Great White Sharks Eating Me

specifically - is it a bad idea to bleed your fish if the blood is going into the water?  or is that not really enough blood to make a difference.

I've said it plenty of times on this forum and in clinics and while some may get tired of me harping on it, I think it's an important point to make.  I try to avoid bleeding fish into the water as much as I can.  For all my rockfish and lingcod, I bleed them into a catch cooler bag.  When it comes to bigger fish, I may have to bleed them into the water, but I'm moving after that.  I'm a big fan of not drawing attention to myself from the marine life, whether it is sharks or stellars or whatever.

Thanks for the laughs and the good info.  I particularly like the idea for carry a rape whistle!!!  That one is still making me laugh.  Splitting up the gear comments were funny to... maybe that is what the whistle is for... to alert other kayakers near me that after a few minutes my gear will be available.  I think I will just figure out a way to bleed the fish without letting the blood int he water and remain safe.  Anyone just use a tub on the rear area of the kayak... think higher side and no drain holes... then the existing well.

Thanks for the laughs and the good info.  I particularly like the idea for carry a rape whistle!!!  That one is still making me laugh.  Splitting up the gear comments were funny to... maybe that is what the whistle is for... to alert other kayakers near me that after a few minutes my gear will be available.  I think I will just figure out a way to bleed the fish without letting the blood int he water and remain safe.  Anyone just use a tub on the rear area of the kayak... think higher side and no drain holes... then the existing well.

I picked up a really big dry bag from Andy & Bax in Portland for under $20.  I use it to bleed my fish in to, and to keep my fish cool.  I toss a couple Gatorade bottles with frozen water inside, and they do a great job! 

Plenty of room for a 5-gal bucket behind my milk crate.  That'l work for the smaller rockfish and greenlings. I like Insayn's idea of a large dry bag with ice. I wonder if a wet white towel draped over it would provide some additional evaporation chilling.

My dry bag is bright yellow, and doesn't attract any of the sun's heat.  No need to add additional cooling efforts.

My thoughts on the Landlord, Blood will attract them if they are around and hungry.  I still bleed them occasionally into the water, but I know I'm taking a risk.  I like the cooler bleed, or bag idea.  You are in their domain in the Ocean, there are no signs, fences, barricades and they follow the food.  The Chain goes like this...Bait fish, game fish, predatory mammals, The Landlord.  You are in the mammal category.  The odds are against you being lunch, but you are in that category.

You could always TRY to get the sharks before the Sharks get you..   I use to live in the Deep south and we had Sharks and Barracuda's in the Salt and Gator's all over. If your Ment to be eaten Something's Always Willing to Do it. Now you Know How the Fish feel..