I live in Cali just like you do. Here the fish are easy to brain. Not a lot of tropical wierd heads on the fish. Unless you shoot a sheephead. So its easy, when you dive always carry a dive knife on you. In case you get caught up in some kelp or netting or mono fishing line. But when you shoot your fish, hold it by the gills, and then take your free hand with your dive knife and stick it in the head. Where to stick it is easy. Draw an imaginary line between the eyes. Then go back that same distance as that line is long. Stab that same distance back in the center of its head. That will sever the brainstem. Halibut right now are a bit harder to brain. The spine will go up and over the gill plate, so you can stab the halibut directly in the brain even with the top eye just over the gill plate. And dont forget to wiggle the knife a little bit. When the fish quivers or shakes you have done it right.
Also since sharks arent a big conscern out here, you can gut and gill the fish while still in the water. I do that as soon as i get them on the stringer. Then just swim around with them on there. The only things i do sometimes is use the stringer to pin the fish's mouth shut so i dont get that accidental bite, or cut off the dorsal spine so you dont get poked.
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