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Here’s what we got for you today:

• Why the Japanese are certified fish dispatchers 🔪

• Scientist are trying to figure out why fish in the Florida Keys are dying suddenly 🧑‍🔬

• How to remove the skin from your salmon before cooking with a next level kitchen hack 🐟

• Scroll to the bottom - we have an unreal referral program and are giving away free Early Bird Fishing stickers, neck gaiters, and boonie hats 💸

The Art of Brain Spiking Fish (Ikijime)

For anglers, the journey from catching a fish to eating it is a sacred ritual, and the Japanese have mastered it.

In Japan, the ikijime tool emerged as a revered instrument, drawing from Japanese tradition to offer a humane and efficient means of dispatching fish.

Discovering Ikijime: A Swift and Humane Approach

Derived from the Japanese term "ikijime," meaning "to immobilize" or "to kill instantly," the ikijime tool stands as a testament to the respect and efficiency deeply ingrained in fishing culture.

Designed to swiftly sever the fish's spinal cord and interrupt nerve function, this method ensures immediate brain death, minimizing the animal's suffering and preventing stress-induced biochemical changes that could compromise meat quality.

Mastering the Technique: Precision and Care

To begin, locate the precise spot above the eyes where the brain is located. With a swift and decisive motion, the ikijime tool is inserted into the fish's brain cavity, rendering it unconscious in an instant.

Next, the angler inserts the supplied wire into the brain cavity and through the spine, fully shutting down all neurological activity in the spine.

This precise action not only guarantees a painless death but also sets the stage for optimal bleeding and cleaning, free from the risk of stress-induced rigor mortis or flesh deterioration.

The Rewards of Ikijime: Quality, Respect, and Sustainability

Beyond its practical applications, the ikijime technique embodies a philosophy of respect for the fish and the marine ecosystems they inhabit.

By dispatching fish swiftly and humanely, anglers uphold principles of ethical and sustainable fishing, minimizing their impact on the environment and honoring the creatures they catch.

Moreover, ikijime ensures the preservation of meat quality, delivering tender, flavorful flesh that pays homage to the fish's journey from sea to plate.

Summary

• Ikijime, rooted in Japanese tradition, offers a humane and efficient means of dispatching fish, minimizing suffering and preserving meat quality.

• Mastering the precise technique of ikijime ensures a swift and painless death, setting the stage for optimal bleeding and cleaning.

• Embracing ikijime reflects principles of respect and sustainability, enhancing the angler's connection to the fish and the marine ecosystems they cherish.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

• Scientists are still baffled as to why fish in the Florida Keys are suddenly dying with an expected neurological disorder.

• Lindy Tackle Company will move to lead free fishing tackle by 2027, making it the first major US fishing tackle company to commit to a lead-free transition. Lead fishing tackle is suspected to be a major killer of waterfowl due to accidental ingestion.

• A video tutorial on how to use the ikijime method to dispatch a fish.

• This guy compared the taste of fresh caught tuna prepared Ikijime style to a tuna that was prepared with a traditional gut and bleed approach. Check it out here to see what tasted better.

AI CORNER

Every week I generate fishing related AI images. See the coolness below:

CHEF’S KISS

🦀 If this crab roll recipe doesn’t make your mouth water, we don’t know what will.

🔪 This is a brilliant hack to remove the skin off salmon before cooking. While some love crispy salmon skin, this will come in clutch for those picky eaters in your family.

🐚 Ever wonder where oysters come from? Look no further, the answer is here.

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