Killing a Fish

cody909 · #1 June 12th, 2008

I was wondering since i have never killed a fish and am new to spearfishing what is the easiest way to put a fish out of its misery after you spear them, Is there a certain spot i can push a knife in or what,

Nothing like Slamming a rock or poisoning it, I am walking off the beach each time and i dont wanna swim back inshore to just kill a fish,

Padaxes · #2 June 12th, 2008

Most people say stab it in the brain but I have real trouble with that and end up poking around in its head while the thing thrashes around

So I usually just chop its head off as quickly as I can. A friend was showing me a technique where you hoook your fingers in its gills and yank its head back hard, I guess it breaks its spine that seemed to work too but I havn't done it myself.

-NO TANKS- · #3 June 12th, 2008

^^Agreed. The cleanest and quickest way is to use a knife and stab the fish in its head to brain it. the bad thing about this is you could make a mistake and stab yourself. You could also just cut the fishes gills or sqeeze it so it cant breath...but when cutting the gills you got to watchout for the tax man.

Aloha

Spaniard · #4 June 12th, 2008

If you use a stilletto type blade, i.e. long and thin, then if you push the point up through the gills towards the brain that should do the trick.

cody909 · #5 June 13th, 2008

Ohh thanks
When you guys catch fish you guys keep them on a (I dunno what there called but a line that goes through the gills or the eyes and stays connected so they dont get away) you guys keep the fish with you if you swim from offshore? or should i swim inshore every kill?

seguyette · #6 June 13th, 2008

Knife to the brain, then put them on a stringer off your dive float. http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-...ding-fish.html
If you are in kelp the stringer idea will get caught up and there are other options. Do a quick search here on DB for stringers, there are plenty of good threads from guys in SoCal that have already asked the same question.

cody909 · #7 June 13th, 2008

Thanks, It was a very helpful thread, Im just gonna stick with Braining,

Erik · #8 June 13th, 2008

I run a float usually, but sometimes put the stringer on my belt and carry the fish. Of course I don't have to worry about "tax collectors" up here haha!

seguyette · #9 June 13th, 2008

Cody909 -
I'm sure you are going to ask about the tax collector now, so here is a question that I had last year and got some good input on. Of course it depends on if you are around kelp or not for what your options are. Good luck and have fun

cody909 · #10 June 13th, 2008

When you say the "Tax Collecters" you guys are talking about the Law enforcement right? what will they do wrong, Its there somthing wrong with using a stringer? Anyone in Southern Califorina know of good dive spots?

Erik · #11 June 14th, 2008

No, we mean sharks... they come and take their piece of the action

cody909 · #12 June 14th, 2008

Ohh haha,
**Note - New Term ~ Taxman: Shark**

What do i do if there chewing off my stringer connected to my belt?
I herd your supposed to punch them in the nose..
They dont get mad? If i were a shark and somone punched me i would take a bite...

Mabe put a knife in them?

feign · #13 June 14th, 2008

I used to always knife to the brain, but now I usually bleed the fish if possible. The meat ends up much better. I think the easiest is to pull out gill rakes. You don't necessarily need to cut them, (depending on how accessible your knife is when you have the fish subdued). Sometimes you just have to yank really hard though, depending on the type of fish. Pull one or two at a time. The gill artery will bleed for a while, but may clot off fairly quickly. At this point you can pull or cut another couple gill rakes.

-NO TANKS- · #14 June 16th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody909

Ohh haha,
**Note - New Term ~ Taxman: Shark**

What do i do if there chewing off my stringer connected to my belt?
I herd your supposed to punch them in the nose..
They dont get mad? If i were a shark and somone punched me i would take a bite...

Mabe put a knife in them?

if you see it coming to you, Use your spear gun..it keeps the the shark away at a safer distance. just remember your in their home so treat them with some respect.

hyeparis · #15 June 17th, 2008

Brain the fish. I usually stabb it in the head and then twist the knife sideways to make sure I hit the brain

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