Humane fish dispatch... 2025
zhorseshoerz reply :
Idealy I would catch and release every fish I land. But now my fishing partner is demanding that since we're in supposedly hard times, that we should take any good size bass home to eat, which I guess is fine. But I have since realized that I don't know how to humanely kill the fish before I fillet it.
fourbizz reply :
12 gauge
BucketmouthAngler13 reply :
Just fillet it.
If kept out of the water they should be brain dead by the time you get home.
SuskyDude reply :
A good whack between the eyes with a blunt object, like a heavy pair of pliers or a beer bottle, does the trick!
Keep the "keepers", throw back the big breeders! 
bassmaster3000 reply :
hard times? just wack it in the head!
zhorseshoerz reply :
Well, that's the argument I'm getting anyway. It's from the mind of a woman. I didn't stipulate that it was a particularly sensical argument.
bassmaster3000 reply :
this is for no reason...
:question OKAY I'M DONE!
Long Mike reply :
While fourbizz has a good idea, I would suggest that you do not use his method while the fish is laying on the deck of your boat. 
zhorseshoerz reply :
Quotehard times?
Btw, I noticed that you're a youth member. Maybe ask your parents how they might plan to feed you if they were to get laid off and still have to pay the mortgage.
zhorseshoerz reply :
QuoteWhile fourbizz has a good idea, I would suggest that you do not use his method while the fish is laying on the deck of your boat.
For better or worse, I fish strictly from the shore...in florida....the lilly-pads eat more senkos than the fish.
DawsonH reply :
the brain is between the eyes and slightly back from them. A pellet gun or an ice pick takes care of it easily.
rll reply :
Do people really kill the fish before they fillet them? Usually mine are still trying to take breaths while they are in the off fall bucket. If you are worried about the fishes feelings how can you shove a hook through theyre mouth in the first place? Just fillet em they will die.
Daniel A. reply :
You could put them on ice...or go the 12 gauge route.
Dave D reply :
When we fish in Ontario for Walleyes and Pike, any fish that is kept must be killed immediately. They do this to eliminate people culling fish.
It has been this way for at least 10 years. We use little wooden fish wackers that my grandpa made back in the day. They are basically a wooden baseball bat, drilled out and filled with lead. One wack between the eyes is all it takes!
They also sell products like these but I'm sure you could make something that would work. A 12 inch piece of 2X2 would probably do the trick!
grimlin reply :
Cooler with ice.
I have one of those large wired fish baskets you can stick in the water..I use that for bluegills. Once I'm done i can just transport em' in the ice cooler home.
I'm gonna be keeping a few as well this year.
ScroGG ToGG reply :
Just a thought....
Release the bass, and set yourself up a catfishing rig.
Catch the catfish, bop it on the head with any heavy, blunt object,
fillet, and enjoy the GOOD tasting fish species...
just my .02
Pitchinkid reply :
Just start filleting. They probably wont have much life in them by the time you get them home. I am all for fish conservation and releasing safley.But there nothin wrong with taking a few. Just stick your knife in a go to town, the fish wont scream.
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteIdealy I would catch and release every fish I land. But now my fishing partner is demanding that since we're in supposedly hard times, that we should take any good size bass home to eat, which I guess is fine. But I have since realized that I don't know how to humanely kill the fish before I fillet it.
What's your defination of a "good size bass" ? Please don't kill the hog's.
Wayne P. reply :
A 10 ga. is more "humane" than a 12 ga. If you are going to kill them, don't be a wimp, use something that will get the job done. ;D
Paul Roberts reply :
Are we being "baited" here...
Put the larger ones back. Keep only the smallest legal. Knock it on the head with a billy. Put it it on ice. But...there are a lot tastier fish out there.
farmpond1 reply :
"Humane fish dispatch"....Isn't that a newspaper?
Sharpie reply :
I just filet the bass or bluegill or pike what ever. Does that make me a badazz.
bass wrangler569 reply :
Sharp hatchet.
bass wrangler569 reply :
QuoteI just filet the bass or bluegill or pike what ever. Does that make me a badazz.
no
Sharpie reply :
I didn't thinks so.
Catt reply :
Fish spoil faster than one might think so if you are going to keep any fish I would go from hook to ice.
kms399 reply :
I usually keep the fish that around 1-1.5 lbs. I think they taste better than the larger ones. I find the bigger 3 lbs to be mushy especially when the water gets warmer. I will usually only keep bass if they are likely to die any way then I will try to catch 2 more smaller ones. I think sunnies taste better though i have started bringing an ultra light with me now.
I will usually use my knife and stab them in the head that will usually make short work of them. a bit messy though
done reply :
When I go to my mothers pond, so far we keep anything we catch. it is 3 years into the first stocking and the fish man there told us we need to thin the herd a bit. Besides that, I will keep 1 or 2 <4 lb Bass if i get any and most catfish, and panfish.
I will kepe them alive in my portable livewell until it is killing time. Can't get any fresher than that.
fishfordollars reply :
Fillet knife does just fine. The 12 or 10 ga. works better if you place the barrell to the left side of your head and the fish just above your ear on the right side. Count to three and pull.
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteFillet knife does just fine. The 12 or 10 ga. works better if you place the barrell to the left side of your head and the fish just above your ear on the right side. Count to three and pull.
Demostration please.
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