Proper Killing

[arcvrist]

So i caught my largest bass today, somewhere just under a pound. I took it home and had a hard time deciding on the best way to kill it. Im aware of a vein behind the gills but never had any practice with that. I ended up cutting the head off as quick as I could with my 10" chef knife. Im wondering how you guys go about it. I also saw a technique for brain spiking on youtube, but not sure if that works on smaller fish.

Thanks

 

[littledavid123]

I knife in the brain and a slight twist, if done right you get a single tail flop and its over.

Dave

 

[arcvrist]

Ok, thanks dave, next time ill try that.

 

[two_nymph_rig]

If I plan on keeping a fish for the dinner plate, I just give it a sharp blow with a stick on top of the head. usually just get a few flops and it's over.

 

[mbphotos54]

i try to keep fish alive till time to fillet.. over in Germany I got this tiny lil baseball bat for wacking fish on the head,, it was mandatory at the pay lake,, Though.. I am guilty of having a flopping fish half way filleted... but thats been along time. I rarly keep fish.
Mike

 

[chauncey]

ive actually had small catfish jump out of the grease because they were so fresh when they were put in

 

[Rip Tide]

I got this tiny lil baseball bat for wacking fish on the head,,

That's called a "priest". I don't even want to know why

 

[mbphotos54]

That's called a "priest". I don't even want to know why

we just call it a whacker hahah. down use it much anymore..

 

[Guest1]

Cutting the head off might make filleting a tad harder. I just bang them on the noggin and put them in a cooler of ice. Once they are cooled off they fillet easier anyway. Are you good at filleting by the way? If not I can talk you through it.

 

[caseywise]

Cutting the head off might make filleting a tad harder. I just bang them on the noggin and put them in a cooler of ice. Once they are cooled off they fillet easier anyway. Are you good at filleting by the way? If not I can talk you through it.

what dan said. a nice whack to the back of the neck and ice.
my dad does the red salmon dip net harvest every summer on the kasilof river in alaska, and he has a little orange hard rubber club that they use.
i know that hardy makes a ''priest", as rip mentioned
Hardy Fly - Products - Accessories - Tools - Priest


casey

 

[williamhj]

That's called a "priest". I don't even want to know why

The 'why', I believe, is because it's used to give the last rites to the fish. Thankfully when I've seen the sacrament administered to patients, it's much more gentle and has a different effect.

 

[wjc]

Once they are cooled off they fillet easier anyway.

They definitely filet way, way easier when cold. When you get them so cold they are stiff and have to be physically bent to loosen them up , that's perfect.