Safe Landing Spot

Have a location where you can safely gaff and haul the fish onboard, and that you have a plan and communicate it with your crew. We have a low swim step that makes a great place to bring a fish aboard, although I have to make sure I’m clipped to the boat before I go out. Our cockpit has a life raft compartment underneath which we do not want to become infused with dead fish scent for the obvious reason. We haul the fish into a large bag which we made from tarp material, wrap it and place it in the cockpit. This covers the fishes eyes and calms them, and keeps the mess in one place. Once the fish is away in the fridge the bag is easy to clean. Kill the fish with a bat or winch handle, being very careful not to take a chunk of the deck with you. We tried to use booze on the gills once, but our cheap Mexican tequila had a rate control stopper that was clogged. By mistake, I got a huge swig for myself as I tried to clear it and ended up coughing it all over the cockpit. Anyway I save the booze for me now but some people swear by the technique. Tuna can be killed easily with a brain spike (awl) to the soft portion of the head above the eyes, this also helps slow down the neurological activity which can ruin the sashimi. Buy a great knife and learn how to properly clean a fish.

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