To grab the fish secure- I do one of two things:
1. stick my fingers in the gills (both) from under the head.
2. Hold on to the spear next to the body. Sometime i have to grab the tail if it is thrashing around- it will tire eventually.
I've never ripped the gills out of a fish- but I have notice they damage easily. So, Just reach inside the gills from the OUTSIDE of the fish grab on to the red/pink gills and tug or rub your hand agaisnt the gill plate and that will destroy the gills.
I've been speared by the dorsal fin of Carp. It wet through my suit and drew blood. So, I shot his family
