Quote:
Originally Posted by old_rookie
Anything special I need to know to unhook one of them if I get one? I keep thinking sharp beaks, but that's squid.
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When I caught mine it was a mess cause it was wrapped in a sabiki. I never saw a beak, but my buddy told me they have one. Most ones I have seen out here are small and you can handle them with your hands. If you get one of the larger models, you can use your paddle or gaff so they grab onto that and then use pliers to get the hook/s out. They arent fast by any means. Once I got him loose onto my gaff, I got him in my bait tank and filled it with water.
Once I figured out where "the neck" was I used my gaff to get a hold of him, and I cut all around the top of the tentacles almost separating the head from the legs. When you cut in on the larger ones you will hit a very hard section. Just cut around the top of the legs till you hit this. Then I put him in a plastic bag and back into the bait tank to keep him cool. I dont know if this is the right way, but my buddy used to get them out of the rocks (smaller models), stretch them out and bite their neck off. He said the one I got came out perfect. So I figured my way was pretty close.
They are a messy and slimy I will let you know that right now. Except the suckers of course.