How to get the stones out of a wsb head
I only have 2 sets of stones from wsb. The rest I never retrieved because I was too lazy or turned the head in to Hubbs. There are 3 methods for getting the stones out.
1. Donate the head to Hubbs. Then on the tag that you attach to the head make sure to make a note that you want the stones back. They will mail them to you free of charge
. Most landings will take the heads for you. Probably the easiest way but it takes a couple weeks to get the stones back.
2. The stones can be found by splitting the head open with a meat cleaver down the middle. A hatchet works good, or a hammer and chisel. No joke. Split the head in half from the top between the eyes. Feel around in the compartments behind the eyes. Sorry, no pics of this one. Down side is you often break the stones trying to get them out.
3. Cut away some of the gills and soft tissue on the roof of the mouth of the seabass. Be careful as the gills can cut up your hands bad. Then use an expendable but sturdy knife to break open the bone cavity underneath. Use your fingers to get the stones out. Down side to this method is you can break the stones trying to get them like this too. Here is a picture showing exactly where they are with the cavity already broken open:
The knife tip is in the cavity with the stones. Feel around with your fingers or tweezers and pull them out. Breaking into the cavity might break a weak knife. That is why a crappy expendable knife is good. This method requires less brute force than #2.
