Regardless of size I've never had a piece of fresh dolphin I didn't like. We always skin em like in the pic. Then cut the meat out and cut out the bloodline and red meat that was next to the skin - kinda like double filleting. Belly definitely make nice durable strip baits for flounder when we don't have flounder belly. Holds up real good to multiple bites and unsolicited attacks by Mr. Crabby.
I don't blame you for being bummed about losing the big on that way. On my first offshore trip on my V out of Hatteras, NC I was on the gaff when the first 12 lber came to the side. I wiffed about 3 times and the hook pulled. I was totally bummed out for about 10 minutes until the next one hit.
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1994 Wellcraft V21
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