A few weeks ago we got into a good Sturgeon bite which resulted in two keepers hanging over the side of the boat right away. I quickly stuck a knife thru their hearts resulting in a plume of blood downstream. The bite ended! About 45 minutes later it turned on again.

Do you need to contain the blood in your boat or is it just coincidence that it seemed to spook the fish?

The quality of meat is certainly better if bled.