Filleting a Fish

[HasterT]

Hey guys,
I want to try some different techniques of filleting fish, and would love your tips and if you have any videos that would be awesome, I struggle a lot with really oily fish like ocean trout, and also with the tools is there any other items that you would recommend that would help massive with filleting fish.

Thanks!

 

[jimwarden]

Besides an electric knife? With fish on its side on nice flat surface, cut down lightly just behind the head behind the gills. Then turn knife parallel to the board and cut along the backbone right through the bones around the stomach/lungs almost to the tail (not all the way through) flip it skin side down on nice flat surface and keep cutting underneath the filet close to the skin until the skin is off. Use small sharp knife to trim the bones, stomach, and lungs right off and toss that, leaving nice filet. Rinse with cold water. If you see any strings of slightly darker connective tissue pull it off with your hands and toss. When you have it cooking give us a shout.

Another suggestion is if you know you’re going to be keeping fish take ice along, and as soon as you catch a fish throw it right on top of that ice in a cooler. Really preserves the fish and the flavor. Makes cleaning ten times easier as the meat is denser and knife cuts through it like butter.

 

[Bassman tr21]

You can always look on you tube. They have some good stuff

 

[ezebassn]

Electric fillet knife only way to go. Some are better than others but the cheap black and Decker from Walmart work well. I would suggest trying out bluegill, small and easy fish to clean. If you mess up at least it's small and not losing much meat. I don't approve of tossing away if you mess up but you can still salvage the other side after you learn from your mistake. Also very tasty fried up and holds together better than crappie. Any leftover scraps (meat,heads etc.) can be used for catfish bait too.

 

[HasterT]

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Electric fillet knife only way to go. Some are better than others but the cheap black and Decker from Walmart work well. I would suggest trying out bluegill, small and easy fish to clean. If you mess up at least it's small and not losing much meat. I don't approve of tossing away if you mess up but you can still salvage the other side after you learn from your mistake. Also very tasty fried up and holds together better than crappie. Any leftover scraps (meat,heads etc.) can be used for catfish bait too.

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Thanks so much for your input. I already had my eyes on the Mister Twister electric fillet knife.

 

[wjhfish]

If using an electric knife I would recommend the American Angler Electric knife. I have used mine on bluegill, crappie, bass, ocean fish etc. If using a regular fillet knife I recommend the Bubba Blade. They both work great. The important thing is to take your time.