Thump or no thump

As a fisherman I have never kept any fish for the simple fact that I do not like fresh water fish. Now that I am getting my kayak tomorrow I plan to keep ocean fish. If it lives in the ocean I will eat it. So my question is do you thump your fish with a club that you plan to keep?  Or what do you so once you catch a fish you plan to keep?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.


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Only bother to whack halibut before gilling. The rest I just cut the gills on both sides and then cover with wet burlap.

Only bother to whack halibut before gilling. The rest I just cut the gills on both sides and then cover with wet burlap.

That is exactly what I do. Thought I was the only one. Bleeding is a more humane death than bludgeoning but the main reason I do it is that it is easier and quicker and improves the meat quality.  The really big halis and sharks I tail wrap them and drag them until dead. like old man and the sea.

Bleeding it is. If I am going to kill I prefer it to be as quick as possible.


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If I am in a sharky area, I don't bleed them. Just get them on the clip which is tied to yak in case they jump out. Big fish I bleed in the water before bringing on board. Keeps the boat cleaner. Once they are dead I gut them then cover in a wet burlap bag. If you do want beat a big Hali I would game clip them and pull the head onto the gunwale and beat them like that with the body in the water. They are one of the hardest fish to beat because their skull is pretty hard. If you bring them on board alive, it's not a good thing. That's why they shoot the big ones in Alaska.

Only bother to whack halibut before gilling. The rest I just cut the gills on both sides and then cover with wet burlap.

That is exactly what I do. Thought I was the only one. Bleeding is a more humane death than bludgeoning but the main reason I do it is that it is easier and quicker and improves the meat quality.  The really big halis and sharks I tail wrap them and drag them until dead. like old man and the sea.

I'm really surprised at these answers, not disagreeing just surprised.  I don't fish near as much as Scott or Jim, (nor am I as successful),

I guess refering to bleeding as a more humane is what surprised me the most.  From my experience, which I repeat is limited, one good whack stills (and probably kills) most of my fish.  Maybe I'm mistaken on that but very few ever show any signs of life after that.

On the other hand seems sharks and halis don't react well to billy clubs being almost impossible to kill that way.  So I'll have to start the bleeding process sooner.   

With all that said the sturgeon in my avatar was over 50 inches and still fell to one good whack, actually surprised me, perhaps it's because I was pumped up on adrenaline and got in a good shot.  Probably just knocked it out and the bleeding finished it off without ever coming to.

After reading this I'll probably whack less and bleed sooner,

Thanks for the info.

Where on the gills do you guys cut for the easiest and most efficient bleed out?  I've tried that way before, but I always have trouble doing it otw, maybe my knife isn't sharp enough?

Where on the gills do you guys cut for the easiest and most efficient bleed out?  I've tried that way before, but I always have trouble doing it otw, maybe my knife isn't sharp enough?

I don't use a knife. I grab the gills at the base (belly side) and tear them out by hand. Bigger fish are harder and make the "red rain" when they tear loose but if you want the the true primal experience, be a savage and pull the gills. Less risk of cutting yourself with the blade too.

I use a pair of Kitchen Shears to cut the gills. The shears slide in easy and make a clean cut. I get a good stream of blood from all size fish by cutting with the shears.

I use a pair of Kitchen Shears to cut the gills. The shears slide in easy and make a clean cut. I get a good stream of blood from all size fish by cutting with the shears.

Rescue shears. No sharp points and the will cut through all but the biggest fish. However! I usually just whack em. But then again I like to make knockers.

Where on the gills do you guys cut for the easiest and most efficient bleed out?  I've tried that way before, but I always have trouble doing it otw, maybe my knife isn't sharp enough?

I don't use a knife. I grab the gills at the base (belly side) and tear them out by hand. Bigger fish are harder and make the "red rain" when they tear loose but if you want the the true primal experience, be a savage and pull the gills. Less risk of cutting yourself with the blade too.

Damn Scott!! I had no idea you were so savage!  I'm gonna have to try that next. 

That is exactly what I do. Thought I was the only one. Bleeding is a more humane death than bludgeoning but the main reason I do it is that it is easier and quicker and improves the meat quality. [/quote]

This is what I do as well. It is the first time I've heard of any NCKA'ers bleeding fish. Glad to hear it, it REALLY improves the quality of the table fair! I too gut and usually put them on ice (in burlap bag), after bleeding. I use game shears, quick and easy, for both parties!

Time to get me some game shears.


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best way to bleed is to keep them in the water , if you bleed them out of the water the blood will clot at the gills and not fully bleed out.

I whack them. I keep fish in the tankwell, if the sun is out I cover them with a wet cloth.
The whacking stills lings and rockies so they don't flop around. halis, I beat them so they don't surprise me. If I am pulling or cutting the gills i do that after the fish is stunned.

I think bleeding them is indeed the way to go, and I would do it if I weren't so
para-shark-anaoid.