Hi, My name is Phil and I have been lurking around the TFF for a wile now and even got some good advice on buying a boat. Ended up buying a 1986 17ft v bottom BassTracker with a 80hp Merc. I’m in my late 40s now (closer to 50) and haven’t fished much but now I am really getting in to it and I really like cat fishing at night.I was wondering what was the best way to kill the fish you are going to keep before you clean them. I seen the video were Tiny cuts the gills. But if you do that do you put them back in the live well after cutting the gills or do you put them in a bucket? What do you do to kill the fish you are keeping?

Ice works for me

Welcome to the TFF.
We {My partner and I} keep them on ice and whack them with a hammer on top of the head when at home.
If you prefer to do them in some other way make sure they are totally dead, Catfish are VERY tough.
Hope this helps.

put the fish your keeping in an ice chest with ice. it will cool them down enough so that you wont have to kill em first. on ice will keep them longer than a fish basket or stringer in the summer time.

welcome aboard

ice is the way to go

ice & clip fins

Thanks every one I will try the ice next time out. (I hope Saturday night).

good luck let us know how you do

I don't worry about it. I fillet them and go from there. If it's winter and the air temp is cold enough I just put then in the live well if it's summer it's icebath time for my whiskered little friends.

put them in ice, I have been told it helps draw the blood out of the musle and makes it taste better

Welcome aboard Phil!!!

Where were you thinking about going tonight? I am wanting to go test my new prop tonight, and may be able to hook up with you to show you first hand how to filet them.(with any luck)

Plus if you do not mind the strange taste you already have a cooler with ice in it to cool off the beverage of your choice before you start cleaning them.

I like catching them, I don't mind cleaning them, BUT, THERE AIN'T NO WAY I AM DRINKING FROM A SLIMY CAN>>>

I carry an extra ice chest for the fish if I'm gonna keep them.

Like Opus said, ice and be sure to clip their fins.

Why clip the fins?

the bigger fish will poke holes in your ice chest if you don't clip the tips of the fins.

I was wondering how that hole got in my cooler.



OK, I would have to actually catch big fish for that to be the case.

There is a hole in the top of their head, take a small diameter wire a coat hanger will work, but is a little big, and feel for the hole, it has been a while but I'm thinking it is a little in front of the eyes, but if you use the wire can find it pretty easy, push the wire in about 1 1/2 to 2" towards it's backbone, and more depending on how big the fish is, but when you hit the majic spot, it will flop so be careful, but it will be paralized after that and will be dead in a few seconds!!!

Never killed a fish in my life
A few have had strokes while i was cleanin them but it wer'nt my fault
CATCH'EM- PUT'EM ON ICE

Yeah, you will get over that sooner or later. After you start catching the big ones and you're covered in slime and get it on your beer....You'll get over it. Just like the smell of stink bait. Sooner or later, everyone gets used to it.

YUP

And we wonder why BASS fishermen look at us in a disdainful manner!