Pulling a gill vs. beating

I was curious...I see a lot of people using a club to beat the fish on the head instead of pulling a gill out and letting them bleed out. It seems to be easier to just pull a gill and then you don't have to worry about them coming back to life and beating you back in the case of a halibut. Is there a problem with pulling a gill that I should know about other than a bit of blood in the water? I have always done this when spearfishing and have never had a shark problem. The fish seem to taste fine as well.

Just a curious thought,
Mike

I beat the fish to death for two reasons;

The first is because it causes instant death and you don't have to worry about them to coming back to life and biting you or sticking you with one of their spines.

The second is because I feel so much calmer afterward.

CHEERS!

I beat the fish to death for two reasons;

The first is because it causes instant death and you don't have to worry about them to coming back to life and biting you or sticking you with one of their spines.

The second is because I feel so much calmer afterward.

CHEERS!

Too funny!!! I figure the red slick that is left behind is enough to keep them down...but beating em does sound like a good stress reliever

You might think twice about bleeding in sharky waters.

You might think twice about bleeding in sharky waters.

After Dan's experience I think I will start clubbing the fish for sure!!

If you bleed a fish, i would pick up and move after doing so just to break any scent trail you may create.

 I'm getting a fish cooler to put inside my yak after I club them.
 I don't like to have fish with big teeth between my legs snapping and flopping. It's the "Punisher" for me.

Pulling the gill works on a boat.  Anything, that cuts the brain from thinking is a plus.  Not, your brain.  Unless you taking alot of drugs.  The fish's brain.

Ken kickfish

If I'm killing a fish for food, (what other reason is there?), I prefer to cut the gills with a sharp knife. No knife, I'll pull a gill. I believe the clean cut allows for better, more thorough bleeding. I bleed them so that they have very little blood left in their system and so when I'm filleting it is a much cleaner operation. I don't like blood on the meat. I also try hard to not get offal on the meat as well. I really think it makes a difference with regards to food quality.
A rowdy, toothy, and/or spiny fish gets whacked then cut. Also, when bleeding out a fish on the ocean, I'm more worried about seals than sharks. That has been my experience so far. Those damn pinnepeds!

I do both especially if the darn fish either bites me, or spits the hook and I get it . For me it's therapeutical!!! 

Damn I have to get out on the water SOON!!!1

I cut the spine right behind the head, it bleeds the fish out and gurantees that it will never wake up. 

Where is the love?

We could always do it the Polynesian way and bite the fish right behind the head!!!!

You should always bleed any rockfish/halibut/salmon/albacore that you plan to eat. It will result in a much higher grade of meat.
I'll let them dangle in the water immediately after cutting but eventually pull them into the tankwell and let the excess blood wash through the scuppers. I am not worried about sharks at all. Its the seals that scare me!
PK

I would have to say that I have had more seals come after my stringer while diving than anything. The oddest thing I have had come after me was a nice size ling whom immediately ended up on the string as well. Thank you for all the replies...I think I will continue to bleed the fish and hope that I don't have to deal with the sharks.