I recently been to a fishery that only allow killing fish. The 1st fish I had gave up after 5 hits on the head, but the other one was around 5ish pounds. I had it in the net and then again 5 hits in the head, it twitched a few time and stopped, everythings were good and I went back to start fishing. About 5 mins into my casting my friends pointed and shouted my fish is escaping. I ran over and the fish is flopping down the slope trying to get back to the water. So I gave it half a dozen of hit on it's head and it's gone(or so I thought) another 5 mins later it is flopping again. and the 3rd time i hit it again and finally it's gone.

Is bigger fish harder to die? (I usually C & R so dont really know)
I am sure its not reflex coz it's jumping real high and not just once or twice.

this is not a subject that i would wish to pursue on an open forum.but i will PM you.

jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

The head's normally at the same end as the eyes. The next time try hitting them 3 times at each end if you're not sure which end the head's at. Oh, and don't just use your hand. Get a big stick and use that.

if you MUST kill a fish make it clean by using a priest, and learn from someone how to use it, you should be able to deliver the blow to kill with a single blow to the spot on the back of the head. The priest is there as it is supposed to be painless and quick. Or better still fish catch and release with barbless or debarbed hooks, then you don't need to kill anything.

Welcome to Pacific Salmon and Steelhead fishing. If you're going to 'whack' a fish, you have to use something like a "Priest" and hit right between the eyes. Fish don't get that big by being 'Pussy-willows.'

Post withdrawn

Actually, it very well could be. Suspect the poster is/appears to be from eastern Europe ... who knows if he's ever seen a fish over a few inches long (save for Carp)?

A .22 up to 5lbs after that it's got to be a .357

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Sometimes you dream, and sometimes it seems, that there's nothing there at all.
You just grow older than yesterday and you wait for tomorrow to call

Post withdrawn

Just behind the eyes. Sharp smacks x2 and one for luck. Make sure it's the impact that stops the blow and not you pulling the punch when you think it's about to contact. Well done for asking rather than just having a go again & hoping for the best next time. The decision to kill a fish is yours, but taking any life must be done with respect for the prey.

Everyone must know how to do this properly before they need to, even the most comitted C&R people. There'll come a time when it goes pear-shaped and you're left with only one option, so make sure you can kill a fish quickly and cleanly before you decide to play with them.