Bleed 'em better?

Some seriously good insight here, just what I was hoping for. Thank you for all the replies! I had the insane idea of somehow using my livewell pump (which has a quick disconnect fitting after the pump to keep the system modular) and some hose to make an onboard pressure bleeder. Crazy but just might work. For now, will definitely consider not bonking  and removing the entirety of the gills. The “massaging” sounds like good intel too. Lots to experiment with.

If you find the right connector, you could use a manual bilge pump connected to a needle for the pressure bleed.

I cut the gills on both sides and poke the membrane near the gills. Toss them in the ocean for about 15 minutes and most the blood is out. The bucket method only gets so much out  also, if it's a big fish, hold onto the game clip for a minute or they might be still strong enough to unclip it

What about a recirc pump for a live well - two birds with one stone?  Just have an extra tube and a little valve; switch the valve and pump water for pressure bleeding fish, switch it back for keeping your bait well fresh?

Also, I've had nightmares about a game clip popping open and my fish swimming/floating away, haha.  Hasn't happened to me yet, knock on wood, but I don't keep the fish in the water longer than I think is necessary. 

I've been experimenting with pressure bleeding and I am impressed so far. I normally clean salmon on the water, but last weekend it was rough and I was close to home so I bled them but didn't clean them.

When I got home I used a clean garden sprayer (only ever used for water) with a pipette tip and a salt solution. You can see the blood that came out of an already-bled fish, and how there is almost no blood in the meat when cut.

Obviously you want to be very careful about the cleanliness of the water you are bleeding with since it will permeate the meat.

Here is one of the best guides I have seen on pressure bleeding, with detailed pictures of where to insert the pipette tip.

You don't have to cut the head off or even cut the throat if you stick the hose in through the mouth.

Here is one of the best guides I have seen on pressure bleeding, with detailed pictures of where to insert the pipette tip.

You don't have to cut the head off or even cut the throat if you stick the hose in through the mouth.

This is gold! Thanks so much for sharing. I am so stoked to try this on the next successful mission. For your saline are you doing 35,000 PPM for the salt like the ocean?

 Your salmon looks amazingly professional. Awesome work.

Here is one of the best guides I have seen on pressure bleeding, with detailed pictures of where to insert the pipette tip.

You don't have to cut the head off or even cut the throat if you stick the hose in through the mouth.

KPD, where did you get the pipette tip?
I need to try this.

I've been experimenting with pressure bleeding and I am impressed so far. I normally clean salmon on the water, but last weekend it was rough and I was close to home so I bled them but didn't clean them.

When I got home I used a clean garden sprayer (only ever used for water) with a pipette tip and a salt solution. You can see the blood that came out of an already-bled fish, and how there is almost no blood in the meat when cut.

Obviously you want to be very careful about the cleanliness of the water you are bleeding with since it will permeate the meat.

This is exactly the kind of setup that came to mind when people started talking about pressure bleeding.  I have a very similar rig I made for pressure bleeding my car's brake system. 

Thanks for the details Krishna -- I've got a clean sprayer that's only ever seen water and the pipette's that I have around here fit great. Now to find some time to get back out and catch a salmon so I can put this knowledge to the test

Cheers,
Brad

Here is one of the best guides I have seen on pressure bleeding, with detailed pictures of where to insert the pipette tip.

You don't have to cut the head off or even cut the throat if you stick the hose in through the mouth.

KPD, where did you get the pipette tip?
I need to try this.

You can also try a ketchup squeezable bottle or something similar (go to Daiso). 

I've been experimenting with pressure bleeding and I am impressed so far. I normally clean salmon on the water, but last weekend it was rough and I was close to home so I bled them but didn't clean them.

When I got home I used a clean garden sprayer (only ever used for water) with a pipette tip and a salt solution. You can see the blood that came out of an already-bled fish, and how there is almost no blood in the meat when cut.

Obviously you want to be very careful about the cleanliness of the water you are bleeding with since it will permeate the meat.

Whoa. Finally!  Being a science teacher has led to an unexpected fishing perk! Gotta bring some pipettes home Thanks for the info!

That fillet is a think of beauty hot dayam.

For your saline are you doing 35,000 PPM for the salt like the ocean?

I figure ocean salinity is a good starting point, but I've wondered it higher salinity would give a nice pre-brine.

KPD, where did you get the pipette tip?

This was just a squeeze-bulb style dropper. Not sure where I got it. The desired size depends on what you are connecting it to.


Pressure bleeding is always going to be tricky on a kayak - you are either waiting to remove the bloodline until you land or you are carrying extra stuff on the water. I think a simple squeeze bottle is probably the best option on the water, but I'm still looking for one I like.