Hunting Octopuses...

[HoleInTheSky]

Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest? I found 2 today and before i had the chance to catch them they went back into their hole in the reef...

[Ryvor]

Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest? I found 2 today and before i had the chance to catch them they went back into their hole in the reef...

Yes, there is an instructional video.

Here is the link:

http://www.fhm.com/site/bigeye/link.asp?http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6596

[Wayward Son]

Often you'll find shells around the den. Move them around & wait. After a while the octo will come out to put them back where he had them.

[Quetzal]

Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest? I found 2 today and before i had the chance to catch them they went back into their hole in the reef...
Here we go again.

"Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest?"

No, but I'll bet this will make the octopus lovers come out.

[Quetzal]

Yes, there is an instructional video.

Here is the link:

http://www.fhm.com/site/bigeye/link.asp?http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6596
Cool video.
I love it when he says the defeated Octopus. Looks like the octopus put some serious fear into that diver.

[Rick Inman]

Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest? I found 2 today and before i had the chance to catch them they went back into their hole in the reef...
First post. Trolling, or just a natural? Sock puppet? Or are you really that bored?

Best way to get it out of the hole is to shoot it with your spear gun and haul it out.

[Doc Intrepid]

Looks like he annoyed the living crap out of it and it was trying to make a point.

Should submit that video to "Stupid People Tricks" on TV...

Don't get them out of their holes to begin with. Leave them alone...

[Wayward Son]

Can't eat them if you leave them alone.

[Reagan]

Can't eat them if you leave them alone.

Maybe thats the point.....

[wedivebc]

Yes, there is an instructional video.

Here is the link:

http://www.fhm.com/site/bigeye/link.asp?http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6596
Do you know where that video was filmed? It looks like the wreck of the Saskatchewan in Nanaimo

[Wayward Son]

I fail to get that point. This is a forum for hunting underwater critters. Octos are such critters, they are good to eat. Someone asked about hunting them.

I gave a legitimate answer. Others are hammering on the "leave them alone" theme.

Based on the rules clearly laid out at the top of the forum, this seems to me to be the wrong way to respond to this thread.

No?

[Wayward Son]

These rules, in case they have been overlooked:

"The Underwater Hunting Forum is here to discuss where to hunt, how to hunt, hunting equipment, seafood recipes and hunting adventures. It is not the place for folks who are not underwater hunters (or at least have an interest in becoming underwater hunters). If you're here to complain about spearfishing or lobstering or any other kind of hunting underwater you've come to the wrong place. If you have any questions at all about whether a post is appropriate here, please PM me first and I'll be happy to screen it for you.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Rick"

[Quetzal]

A Big I'm Sorry to Rick Inman, for those who saw this post before I edited it! My mistake. Got you mixed up w/ someone else.

[Ana]

Anyone knows if there is a way to make an octopus come out of it's nest? I found 2 today and before i had the chance to catch them they went back into their hole in the reef...

You need a lot of patience and some luck. You wiggle your fingers in front of the guy and eventually it will come out. Then grab him quick and pull the mantle inside out. Think of it as pulling a sock inside out.
Don't forget to break the molecular tissue before you eat it. Either freeze it or beat the c@#$p out of it before cooking it. Then when is time to cook it, have the water superheated, use either tongs or a colander to dip and remove from the water 3 times. This will allow the outer skin to shrink.
Eat it while is hot sprinkling a bit of paprika and sea salt over it.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/Pulpo.jpg

[Quetzal]

Don't forget to break the molecular tissue before you eat it. Either freeze it or beat the c@#$p out of it before cooking it.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/Pulpo.jpg

So that’s why the one time I cooked one it tasted good but had the consistency of a rubber band?

[Hyper-limits]

Do you know where that video was filmed? It looks like the wreck of the Saskatchewan in Nanaimo

I think it is the Chaudiere.

[Doc Intrepid]

actually, if you want a recipe that DOESN'T taste like you're chewing a Michelin tire, the Guamanians score the flesh in a diamond pattern and bake it in a casserole with a white sauce. Low heat, long baking time, it keeps it tender and moist.

[NutJob]

MMMM...sushi!

[HoleInTheSky]

Thanks for those that gave me a proper answer.

[shooter226]

I fail to get that point. This is a forum for hunting underwater critters. Octos are such critters, they are good to eat. Someone asked about hunting them.

I gave a legitimate answer. Others are hammering on the "leave them alone" theme.

Based on the rules clearly laid out at the top of the forum, this seems to me to be the wrong way to respond to this thread.

No?

I agree with you 100% Wayward. Perhaps some postings of dead fish like on Spear board would make them sick and they won't open this thread. Keep up the interesting posts my friend. :crafty:

[Wayward Son]

I personally am interested in good recipes for octos. I do like to eat them, but have not cooked any myself yet.

[menemsha43]

In the Greek islands they are so good simply grilled over charcoals with a little lemon and maybe some olive oil. I'm not sure how the fisherman get them there frankly - I should have asked. There is a restaurant in NYC called Babbo (Italian place owned by Mario Batali) - the grilled octopus appetizer is simply off-the-charts.

[robbcayman]

Yes, there is an instructional video.

Here is the link:

http://www.fhm.com/site/bigeye/link.asp?http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=6596

This is why you need a good dive knife. Even if you couldnt' see if you could find your knife and start stabbing him. I guarantee he lets you go after a few nice strikes.

[Tasarsailor]

In Oregon and Washington it is illegal to harvest them with anything pointy. They are legal to harvest and the limit is one per day. I have yet to find anyone willing to discuss technique openly. Until this thread that is...

I have also heard of folks surfacing while the octo is attached to them. I have also heard that some have coaxed them into their goody bags. I can't imagine how any of this is tried and true in each case.

I have not had the good fortune to get one hunting yet. My buddy got a big one out of his crab pot. He had quite an adventure getting it out of the pot and into the fish box. It was good!!! How many times to you have to have the opportunity to eat a couple pounds of tako in one sitting?

Is there anyone out there that has actually caught a decent size GPO?

TN

[Hank49]

I personally am interested in good recipes for octos. I do like to eat them, but have not cooked any myself yet.

Wayward, one of the best ways I've had octo is "poki". It's pounded until tender, boiled and slice into thin pieces. Then marinated in sesame oil and toasted seeds with a little ginger, green onions and ogo, or this crunchy seaweed. It's really goooooood. You can do tuna the same way. Hawaiians have it wired.

[Wayward Son]

I wouldn't simply put one in a goody bag. They're both strong & smart, they figure things out. Nor would I want one hanging on me, no telling what he might decide to grab.

Another way to kill them is to use a sharp knife. There is a nerve behind the eyes, cut it & problem solved.

[Uncle Pug]

Is there anyone out there that has actually caught a decent size GPO?

Is 65 pounds a decent size GPO?

[renaissancemanjoshua]

OK so I've got to pull up an old reply on this one and raise a silly question. Why and how would one pull the mantle on an octo inside out? I am having a hard time visualizing that one.

[Ana]

OK so I've got to pull up an old reply on this one and raise a silly question. Why and how would one pull the mantle on an octo inside out? I am having a hard time visualizing that one.


Why? to kill him fast. Once you get a hold of the animal it is not a good idea to waste time.

How? I'm not sure I can describe the steps to follow. I guess if you handle a dead octo first then you can get a better idea of what is it that you need to do.
.

[Mandy3206]

Don't get them out of their holes to begin with. Leave them alone...


On a camera dive, I would look them and keep my distance, but on a spearo dive, I would shoot it and bag it in a flash.

This is the hunting forum Doc.

[fast97rs]

They are good eating.... i got a little one a while ago and they do taste good on the grill with plenty of lemon and some olive oil...... i guess they will also taste good fried... like squid... but havn't tried it.....

But be carefull... remember they are a preditor fish...don't follow one into its den... just shoot them when you come by them in open water/on the bottom.... i've seen them come after pieces of fish... would make sense to leave a fish on the tip of your spear, and when the little ******* comes out to get it... feed him some cold steal!!! Seems like sound logic.... but don't know how to get a kill shot on em.... i usually shoot em and haul them up! They are too small to fight too much but are usually wraped firmly around my shaft.... don't know about shooting bigger ones? Or even whether to shoot a bigger one on a line or free shaft... even though you can cut the line...:)

Watching the video... makes you wonder were his buddy was that whole damn time? Seriously... i would have kicked my buddies ***... "O, i was filming the episode... 'well... i guess you should film me putting my foot up your a*s!!!!'"

"life and death" situation and the buddy if about 20'sw above filming the damn thing!

Jorgy

[Shaka Doug]

I find the easiest way to get them out of their hole is to simply reach in and try to get behind them. It takes patience and they will grab onto your hand sometimes. Be careful not to get bitten, I think gloves might be a good idea. I would never hunt to kill without gloves myself. I catch octopus all the time with my bare hands. They aren't very big here in Hawaii but I have caught an occasional 5 or 6 pounder and they can put up quite a fight. Tako Poke was mentioned before and I'll have to admit, I've eaten it a few times and it is quite delicious. I'm not against eating them if that's what you want to do but most of the ones I grab I only shoot with my camera. They really are fun to play with!

[Mandy3206]

Some guys here have a 3ft stick or rod and attach a fishing hook to the tip, then they slide the rod under the octo and pull back hooking the octo.

I've never tried this myself, but I've heard it many times

[Oli]

I usually use my poker ( a metal stick), if you don't have one, use your knife. Inspect the exits of the nest, poke the octopus with a poker or knife and place the other hand at the exit, where its' head is facing. Once the octopus swims out, hold the head. Don't know the right way to hold it yet, but pretty positive that I have to hold the head.

[renaissancemanjoshua]

When I was in Hawaii a local friend of mine taught me to never kill an Octo in it's hole. According to the locals this will prevent another Octo from moving in for awhile. Following this advise, many times when we got the Octo out of his hole, another had moved in the next day.

[rgbmatt]

The way to get an octopus out of its hole is to poke it repeatedly with your knife (or some other poking device). The octopus will soon get annoyed, grab your arm, and leave the hole. Then you can grab it and dispatch it at your leisure. It works every time and is great not only for catching dinner, but for showing octopi to new divers, students, etc.

I agree that it's not a good idea to try killing octopi while still in the hole. It's a big waste if you injure the animal and can't get it out.

[MilitantMedic]

(The message that was here was not written by me)

[Oli]

Anyone knows the legal size to hunt in Hawaii??

[MilitantMedic]

1 pound whole

[Tim220171]

1 pound whole

Hi ,I live in the costa del sol , south of spain.
went snorkling around a rocky cove , 4-5 m water, which is known for octopus last weekend went again this weekend but saw bugger all this time.
took a string bag wore 3mm neoprene gloves ( always do anyway ) and took a metal rod bent into a large hook at the end. Its good for digging around under rock ledges or big rocky outcrops.
Well I made the mistake of trying to hook this octopus when he was under a rock . Got hold of him alright but couldnt pull him out. Took me 4 attempts diving up and down before I got him out ( he was trying to make a run for it ) turns out he was about 5 -6 lbs ( no wonder he was so tough ) Made a final dive on him when he was out in the open got inked like crazy but he was injured and tired . Put him on the hook and got him ashore. ( hoped I could have killed him quicker really , didnt like him suffering ) I havent seen one this size before except when I went diving at 25 m
I dont have much experience with catching them so hearing about turning it inside out sounds usefull but with one this size I was a bit wary about grabbing it and they are bloody slippery as well , cant get much grip even with ribbed gloves.
Still beat it and cut it up ,( saw the size of its beak as I was preparing it - dont think I would have wanted that sinking into my hand , I know what it can do with shellfish and the like ). Had it on the boil for about 1 and a half hours . tasted good but I think that smaller pieces and another half hour would have been perfect. Couldnt finish it though - well and truly filled the plate !

[urmegr]

At our local dive sites when leading tours we like to play octopus volleyball. To get it out you dont need to jab at it with your knife. Anything metal, your knife or inflator hose works great. just hold it against them and they will come out. they dont like metal and will come out every time unless they have a big enough hole to get away from it. doesn't harm them and they will be around the next day to play with again. If you can try to put them back in the same hole so you'll know where to find it. as long as you dont harass them too many times in the same day they wont change houses. I've played with the same octo for weeks at a time. once you have them out, if you stroke them on the top of the head it will usually calm them down. as for volley ball, when they swim toward a diver he just puts his hand in front of his head and redirects him to another diver. VERY IMPORTANT --- if you are not planning to eat the octo, dont wear gloves, they remove the protective slime on them and opens them up to disease.
Yes, I eat Octupus. and I use the same method. they come out much easier when you are not jabbing them with your knife.

[MilitantMedic]

Hey isn't Octopi? Versus Octopuses?

[Tim220171]

Hey isn't Octopi? Versus Octopuses?
yeah actaully , youre right , just like hippopotaMUS IS HIPPOPOTOMI (PLURAL)


Whant would you call a group of octopi ?
A school of octopi ? A group of octopi ? A flock ? A gaggle ? A pod ? A Team ??
A squad ???? An ensemble !? !!??? ..... lol

[Mandy3206]

Does anybody remembers the James Bond movie "Octopussy"?

Mmmmmmmmm!!!

[Tim220171]

Yeah I remember it . Always been quite a fan of Bond. That blue ring octopus , is it for real ? is it poisonous ?

[MilitantMedic]

I vote for ensemble of Octopi.