A bleeding question

[RK]

Sharks are in the ocean, so are lions, tigers and bears

Right now the areas I fish are plagued with pesky seals I would personally be more worried about one of them snatching your catch.

After you gaff your fish and secure it with a game clip I usually pull a gill at first and throw the fish back in the water to keep the death as humane as possible and the fish basically swims it out and dies as opposed to flopping out on the deck.

See Exhibit A.

I also have decided that I really like ripping all the gills out right after death and keeping things real nice and clean, the quality of the meat only improves.

And remember to Gut it and Ice it.

I hope this helps, although the photo is from March.

Exhibit A:

[kurt]

White Sea Bass gills are really sharp, so use a knife to cut or pliers to pull out the gills, otherwise you're going to have cutup fingers to go with the smile on your face.

[lamb]

LOL.

All good points.

That's right, be careful. Those WSB gills ARE tough.
If you haven't had your fingers caught in the the gills while holding freshly caought cbass, as it breaths and gills tighten grabbing your fingers (HURTS!), you haven't posed with enough of them.

But those wounds do not hurt. They bring the smile on my face every time I wear them.

Throw a towel in the gills for moving it around unharmed while posing.

And friendly advice - when you catch that biggen, do make sure you get a bunch of nice pics on the water. Ask your buddy, another kayaker, even if you don't know him/her - they'll be happy to hear your story. Boaters will be happy to take your pic too - it looks great from a little higher angle.
Have multiple people take pic... of a fish you bled in Appendix A.

Back to bleeding - always wash it after bleeding before taking a pic.
It looks much better

RK,
That fish looks like it's been caught in May.
I recognize that specific May-ey shade on YT colors.

[taggermike]

I very rarely use a club on fish. Dead fish don't bleed well. Get your fish secured when it is still on the gaff. Don't risk one flip letting a mortally wounded fish go. I have a small pair of super sharp surgercal scissors I use to cut spectra and these are what I use to cut a gill arch or 2. It's clearner to bleed a secured fish in the water next to your kayak but I NEVER hang fish over the side in La Jolla or where i even think a sea lion may be. I hold, the fish as gentle as I can and point the head down in to the foot well scupper hole and let it bleed out. I have a big sponge that I use to keep water flowing over the fish to keep the blood going out the scupper. Ya, it makes a big old blood slick but it doesn't last long and I'm on my way. Mike

[oneyedeer]

good idea with the sponge!

[Cbad Mike]

Thanks everyone for once again providing insightful answers. I can't wait to use all of the knowledge that I've learned here to use on the water!
Thanks again!
Mike

[jorluivil]

I make it as simple as possible

1. Gaff
2. Clip
3. Call Matt and talk crap about my fish being bigger, again.
4. Call Roby and talk crap about my fish being bigger, again.
5. Grab pliers, grab gills, twist and pull
6. Call Matt and Roby, again
7. Hang fish over kayak
8. After a few minutes pull fish out of water, place in burlap sack and strap it to the bow

[Whizz Bang]

Originally Posted by taggermike

I very rarely use a club on fish. Dead fish don't bleed well. Get your fish secured when it is still on the gaff. Don't risk one flip letting a mortally wounded fish go. I have a small pair of super sharp surgercal scissors I use to cut spectra and these are what I use to cut a gill arch or 2. It's clearner to bleed a secured fish in the water next to your kayak but I NEVER hang fish over the side in La Jolla or where i even think a sea lion may be. I hold, the fish as gentle as I can and point the head down in to the foot well scupper hole and let it bleed out. I have a big sponge that I use to keep water flowing over the fish to keep the blood going out the scupper. Ya, it makes a big old blood slick but it doesn't last long and I'm on my way. Mike

My opinion differs a little bit. I ALWAYS bleed my fish, game-clipped, and IN the water at LJ, so does Kevin the Kid, RK, DpDvr, The DarkHorse, and just about every guy I know. Mike, where is your sense of adventure? That little rush of adrenaline wondering about just how far that blood trail has traveled as you hurriedly stow the gaff, reset, and ready yourself for the next YT all the time with legs a dangle in the water impatiently waiting for the blood cloud to just quit so you can toss him into your bow hatch to hide him from the skiff headed your way. Spice of life Mike, the spice of life.