry, though, I don't plan on filleting a 5+ lb. bass. I believe the monsters deserve some respect.

Fishing Southern Indiana, btw.

[ChrisAW]

Thanks for the responses. I have actually just purchased a Polar Bear cooler bag ($40). It's a little more than I wanted to spend but the reviews were great and if it is really "leak proof" then it's exactly what I'm looking for. I will try to post an update once I receive and test it out in case anyone is interested.

I'm not interested in a stringer because I believe a 'quick kill' is more humane and have actually read that immediate killing and icing is the best way to preserve the fish. Also, I would like to be as mobile as possible so I don't want to drag a stringer along with me.

I'm interested in why some people are so against fishing for bass for food. I actually just read an article on this site that discusses negative consequences for long-term catch and release practices in lakes. http://www.bassresou...lease_bass.html

Here are a few reasons why I choose to fish to eat and not purely for sport:

1. Fish are a very good source of omega 3 (especially bass), and it's getting harder and harder to find good fish that's not potentially contaminated.

2. Eating local fish is a good way to not rely on imported products.

3. I have been very proud to become more self-sufficient by hunting deer and now hopefully catching my own fish for my family and I to eat.

Don't worry, though, I don't plan on filleting a 5+ lb. bass. I believe the monsters deserve some respect.

Fishing Southern Indiana, btw.

I'd say the main reason why most don't keep Bass is because there are just better tasting fish in the waters to be caught and eaten.

[smac024]

people are against it mostly when its done in large quantities on a consistent basis. In such a case it can really hurt the bass population, mostly speaking on smaller bodies of water (small reservoirs, ponds etc) Secondly, especially this time of year (spawn) I see no justification for someone trying to keep a big female bass 5+ lber for a simple meal) If you go to a stream,river etc up north the same views can be said about trout fishing. While those up there hate the bass they will look down on anyone keeping trout. (vise versa in many other places, especially where there are trout being stocked and not wild)

Moderation is key. Hope this helps, I know it was a bit of a rant.

[Packard]

I have no problem with fisherman who keep fish LEGALLY. If it is done lawfully then I see no need to judge their lifestyle and wouldn't want them to judge me because I practice catch-and-release.

[tomustang]

Cabelas also has a backpack with a separate cooler compartment. Best advice for you is to fillet right after you catch and throw it in the bag.

[SirSnookalot]

Your fishing license allows you to keep a legally caught fish, whether you eat or release it, it's your business. I personally release freshwater fish in Florida, that was not always the case when I lived in Michigan. walleye, trout, salmon quite often found our table. My dad also owned a fish market, we ate a lot fish, I cleaned so many I got tired of it and eating fish too.

Living in a coastal area just about everyone has a cooler with them, we keep quite a few of the species. I personally do not keep snook, some people love to eat them and I don't. Snook are my bass, I release them all to catch another day, gimme a redfish and I'm gonna keep that sucker.

[Marty]

I'm interested in why some people are so against fishing for bass for food.

Many of us have been conditioned to release bass because catch-and-release has gotten so much exposure. And many, including yours truly, have no desire to keep a bass even if it was good practice for a particular body of water. And as was alluded to above, keeping bass, even legally, can absolutely ruin a small body of water. Unfortunately, I've seen it happen to more than one formerly good pond.

[Bass-minded]

It all depends an the three magic words in realty: location, location, location. Are you miles from home( or your truck) or are you fishing your neighbors pond ( I do that).