Any tips on humane killing for the fish?

[jeddahdiver]

Hi guys, could you please advice me on how kill my catch humanley under the water ?

 

[Erik]

Welcome. Generally we carry a small knife and stick it in the brain from underneath or over top. From the top, look down at the fish, visualize a triangle between the eyes and with a point towards the tail: there is the point to drive the knife in.
I rarely use that method. I go up inside a gill and stir the knife around behind the eyes. Usually the fish's mouth will open when it's dead.
Or you can use the point on your fish stringer to the same effect. Say a little thanks and your on to the next one!
I am adamant about a quick death and I respect your question- I believe life should be respected, no matter what it is, or whether it's self-aware.
Salam,
Erik.

 

[foxfish]

Eric's answer is probably as good as you could get but depending on what you are trying to kill, it might be possible to kill the fish with a good head shot in the first place.

 

[azapa]

to carry on Eric's rant, oops, I mean well meaning commentary on killing fish, even after killing your fish:

- don't throw them around
- don't leave them out to get sandy and covered in flies
- don't let kids poke or play with them. Show and teach only.
- fillet them well with no waste
- return the guts, bones etc to the food chain (ocean) if appropriate, ie not public beach.
- eat yourselves or give ONLY to those you know will eat and appreciate
- never waste any

I find it so disrespectful (not the right word) to do anything else.

 

[agbiv]

Disrespectful is exactly the right word! I hunt in the sea and on the land. I give thanks for everything I harvest (kill) including vegitation. When there is no respect, overharvesting occurs, species not edible are killed and we, as appex preditor/consumers destroy not only the "food chain" but the very chain of life.

 

[BatRay]

Well said

 

[spadefish]

I use my speartip to kill the fish. Once I have subdued the fish, I hold it by the gills (with large game fish, I straddle the fish and use my legs to pin the tail). I then remove the spear and spike the fish in the triangle described earlier. For disk shaped fish, I go in from the side behind the eye - about the same distance as the eyes are apart. I find that using the spear, the barb acts as a good holding point - this is especially important with fish with a hard skull like cobia.

Killing fish as quickly as possible certainly keeps unwanted visitors away