Turtles
 

I read the snake hunt thread and was wondering if ya'll catch turtles to eat. I got 3 last year that were eating size. One was 23lbs, one was 22.5lbs, and one was around 16lbs. The rest were under 15lbs and I threw them back.

RE: Turtles
 

No turtle eaters?

MMMM-turtle on the halfshell!

RE: Turtles
 

I've caught quite a few turtles. I usually give them to other people that wanted them and didn't eat them myself. The heaviest one I've caught was over 40 lbs.

RE: Turtles
 

Yea, Ive got a few. Usually while cat fishin with livers or other parts. Just a bonus to gettin a stringer of catfish! If I see a bigger snapper Ill pitch a piece of somethin or a bluegill to it to get a hook in it. I was contemplating trying to jug some.
Like, find the holes they have in the bank and set a jug with meat or a minnow on it. Does that sound like it would work if I used a wire or a leader or something?

RE: Turtles
 

That does work. Clorox jugs work well. You can also catch some large catfish on it.

RE: Turtles
 

Turtle is tasty, but you SHOULD NOT eat the big ones. They accumulate too much toxins and chemicals in the meat because they've lived so long. a 30-40 lb snapper might be 100 years old!

Also, you should let the big ones go if you want to have turtles around for awhile. Snappers don't breed untill theyve reached 15-20 years of age. by killing the big ones and throwing back the smaller(tastier!) ones, you can really do a number on the breeding stock. (plus, i have this thing about killing anything older than i am);)
good luck!
moose

RE: Turtles
 

Moose is right 20lbs is my max. The meat tastes odd. Anything over 20lbs and I throw it back.
I like to catch them while they feed. Get in a jon boat and when you see a tail in the water grab it. It's loads of fun provided you don't tip over.;)

RE: Turtles
 

ive got a picture on the wall of my bar, i grabbed a BIG one (crocodile hunter style) out of the hudson river last year. she was about 35lbs and in 2 feet of water on a tidal flat. i had to run out about 30 yards to grab her. my kids were loving it! ( i was doing the Aussie accent while doing it):Dwe checked her out (she was full of eggs) and let her go to make more turtles. if i can find someone with a scanner i'll post the pic. it was pretty cool.
-moose

RE: Turtles
 

heres that pic, it is a bit poor quality,( it's a pic of a pic) but you can see the size of her...

RE: Turtles
 

G'day mate! LOL. I bet your kids did love it. Nice snapper!