Turtle Fishing/Hunting

[keystoneman 85]

This is also somewhat of an older post (last summer) but I figured I'd throw it up in case anyone else here is interested, or does fish for turtles.


Hey guys, well this year I finally got out on my first snapper trapping experience. And boy what a time it was. I’ll start by explaining what kind of gear was used. The overall experience was relatively cheap.

• 50 lb test mono fishing line (used for the main line on the set lines) – 2.28

• (6) 45lb rated steel leaders (used to tie the main line and the hook) – 2.26

• Rubber mallet with stake remover (pound stakes in ground and remove) – 1.96

• Tent stakes (6) – 2.77

• The fish hooks we used were my buddies (kingfisher) – Free

• Beef liver – 2.10


So to total it up we spent $11.37 on our first trip out. That’s cheaper then going to a movie and most of the stuff above can be reused!

We decided on our local lake, Speedwell Forge Lake in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Upon arrival (6:15 PM) we decided we would put out groups of 2 set lines. This would make checking the traps easier as we would only need to go to 3 parts of the lake and not 6. The first spot we decided to put 2 set lines is a popular fishing cove called Mousman’s Cove (sp?).

Here is what our stake looks like in the ground (note: That it is required to have a tag with each of your set lines. The tag must include your name, address, and phone number. What I used for my tags were return address stickers that magazines and schools constantly send you in the mail. They were perfect they are small and already had my name and address on them, the last part was just writing my number on each with a pen.)


Location of the first set line


Location of the second set line


After setting the above two lines out we headed to our second spot which is off of a parking lot at the north end of the lake. We walked further north and anchored our set lines beside some downed tress in the water. Jumping back in the truck we sped off to the south end of the lake toward the dam/spillway. We set two more set lines off of a rock wall above the dam in some pretty deep water.

Kingfisher tying the lines to the stakes.


Here is an example of the size hook we used (has to be 3.5” in PA) with some beef liver.


Also, the birds nest of 50 lb mono we used as our main lines.


Before returning home we decided to go back to spot number one and check the traps. Since we have never done this before we were not sure how well the bait would hold or even how long it would take to get a turtle. Its now about 7:20 PM. The first line was mine to check I grabbed the 50 lb. test line and started to pull in. Instant tension, I was exited! Nothing budged after a few short pulls I asked kingfisher to give it a try. Same thing … at this point we are thinking that we may have a turtle and he might have run up under the bank or around some fallen trees. Kingfisher being the good guy that he is volunteers to walk out in the water and follow the line. No more then 5 yards off the bank he finds the hook, totally clean and stuck under a pile of rocks. Something took the bait and moved our hook, was it a turtle or some pesky catfish?

Time to check the second set line in our first location. This line was draping over a bunch of brush. As we approached I decided to let kingfisher check this one. Before he got to the stake I uttered “I think I just saw the brush move”. Stopping we stared at the brush for a few seconds until it started to move again. At this point I can say I am very excited. As we approached the set line kingfisher tells me I can check the line. I grab the line and start pulling in. Again dead weight at first, but then the line starts to come in as easy as if I were reeling in a small sunfish. The turtle walked in with the tension. Finally we have the beast on the ground. The rush of seeing this snapper staring at us, hissing, spitting, and chomping was next to nothing.

Snapper


After admiring it for awhile we loaded it into a blue plastic tote and headed home. It was dark and the other 4 set lines will need to wait until later today to be cheked.

Snapper in the tote


All in all it was a productive first night and I can't wait to get out check the other traps and set some more. The turtle we have now will need to live in the tote for close to a week, constant water change is necessary. Right now the water is dark as mud from the turtle. Changing the water until it stays as clear as tap water is essential to purify the turtle. After this is completed it will need to be beheaded, hung upside down for a few hours to bleed out, and then the butchering comes into play. The neck, tail, and legs are the main meat producers. The inside will be taken out and the shell removed and polished for mounting. As we go about this process I will continue to document it from the purification, to the butchering, to the table.



.... Well I didn't quite have time to document the rest of the process after the fact. The purification process isn't 100% necessary but we went with it, we kept it in a trashcan filled with water, and fed him lettuce and fish. Everyday we would change the water, we did this until it ran clear. This helps to clean all the mud out from inside the turtle. After that we butchered the turtle and removed the fat from the meat. We did clean up the shell and polish it, then we made a clock out of it and it resides out in my garage. The turtle soup and nuggets were amazing!

ps - We have been out a few more times since this first experience and have about another 6-8 snappers under out belts. A fun and easy fishing trip during those hot summer months!

[Karl/PA]

Fascinating. Keep us posted on progress, OK?

[keystoneman 85]

The story above was from last season, I haven't got out much this year but the next time I'm out and have some luck I'll get more pics of the cleaning process.

For those interested here is a picture of the clock we made:




And here is a recipe for the turtle nuggets and soup:

BATTER FRIED TURTLE
Soak turtle meat in cold salt water about an hour. Drain, add fresh water to cover and add 1/2 teaspoon soda. Simmer until nearly done (or pressure cook 20 minutes at 10 pounds with salt water, not soda). Remove from juice and wash in cool water, debone it and set aside.

Make a thin batter of 1 1/2 cup pancake mix, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and water. Coat pieces of meat in batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. Handle with tongs and meat does not come loose from batter. Enjoy your "Turtle McNuggets" with ketchup or hot sauce.


TURTLE SOUP

1 to 2 lbs. turtle meat
1/4 c. dry sherry wine (optional)
2 tsp. instant, minced onion
2 carrots, sliced
1/8 tsp. dried basil
Salt
2 c. water
2 celery stalks cut into pieces
8 sm. unpeeled redskinned potatoes, halved

Salt turtle meat well and place in your slow cooking pot. Add all other ingredients in order given. Then cover and cook on low heat for 6 or 7 hours or until turtle meat is tender. Remove turtle meat from to and cut into bite size pieces. Return meat to slow cooking pot, cover, and continue to cook on low heat for an additional 2 hours or until vegetables are done.

[soup]

I've been wanting to get out and do this for some time now but somehow I manage to convince myself I don't know what I'm doing and leave it at that until the next time it pops in my head.

I really should get out there and just do it... I caught one a few weeks ago while fishing for crappie. It took the fish I had caught. I didn't know what to do with it as I didn't have anything to take it home in so I left it go.

[keystoneman 85]

Season is July 1st to Oct 31. If ya do catch one ya need something to put them in, don't just try to throw them in the bed of a truck, they can and will climb right on out over the side. Something very tall or something with a lid should do it.

Obviously be careful when handling them, approach from the rear and pick up by the base of the tail, hold arms length away from you, lol. Of course you can also drag them into whatever container you have but what fun is that? (ps, that's what I did on my first but after that I realized if I'm going to continue doing this I better learn to pick them up).

[apocalypticpyro]

i bought some turtle hooks, 50lb test mono and 45lb leader today and set out three baited with chicken liver ill let you know tomorrow after im done dove hunting. i hope i catch one. i put them out at yellow creek

[Yellowfin]

Very cool! I'll have to do this sometime in the near future. My wife loves turtle soup and in fact that was the very first thing we ate together. Thanks for reminding me!

[keystoneman 85]

i bought some turtle hooks, 50lb test mono and 45lb leader today and set out three baited with chicken liver ill let you know tomorrow after im done dove hunting. i hope i catch one. i put them out at yellow creek

Awesome, if the liver doesn't work (might get picked clean by channel cats) try some beef liver, cow tongue, groundhog, anything that will take some more effort to take off the hook.

[Yellowfin]

Cow tongue is too good to waste as bait. While a little time consuming to cook, it's every bit as good as tenderloin when done correctly and makes the best tacos you can possibly find. I use a recipe I looked up a long time ago that involves boiling it with a whole bundle of cilantro, peppercorns, hot sauce, cloves, salt, and onion for 50 minutes per pound. Then you peel off the skin and cut it across the grain, making each bite fall apart easily in the mouth. Put it on soft tortillas and top with Mexican cheese, roasted tomatillo sauce or chipotle adobo sauce, onions, and cilantro.

[knight0334]

We use old chicken meat. We let sit out a couple days or so and get a bit rancid, them turtles(and catfish) cant resist it.