Ikejime - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

King Saba · 06-12-2017, 09:13 PM

It works. Even simply bleeding fish out makes a world of difference as far as preserving the freshness of the meat. Remember that the flesh of fish is very delicate so any additional stress that a fish experiences breaks down the structure and fibers of the meat. Ike-jime destroys the nervous system thus preventing the flesh from breaking down at a faster rate. I have this debate with my dad all the time. He holds firm in the belief that a live stressed out fish tastes fresher than a properly killed, bled, and chilled fish. It's like comparing factory farmed beef to wagyu.

King Saba · 06-12-2017, 09:23 PM

Since we're on the topic, where can a guy get some cheap stainless steel wire for ike-jime? I've seen some online made specifically for the practice. BUT, the prices were too much for my frugal-self.

FullFlavorPike · 06-12-2017, 09:28 PM

Piano wire maybe? Not sure if it's SS though.

GTboosted · 06-12-2017, 09:59 PM

From the article it appears you need to let the fish rest for a while affer fighting it so it dissipates the lactic acid in the muscles... I don't think we can keep any of our game fish alive for the specified time in our tiny livewells...

I guess the next best thing is to bleed them after bringing them up.

PapaDave · 06-13-2017, 08:36 AM

That's interesting, I usually keep the fish alive as long as possible from experience. I always thought the fish tasted better when I did that.

hiramehunter · 06-13-2017, 08:56 AM

It's hard to do all of the steps (whatever you think that is) on a kayak, especially when they're biting and you want to get back on the spot. But i usually try to knife it right to the brain area and twist it until I hit it just right. You'll see the fish "freak out" as you move the knife around. I also nick the gills to bleed it out and put in the water with a game clip (stringer) until it's done bleeding. Then I put it on ice (if possible). I think it makes a huge difference in taste.
I would try to do the wire thing but I haven't gotten around to that yet. Plus a large sponge would've nice to pin the fish down to do all of this. My 2 cents.

goldenglory18 · 06-13-2017, 08:58 AM

I think someone on BD classifieds was selling these types of tools.....

06-12-2017, 09:13 PM	#1
King Saba Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: SGV Posts: 849	It works. Even simply bleeding fish out makes a world of difference as far as preserving the freshness of the meat. Remember that the flesh of fish is very delicate so any additional stress that a fish experiences breaks down the structure and fibers of the meat. Ike-jime destroys the nervous system thus preventing the flesh from breaking down at a faster rate. I have this debate with my dad all the time. He holds firm in the belief that a live stressed out fish tastes fresher than a properly killed, bled, and chilled fish. It's like comparing factory farmed beef to wagyu. __________________ Baitfish catcher extraordinaire

06-12-2017, 09:23 PM	#2
King Saba Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: SGV Posts: 849	Since we're on the topic, where can a guy get some cheap stainless steel wire for ike-jime? I've seen some online made specifically for the practice. BUT, the prices were too much for my frugal-self. __________________ Baitfish catcher extraordinaire

06-12-2017, 09:59 PM	#4
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	From the article it appears you need to let the fish rest for a while affer fighting it so it dissipates the lactic acid in the muscles... I don't think we can keep any of our game fish alive for the specified time in our tiny livewells... I guess the next best thing is to bleed them after bringing them up. __________________ -Beto

06-13-2017, 08:36 AM	#5
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,475	That's interesting, I usually keep the fish alive as long as possible from experience. I always thought the fish tasted better when I did that. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

06-12-2017, 09:28 PM	#3
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 811	Piano wire maybe? Not sure if it's SS though.

06-13-2017, 08:56 AM	#6
hiramehunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Near Palos Verdes Posts: 198	It's hard to do all of the steps (whatever you think that is) on a kayak, especially when they're biting and you want to get back on the spot. But i usually try to knife it right to the brain area and twist it until I hit it just right. You'll see the fish "freak out" as you move the knife around. I also nick the gills to bleed it out and put in the water with a game clip (stringer) until it's done bleeding. Then I put it on ice (if possible). I think it makes a huge difference in taste. I would try to do the wire thing but I haven't gotten around to that yet. Plus a large sponge would've nice to pin the fish down to do all of this. My 2 cents.

06-13-2017, 08:58 AM	#7
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	I think someone on BD classifieds was selling these types of tools.....