DO THIS To Properly Harvest Your Catch (The Ike Jime Method)

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Ike jime is the process of harvesting your catch with respect while preserving the meat of the fish.
This process is the most humane way to kill a fish and decreases the amount of stress they are under.
It also allows for the best quality of meat by reducing the amount of lactic acid and cortisol that's released while the fish is under distress.
There are tools necessary to complete ike jime and specific steps that must be followed for this process to be successful.
So in this new video, you’ll learn:
- The step-by-step process of ike jime
- Why this process is important
- The tools you'll need for ike jime
- And more
Check it out!!
Let me know if you have questions or feedback in the comments down below!

[@Saltstrong]

Want to learn about current fishing trends, have access to the best fishing reports online, and get 20% off your tackle? Click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3j8Wou4

[@danbrunski469]

I've been bleeding all fish for years and braining them for the last two. Along with a saltwater ice slurry it makes a much firmer aesthetically looking fillet. I may try the backbone technique going forward. Do this on a Spanish mackerel and use the loins above and below the bloodline/lateral line and you've got excellent meat for ceviche.

[@kateskrmetta2022]

Totally agree

[@herewegofans]

Spanish Macs are poison and unedible. [STOP sharing our secrets lol. So many great meals from by catch will be lost. ]

[@tjtewshews5531]

This method really makes a HUGE difference in the texture of the meat. It is so much fresher after filleting. Hard to describe but I want to say the meat feels more limp, flexible and soft. As he said, the meat is still alive. I've been doing this with catfish. I used to just cut the gills to bleed them out while holding them in the water then put them in an ice slurry. The brain spike and destroying the spinal cord is a game changer. I only wish you guys would make some videos showing how to brain spike a catfish properly. I end up shanking it about 20 times and still not sure if I'm hitting the brain or not. The spinal cord part is easy.

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for the feedback and for watching!

[@awong3286]

Thank you so much for the detailed info. Ive seen a lot of videos explaining Ike Jime, but nothing really about the exact location of the spinal cord. Now I'm more confident about performing Ike Jime.

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@toddstovall9274]

Would also like more details on using the brain spike- penetration angle and location. It’s my understanding that the location of where you need to insert the spike varies by species.

[@FishinWithFelix]

I was wondering the same thing. I would love to see a video on this.

[@vega5116]

Yea that's the problem with this method

[@JiminSC]

There is an Ike Jime App that shows the location in almost all fish species.

[@dvsmike]

Yes! Finally a product available in the United States! I had to buy one from Japan and during covid it took a couple of months to get it. Im definitely going to use this vendor. I just started fishing but haven't gotten to actually fishing yet. Went twice with no catches and realized i gotta get up early or go late and i am neither one of those types. When i do, ike jime is the only way to go for me.

[@withoutprejudice8301]

😅.........you're confusing hunting with fishing. And better yet, you didn't have to wait for anything. Grind a point on a screwdriver and you've got the spike. A common guitar string is your wire. Geesh...., are people SO simple minded that they can't problem solve anymore?

[@NoBrakes23]

Good to see another ike jime option. Surprisingly few products in this market. Stoked to see smaller options for smaller freshwater fish as well.

[@adamr1162]

I’ve been using this technique for quite some time and the quality of the meat is significantly improved. Highly recommended to anyone who eats their catch!

[@swdy0201]

This is super cool! Tried it on a Spanish and it makes a big difference, especially after a couple days in the fridge. My wife couldn’t believe there was hardly any smell

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome!

[@KingRamiel]

It's hard to find ikejeme kits here in San Diego and on Amazon, so I had to resort to making my own by buying an awl and using an aluminum wire used for hanging picture frames ( single gauge, not multi strand) or someone's spare guitar string (G string as it has the right thickness and not copper wound like the E, A, and D strings). It gets the job done but it eventually rusts or the wire gets bent out of shape. I mostly use it on chub mackerel and rarely halibut that I catch in the bay. Overall, doing the ikejeme yielded great fish for me to eat and my fellow anglers appreciate the effort that I do to help keep their catch fresh.

[@richardsqueeze]

You may want to try insulation supports or suspended ceiling wire. The insulation supports are the same thickness and the ceiling wire comes in different thickness both are available at a home depot or probably any home improvement store. Just a thought I had and i will be trying with my next catch dont know when ill get out though.

[@jfurbin01]

Been doing this method for years now, completely changes the texture, flavor and longevity of the fish. People that think you can only keep a fish for a day or 2 in the fridge need to learn this.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@feltn78]

Fantastic info, thanks so much looking forward to perfecting this method!

[@adamblum3096]

I have been doing research watching many videos on this method and was always wondering why someone did not come out and say to do this on all fish. One point Andrew may have overlooked is the majority of Fisherman especially with youtube channels just cut the gills and shove the fish into the live well to bleed them out. The depth of detail Andrew goes into is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. One last item I would suggest especially for new people to this method like myself would be to have a chart showing the location of the brain by species to help people identify the correct location for the brain spike. Excellent Video!

[@araldf]

Best explanation video I´ve seen so far about Ike Jime and the interesting cientific knowledge related to doing it

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@diegomelendez2001]

Bruh.. I've watched like 30 videos on ike method trying to find one with an image cut out of fish anatomy. This explanation and demo was on point. 🤙thanks

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it helped! Thanks for checking it out!

[@ObiWanShinobi1]

Andrew's love and respect for the fish really shows. Filleting on the spot is probably optimal, but I'd bet on game laws forbidding it.

[@DB-cx6cb]

Never too old to learn. Just ordered my Kookook Kit! Fished the majority of My 70 years with my father. What experience I gained wasn’t quite up to par with this 2 thousand year old technique from the Japanese. My father and I would bring fish home and of smell plus the meat favor was less than appreciated by our mom. I developed the love of Sushi by way of my daughters and really appreciate the Japanese in their perfecting the favors of fish. We Americans need to pay attention to detail for perfected taste in fish.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing the memory!

[@Rico11b]

As I was watching the first 6 mins of this video I was waiting to see which way he was going to attempt to enter the spinal cord. Would he go in from the tail or from the brain cavity. Going into the tail is ALWAYS the better way. I've seen many videos where they spike the fish and then they run the wire into the same hole which is totally wrong. It's to easy to miss the spinal cord by going in from the brain cavity. It's always a better method to go in from the tail. Good job discussing the Ike Jime method.

[@montemont4147]

thank you for the info. Try to find respect in everyday things

[@imadumas2]

This interviewer could teach a few "professional" interviewers a thing or two. Great job, good presentation.

[@gordoncrain739]

Great video Salt Strong! I have wondered when you would get around to discussing Ike Jime. I have been brain spiking / bleeding. Now I have a tool and directions for the spinal column. Thanks

[@Bigfish1day]

Great information but but I don’t have time for that when the bite is on.

[@noahjohns7954]

Great video guys!

[@johnathoncastro]

I've tried this with snapper and even flounder but I can't seem to find the right spot. How do you target the brain and find the spinal cord?

[@byrangarner9646]

On the Ike Jime website, they have a interactive display for different types of fish that show where to brain pierce them.

[@dvsmike]

He explained the spinal cord in this vid. Cut the tail and the canal is above the cord.

[@baramundi7800]

Thanks budy every day we learn something new

[@Keith.Vieira]

Just Purchased..can't wait to try it!!

[@michaelwu6830]

this is what we call "the brand" power. the a simple single wire,which can become a product and it makes lots of money from it! good staff, good staff

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@aliposhtpazan2625]

Thanks for the tips

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!!

[@ironforge039]

Thanks guys, great presentation

[@Saltstrong]

Our pleasure!

[@fierceflyer5]

Performing surgery on a fish on a boat rocking in 4’ seas. Sounds simple to me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@paulhuval]

Lol one of the things i was thinking and when you are catching trout two at a time i would never stop to do this to 25 trout. Maybe i can see if you only have a two or five fish limit.

[@Charsept]

Oh yeah, I've been in that situation and this tool really doesn't work well in that instance. That sounds like a good time for a "priest". Not sure it's called that in your neck of the woods but it's basically a short billy club.

[@dvsmike]

Keep em alive in a tank until you get to land and then process?

[@mrplow3874]

@@dvsmike no, that will stress the fish which negates what the ikejime process accomplishes.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Short baseball bat..

[@gegaoli]

Awesome segment!

[@saltyandsouthern]

Bleeding among anything is the number one way to help keep your fish in the best quality

[@bringit3164]

I need to start doing this....

[@jamesrahn8339]

Super interesting. Love it

[@richardlaw6279]

Hi I’m from Malaysia and really keen to know where I can purchase the featured contraption locally especially for inshore fishing. I’m truly fascinated by this video feature. Thanks 👍

[@filboyt657]

Just get a small automotive pick or awl and a solid strand of flexible wire. i use that as much as i use a kit from japan. syringe type tools are fine but the wire finds the area above the spine easy without it.

[@StayHomeEatGreat]

@@filboyt657 how about an ice pick?

[@richardlaw6279]

Thanks Filboyt for your assistance & guidance. Much appreciated. Cheers

[@johnyewtc1]

@@richardlaw6279 you can also try 100-200lb mono. Works great as well. I don't brain spike but just club them on the head with a foot long lead pipe, bleed , cut the tail and run the mono through the spinal cord.

[@richardlaw6279]

Thanks for the tip…👍🙏

[@scottdanielsproject]

How long before fileting will it make a difference? IOW, if I normally filet fish (when possible) within minutes of catching them, will this process make a difference?

[@scottdanielsproject]

That's considering both fish are bled, which I do as a habit.

[@Saltstrong]

Typically, most wait until they are done fishing for the day. As most game wardens would not take nicely to harvesting on the water or before you're done fishing for the day!

[@scottdanielsproject]

@@Saltstrong true that. 99% of my fishing is in Mexico by kayak or in the surf. When surf fishing I often process my fish and feed the gulls, and I typically clean kayak-caught fish at the launch. So, I was asking about a timeline. Most the fish I filet are still kicking on the beach, and within a couple hours on the kayak, where this process could be a little tough, especially with larger species.

[@eagleeye761]

what do you have to say about bleeding the fish?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3zVOlHI

[@GheenoeLifeLT25]

Yeah, it’s going straight in the cooler 🤣🤣🤣. Seriously, very interesting. Brought back memories of my gross anatomy years

[@withoutprejudice8301]

Give an old phillips screwdriver a point and an old guitar string a re-purposing and your set.

[@aln6242]

How long does the fish "live" for after iki jime without bleeding? Is it possible to ikijime and then bleed a couple hours later?

[@herewegofans]

Step 3, never done, gonna try. All other steps doing already. Step 3, slit and stuff. Gotcha. Question, when can we retract the wire from step 3? Does it insert and then is removed, or stay for min, 10 min, etc? Serious question.

[@Saltstrong]

It can be inserted then removed. It does not need to stay in the fish for an extended time period.

[@russellkasprzyk4934]

Does it make the meat more bio available , and does it help release contaminants from the meat?

[@Enjoytheoutdoors]

Where do we find this tool?

[@Saltstrong]

On their website or we have an exclusive discount only for our Insider Members!

[@williamcornelison4721]

Will bring up you page and hope to see this done to a real fish...

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3zVOlHI

[@kpocala1061]

Is brain location different on different fish?

[@rambojones8711]

So do you guys the fish after you bleed it and then put the cord into spine

[@rambojones8711]

Gutt**

[@TheNockingPoint]

thank you! I am going to start treating my harvested fish with more respect.

[@markwatson5984]

Brilliant 👍🏽

[@johnnywilkinson9736]

The spike, the gills, the wire.... but no mention of gutting the fish. Please say what to do

[@stephenallen6709]

very cool !

[@VizagFish]

Wonderful

[@Jeschitown]

Where can we purchase this kit?

[@Saltstrong]

You can find out more info here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/ike-jime-method/?KZbin&KZbin-description&Fishing-tips&

[@ilovenythismuchilovenewyor5801]

what if we just fillet the fish right away and toss the carcass back in the water for the crabs and other things that live off eating a dead fish

[@evanpapp2712]

Sorry that's illegal

[@benh5774]

Blue fin tuna yes, my mangrove snapper, prob not lol

[@the45er]

My BS meter is spiking on this video, BUT, I'll be the first to admit that I have no proof that this process doesn't work. As stated below, I don't see doing this to fish while reeling them in. When fish are biting, I'm fishing, not poking holes in their brains! Secondly, I'd love to see an unbiased "taste" study to see if there really is any difference between a fish treated with this method vs one just thrown on ice and cleaned later. I do believe some fish (e.g. mackerel) need to be bled immediately to improve taste, but brain spiked? Why can't you just wash the blood out of the fillet? Lastly, they'll be serving snow cones in hell before I pay $30-40 for an "ice pick" I could make with a small steel rod and a five inch length of one inch dowel rod!

[@justinmacri306]

Vox has a video of a taste test between Ike Jime vs. Iced fish, the taste difference happens after the fish has been stored for a couple days. Ike Jime fish keep their fresh flavor because the enzyme/bacteria whatever never seeped into the meat and over time broken down the tissue. If you're going to eat the fish right away, it's unlikely you'll taste a difference between Ike Jime and traditional blunt object incapacitation. That all being said, I've never tried it before either but am planning on just doing the "ice pick" technique rather than the whole spine threading thing.

[@cmm8622]

My non-proven BS meter is spiking LOL!

[@martins.7175]

Hey guys more stuff you “need to buy”

[@bigk3381]

I honestly watched this and went over parts twice, I get it... 😟 FISHING HAS JUST BECOME LIKE WORK.

[@chhindz]

Did not mention gutting fish. shouldn't that be done pronto for quality?

[@rayhudson7873]

One question is that what they did many years ago

[@withoutprejudice8301]

All blood coagulates quickly, not just fish. I agree with the principle of this technique but advise potential buyers to compare the price of the "tools" required against what they actually are...., a pointed screwdriver and a guitar/piano string. Just because someone can attach an Oooh - Ahhhh factor to something DOES NOT make it proprietary or unique.

[@joegarcia3154]

Totally new to me. Sorry but it all still taste the same to me when I'm fish frying and drinking some beer.

[@Mittenpaw]

Bruh most people still gonna bleed it out.. this would be especially useful for long trips out

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Be careful making cuts in a fish that the grouper troopers (FWC, DNR) will say change the length of the fish.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@jimmorrison9319]

I got a screwdriver!

[@dannydnice1]

A 9mm will be a good circuit breaker

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@simmias9397]

The blood stream doesn’t hold bacteria from a healthy fish…unless you’re saying all fish are septic.

[@biologicalhunter520]

The blood stream will hold very low levels of bacteria. It's just that the white blood cells will take care of them before they become a problem. But once that blood stops pumping, the blood cells die, but the bacteria doesn't. And it multiples extremely fast in nutrient dense environments like in blood

[@simmias9397]

@@biologicalhunter520 so fish are constantly septic then. There shouldn’t be any bacteria in any healthy organisms blood stream.

[@Charsept]

This or a priest, great meat-preserving and relatively humane options.

[@calebmorgan25]

Interesting tool, but realistically I don’t think anyone is going to have time for all of this when they’re on a good bite

[@agawied2910]

Not that good of a bite I the fish ain’t prepared well

[@filboyt657]

Just get a $2 walmart / harbor freight small pick or awl and a strand of wire. takes no extra time after you've done it twice.

[@calebmorgan25]

@@agawied2910 bleeding the fish alone does just fine. This is another unnecessary tool that takes up room in a fisherman’s tackle box

[@vladimirlopez7840]

@@calebmorgan25yup. A lot of bio chemical this and that sounds like snake oil.

[@zw5509]

Commercially? Mackerel, cod and herring? Or just the special fish? Icing down does it's job, every time. Understand Bleeding fish, the rest...?

[@filboyt657]

removing the stress from the meat as you catch them really improve the taste (Spine wire), no lactic acid build up. if you let the fish die on a stringer this will do nothing. it takes no time after you do it twice. If you are like my ol man, he brain spikes em then does small cut near the tail and runs wire from back of fish. usually on a kayak.

[@zw5509]

@@filboyt657 not practical in any but a few commercial situations. I bleed out most I do not release. Very effective and part of what was described.

[@cyvonn]

This looks incredibly complicated. I want to try but my fear is torturing and hacking up the poor fish in it's last moments of life.

[@Saltstrong]

Let us know if you try it out!

[@withoutprejudice8301]

Cracks me up that all this medical terminology/explanation is being used (to justify the cost of a pointed screwdriver & a length of guitar string)

[@OkeeeDokey]

Omg seriously? How many Doctors are going to be out on your boat and know each anatomy of each species you catch that day?

[@Joe-dz7kj]

Saltstrong! Get this man on a boat to do a live example please. Specimen should be a flounder, sheepshead or drum. Please make it happen.

[@Saltstrong]

We'll work on it!

[@jldolan4]

The Japanese are as nuts about their fish as they are about their rice. If your diet is dependent upon of fish and rice, you’ll learn a thing or two and this might be the thing for you. If fish sticks and tater-tots is your idea of fine dining, then maybe not.

[@markwallace1251]

Only way I keep fish.....

[@CPDLee]

OK,OK I’ll just go to the supermarket much easier.

[@pugh7755]

Seriously? $30 for nothing more than an ice pick? And $20 for a piece of 16 gauge wire? No thanks.

[@Saltstrong]

👍

[@livenhfree]

This video could have been done in two minutes. :-( Also, hitting the brain isn't simple. And each fish is different. Try comparing a Striped Bass to a Flounder.

[@andrewhirtle3525]

This is just what they use on cattle but smaller, totally unnecessary

[@Northwestfishingfanatics]

Another gimmick.

[@Saltstrong]

We are sorry you didn't care for this video. Our goal is to reach anglers of all skill levels. We hope you enjoy the next one!

[@dvsmike]

Yes! Finally a product available in the United States! I had to buy one from Japan and during covid it took a couple of months to get it. Im definitely going to use this vendor. I just started fishing but haven't gotten to actually fishing yet. Went twice with no catches and realized i gotta get up early or go late and i am neither one of those types. When i do, ike jime is the only way to go for me.