Best Swordfish Cleaning Technique?

fishensticker · 10-15-2006, 11:22 PM

Swords' dimensions don't make the keepers very easy to store in most coolers without gutting and cutting them.

Have there been any posts (detailed photos or video) on the best methods for cleaning swords ? Also, is it recommended that they be bled?

JupiterSailfish · 10-16-2006, 07:48 AM

Talk to Beerman about that one :lol:

e-money · 10-16-2006, 10:42 AM

Beerman wrote the book.

IMO Swords do not need to be bled (primarily used for Tunas.)
If you are concerened about spoiling, you can gut / pack belly w ice.

1)Whenever possible, we like to brush the slime off the skin.
(some guys use a "slime" knife on belly meat as well.)

2)In my experience it is MUCH easier to steak a fish after it has been well iced. Sometimes we "quarter" a fish, Ice down in 120 quart Igloo & steak in the AM.

3)Once you fillet the meat off the fish & cut to desired thickness, had to grill !!

fishensticker · 10-16-2006, 10:58 AM

How do we get Beerman to impart his swordfish cleaning wisdom upon us :???:

Would the name, "Beerman" be a good clue :lol:

Verado06 · 10-16-2006, 11:15 AM

I'll try to get some video for you guys next time we catch and filet one...

Are we aloud to dress a fish out at sea? We have in the past to make room in the fish box if we are staying out all night and the next day.... Otherwise we leave it on the deck.

swordstalker · 10-16-2006, 12:04 PM

This article should help you out:

http://www.spc.int/coastfish/News/Fi.../Swordfish.htm

Uncle Buck · 10-16-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verado06

Are we aloud to dress a fish out at sea? We have in the past to make room in the fish box if we are staying out all night and the next day.... Otherwise we leave it on the deck.

Yes. There are 2 other ways to legally measure a swordfish that has been headed and gutted.

1. Minimum dressed plug weight of 33lbs
2. Minimum length of 29" from cleithrum (gill plate opening) to back edge of the keel (the triangular protrusions at the base of the tail)

Swordstalker... great article!

Fuzzy Details · 10-16-2006, 01:00 PM

Large Kingfish bags help ice the fish down instead of just laying it on the deck. You can at least get the main body in the bag and tie the handles together if its too big for the zipper to partially close.

quack quack · 10-16-2006, 01:53 PM

Hopefully there will be a sword cleaning demo on the 201 trip

10-15-2006, 11:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
fishensticker Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Naples, FL Boat: 39 Topaz Royale Best Catch: everything pelagic Occupation: Lawyer Posts: 71	Best Swordfish Cleaning Technique? Swords' dimensions don't make the keepers very easy to store in most coolers without gutting and cutting them. Have there been any posts (detailed photos or video) on the best methods for cleaning swords ? Also, is it recommended that they be bled?

10-16-2006, 10:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
e-money Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Palm Beach Boat: Swordfish / wahoo/ muttons Occupation: Sales Posts: 333	Beerman wrote the book. IMO Swords do not need to be bled (primarily used for Tunas.) If you are concerened about spoiling, you can gut / pack belly w ice. 1)Whenever possible, we like to brush the slime off the skin. (some guys use a "slime" knife on belly meat as well.) 2)In my experience it is MUCH easier to steak a fish after it has been well iced. Sometimes we "quarter" a fish, Ice down in 120 quart Igloo & steak in the AM. 3)Once you fillet the meat off the fish & cut to desired thickness, had to grill !! __________________ Swordfish Guide on your vessel for Palm Beach County Darkside trips ! eric@transparent-technology.com

10-16-2006, 01:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	Hopefully there will be a sword cleaning demo on the 201 trip __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

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10-16-2006, 07:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
JupiterSailfish Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Best Catch: 170lb Swordy - Tag Teamed it Posts: 579	Talk to Beerman about that one :lol:

10-16-2006, 10:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
fishensticker Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Naples, FL Boat: 39 Topaz Royale Best Catch: everything pelagic Occupation: Lawyer Posts: 71	How do we get Beerman to impart his swordfish cleaning wisdom upon us :???: Would the name, "Beerman" be a good clue :lol:

10-16-2006, 11:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Verado06 Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Miami and New Orleans Posts: 484	I'll try to get some video for you guys next time we catch and filet one... Are we aloud to dress a fish out at sea? We have in the past to make room in the fish box if we are staying out all night and the next day.... Otherwise we leave it on the deck.

10-16-2006, 12:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
swordstalker Hooked Up Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Deerfield Beach, FL Boat: 36 Yellowfin "Nauti Girl" Best Catch: My Wife Occupation: Self Employed Posts: 384	This article should help you out: http://www.spc.int/coastfish/News/Fi.../Swordfish.htm

10-16-2006, 01:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fuzzy Details Lines In Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: S. FLA & Pine Island Boat: 29 SeaVee and 22 Pathfinder Occupation: Avionics Engineer Posts: 68	Large Kingfish bags help ice the fish down instead of just laying it on the deck. You can at least get the main body in the bag and tie the handles together if its too big for the zipper to partially close.

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