Spiking them between the eyes with the point of a knife or other sharp implement does the job for me....probably not as humane as the ice trick, but very quick.
I have found a good way to kill squid. I used the tool below. You put it in the mouth of the squid (insert about 4 or 5 cm) and spin the tool around. It kills them very quickly. I can't explain how it works but the effect was almost instant.
I have tried it just once (since I only got one squid on the weekend) but I am keen to give it another shot soon.
It is just a steel rod with a "L" hook on the end. It doesn't look like much but it works really well! <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':beer' />
A friend gave it to me. I don't think you can buy them in australia. This one is from japan. But I think you could make one yourself easily enough.
I just wish I knew HOW it works <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' />
I think your 'tool' destroys the squid's brain. If you insert 4-5cm then twist, I reckon you'd be in the right spot to wreck the brain, according to this pic I found.
ahhh....so thats what it does... <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' />
All i do with the squid we get is grab them just behind the head and squeese as hard as you can . Within a few seconds th coulor is gone and the squid is dead.
if you want humane. icy water to get them good and dulled to any kind of pain or stick them in the freezer afterwards, they will die in there sleep then. or if you dont want to wait the extra few minutes then yea numb em and knock there brain outta orbit.
i've always given them a hard pinch behind the eyes
then into an ice slurry
now i don't know if it is the cuddle or the ice <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
have to try the fresh water (makes sence) if it doesn't affect the flavour
i do the same thing when killing baits for rigging as swim/skip baits
when you put them in fresh water they die very quickly and with their mouths shut (much easier to rig)