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Photos and Tips of the Month, fishing reports and forums, Hall of Fame, tall tales, and more.
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| What's the proper way to kill fish? Ernest writes: One of the most puzzling questions of a novice angler like myself is: How do yu properly kill a fish? Are there different methods and what kind of tools does one need? This topic seems to be left out in any angling book or web site. Thanks you for your response, Ernest. (20 April 2001) Mark Bolger replies: Dear Ernie, killing a fish is no easy task, and how to kill a fish really depends on which species you are intending to kill. For all freshwater species, I find the quickest, and most humane way to kill a fish is to place two fingers, either side of the gills, under the fish's mouth. As it breathes, you will see a piece of skin, which connects the body and the jaw. Place your fingers in there, and lift the fish's head backwards, hence killing it, quickly and painlessly. This method applies to some saltwater species, such as garfish, snapper, trevally, salmon, tailor, wrasse, whiting and mullet. It works on all freshwater species, except catfish. The reason is does not work on some saltwater species is because they do not have that piece of skin in the same place as the others, or their skin is guarded by sharp spikes, such as the flathead. Bottom dwellers have very flat bodies, and are harder to kill - and unfortunately, there is no real quick way to kill the fish. The easiest and quickest way to kill a flathead is to place a knife right between its eyes, and push through. That is where the brain is located. I hope I have been of some help, and wish you all the best in your fishing endeavours. (23 April 2001) Chris Wright replies: I find the best way to kill fish is to use something like half an axe handle and give them a good blow to the head just above the eyes.This works with nearly all species of fish but you would have to soften the blow depending on the size of the fish. This method would not be advised for something like garfish. Once you have killed the fish it leaves you free to get the hook out without have to worry about the fish wrigging about on you. (10 June 2001) Michael.R replies: Some of the answers may have sounded a bit gruesome but if we are to survive we must eat and in order to do that we must kill the fish. No different to what is being done in the abattoirs. As stated before there are various ways to kill fish. For most scale fish I create an iced slurry in a tub on the boat and basically drop the fish into that as they come into the boat. This not only preserves the fish but also puts them to sleep (permenently) without the need to get physical. Gummies and most shark species have to be despatched immediatly with a cut across the back of the head as this improves the flavour. (18 October 2002) Vlad replies: The best way to kill a fish is to put it in the bucket of water and forget about it and concentrate on getting the next one. (23 October 2002) If you have any advice for Ernest, or other comments or questions, use our contributor's form and be in the running for some great monthly prizes. |
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