cleaning fish
 

Question ,are we allowed to partially filet our catch? For instance leaving the fluke filets connected to the rack and then finishing the job in our marina. Just trying to speed up our exit and avoid the broiling sun while cleaning fish. Thanks,Jim

Re: cleaning fish
 

You need a filet at sea permit to filet fish at sea and those permits are only issued to Coast Guard inspected vessel. Having said that I would assume that the DEP wouldn’t issue you a summons if the fillets were still attached to the racks.

Re: cleaning fish
 

From the 2018 NJ Marine Digest
Filleting The filleting at sea of all fish with a size limit, or any species of flatfish, is prohibited except for summer flounder; see Summer Flounder, page 17. Anglers shall possess no parts of any fish caught on a previous fishing trip. Party boats may fillet fish at sea if they obtain a Special Fillet Permit. Applications
Anglers may fillet one legal-sized summer flounder from their daily possession limit catch for use as bait. This carcass, commonly known as the rack, shall be kept intact so it can be measured for compliance with the minimum size limit. Anglers shall not be in possession of any parts of any summer flounder caught on a previous fishing trip; only fish just caught on the current outing.

Re: cleaning fish
 

you're allowed to filet 1 legal sized fluke per person limit (Anglers may fillet one legal-sized summer flounder from their daily possession limit catch for use as bait. This carcass, commonly known as the rack, shall be kept intact so it can be measured for compliance with the minimum size limit. Anglers shall not be in possession of any parts of any summer flounder caught on a previous fishing trip; only fish just caught on the current outing.)

Hope that helps

Re: cleaning fish
 

I keep the white skin and the strip of the filet along the fins for the next trip out for bait. Do you think they would harass me over that?

Re: cleaning fish
 

YES. You must have a legal size rack on board to match the ribbons.

Re: cleaning fish
 

The inspecting Officer told me the fine would be $50 a ribbon if a NJ Fish and Game Warden finds any on your boat. Except the ones matching the rack you retained.

Re: cleaning fish
 

Thanks for the reply, That really stinks. That's a little over kill. I guess I'll keep one rack next time to go with the ribbons

Re: cleaning fish
 

With all the problems in the World...God forbid you get caught with a Frigging Fluke skin for bait with-out the rack. WTF have we become....rules are rules but it has gone beyond reality anymore.
Seems they really believe the old saying that "All Fishermen" are liars!:mad:

$50 for a Ribbon, that's some bullshit right there. Forget using it for bait, save them and sell them to the Sushi place, they charge big $$$$ for them!!!

Re: cleaning fish
 

Just another little twist on the Non cleaning of fish at sea, I understand the size limit issue. But now we have tons of biomass that could go back into the ecosystem , instead we fill the landfills with the dead racks. So much for feeding the crabs and bait fish.