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SilverTundra4X4 · Horse Mullet Joined: 13 Nov 2012 Posts: 134

First off its not my first rodeo in shark fishing, matter of fact I've caught a dozen or so shark and have only eaten a 3'er so I didn't have this problem BUT Suppose I wanted to keep a 4' BT for table fare....

And my ice chest wasn't big enough .... Do the same rules apply for not being able to filet/quarter the fish on the beach apply as they would game fish? What's the most I can do legally?

For all the jokesters please don't say buy a bigger ice chest! Lol

What's the most humane way to dispatch a shark.... I've seen billy club between the eyes... Spike as well... My better judgment says bat between the eyes

Thoughts!?!?!?

FIDO · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:30 am Post subject:

I thought you were allowed to clean your fish before you left the beach as long as you were done fishing. Maybe I'm reading your question wrong but I think sharks are considered gamefish. I'm sure someone will more confidently answer on it. I'm confused now.
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SilverTundra4X4 · Horse Mullet Joined: 13 Nov 2012 Posts: 134

Fido-we are on the same train of thought ...

But I thought they were not gamefish and therefore the rule didn't apply and they could be gutted/quartered etc after taking.

I'll wait for some of the more seasoned shark fishermen to comment.

JohnnyReb - need some input brother ;P

BamaRed54 · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

RodBreaker · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:51 am Post subject:

Sharks are considered gamefish; however, you may remove the head or tail. And since PINS is a barrier island you may also filet or steak it if you want.

"In order to verify length and species, a fish caught may not have the head or tail removed and may not be filleted until an angler finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat. Broadbill swordfish, shark, and king mackerel may have the head or tail removed, but the carcass must remain intact and may not be filleted."

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/fish/general.phtml
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Central Scrutinizer · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:47 am Post subject:

cdhknives · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 03 Aug 2012 Posts: 297

..and when that stubborn game warden asks you to prove that fish is of a legal length...???

Be very careful. Adherance to the letter of the law is okay, but a little common sense goes a long way.
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Repoman911 · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:24 pm Post subject:

A 4' BT is well passed the minimum size. You could take the head and tail off and just measure the body and it would still be legal.

JOHNNYREB · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:48 pm Post subject:

Yep, what RB said...as far as the law goes anyways Laughing

I don't keep shark anymore but in the past I stick a knife right behind the head and cut off the tail while their still thrashing, this will bleed em out. Gut them, pack them in ice and water, and your good to go.

IMO, if your gonna keep a fish of that size, a 100 qt cooler or larger is a must
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et · Joined: 29 Aug 2012 Posts: 9

I agree with everyone here...if you have all of your equipment put away and are no longer fishing then it is legal to process into fillets or chunks. I personally just for ID reasons keep all the fins with the meat, not attached of course, just in case I am stopped by a GW the fish is easily identifiable. Mainly the anal fin just because that is the one key marker between an blacktip and a spinner, spinners have to be i believe 60" or 62"...whatever the larger bracket is.
As far as dispatching the catch usual method I use is to just cut the tail off and let it bleed itself out...that's how pigs and calfs are done in a slaughter house. Granted they are knocked out before this happens exept kosher...they are just prayed over.
Hope that helps

Big John · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 2647

Cut off tail, cut out gills, and gut, then let bleed for a few minutes.

Rinse in water to get sand off outside of fish. Then toss in cooler to process later. I never process at the beach because one good gust and you've got sand in everything, which will never completely wash out.

aggie007 · Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Rockport

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

If it smells like urea let it go as you will never get that taste out of it. The shark builds up a lot of it if you fight it too long. If it doesn't have that "shark smell" dispatch it quickly by cutting off the head and tail and removing that dark bloody patch along the spinal cord and it will taste great.
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eksda · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 288

i thought that in order to keep a shark they had to be at least 24 inches and you are allowed to keep one a day. also there are some species of shark that you cannot keep. we catch and release all that we get but when we are on the pier many people keep the little pups and some dont throw them back before they die. now i am confused but that is nothing new for me

et · Joined: 29 Aug 2012 Posts: 9

Blacktip, Atlantic sharpnose, and Bonnet heads are the only three you can keep over 24. Yes you can only keep one shark a day regardless of species or size. I know what you mean about some people on Bob Hall... was there the weekend the upwelling hit and saw 3-5 18 bonnet heads out of the water with tails missing. Makes me mad.