July'01
I really have not talked about what to do with your catch once you return from a long range trip. The main reason for not discussing this is that I usually do not bring back a large amount of fish. On the average I only keep 3 to 6 fish from a trip. Why so little? Well I am lazy. I do not want to spend the whole day cleaning fish. In past years the long range boats would take care of those duties but no more.
Before we get into what to do with your fish, let discuss what you are allowed to bring home from Mexican waters. Let me first say that I am not going to preach to you right and wrong just what the law says. It is up to the individual to follow the regulations however they see fit. First the day limit, (i.e. 24 hours) 10 fish total with no more than 5 of anyone species, with the exception for billfish which in only 1 fish and dorado which is 2 fish a day. If you happen to catch 2 Dorado, that will count the same as catching a day limit of five fish. With a billfish, 1 billfish will count the same a day limit of 5 fish as well.
For multi day trips (3 days or longer) you are allowed to keep three times the day limit of fish. So 30 fish total with no more that 15 fish of anyone species with a couple of exceptions like Billfish and Dorado. Please remember the conversion factor when keeping Billfish (1 Billfish = 5 fish) and Dorado (1 Dorado = 2.5 fish).
Many anglers do not fully understand these limits, but to me it seems very straightforward. The Mexican tourist industry relies on Billfish and Dorado to make up the major draw for fishermen. And well the long range has always been targeted at tuna, yellowtail or wahoo so it also works out for them. Both sides come out fine with these regulations. So please keep these regulations in mind the next time you go long range fishing.
So what to do with your fish? First off, if you enjoy eating fish, then by all means eat some of your fish while on your trip. Fresh caught fish is always tastes better on the boat. The one fish that this holds true for the most is Dorado. Dorado just by their shape does not “survive” well in the fish holds. How about grilled Dorado, wahoo enchiladas or sweet and sour yellowtail for dinner? If, you are a sashimi lover have one of your tuna prepared by the chef for an afternoon sashimi and sushi plate for the passengers. There is more to long range fishing than just fishing.
But what do you do back in San Diego? Well there are several options. You can arrange to donate your catch to charity. You maybe even get a small tax break by doing this. Just inform the boat before you return that you want to donate your catch to charity and they will arrange the rest.
You can “trade” you catch for processed fish. You give them the whole fish and the processors will “trade” you for fillets. There is a fee involved. I will make mention that if the processors do not have enough fish to trade with you when you return from your trip if make take away for you to get your fish. If you don’t want to wait, trade for what they have on hand and take the rest home. Cleaning fish is not a difficult task just a time consuming and messy one.
If you do not want to clean any fish, or drive home with frozen fillets then there always smoked or canned fish also. Trading for smoked is similar to trading for fillets. I do recommend that you taste the processors sample first before trading. You many not like the style of their smoking.
The final option is trading for cans of tuna. The ratio for pounds of whole fish to cans of tuna varies with the going rate for the species you are trading in. Usually you can get the best rate for trading albacore tuna. The can of tuna you receive in the trade will be albacore, which is the highest grade of can tuna. The one good thing about trading in for cans, it that they make great gifts for friends.
Once you return home you have to store your fish. If you have a vacuum packer please use it. With a clean dry paper towel, pat your fillets dry, and then vacuum seal them. Vacuum-sealed fish can last for a year and still retain its wonderful flavor. Freezing fish in zip lock bags will have a short life span, a month or two. Zip lock bags do not protect against freezer burn. Freezer burn will turn that great catch into frozen cardboard and leave you with, “crab bait”.
I hope you some ideas now for your next catch.