I am looking to improve my fish cleaning techniques so as to not waste as much of the fish as I do. Because of my lack of skill in this area, I tend to cook smaller fish whole. However, over the years I have seen folks that could fillet even the smaller fish that I end up cooking whole and haveing to eat around the bones or lateral line.
Thus far, I have been unsuccessful in finding some web sites that address this - it's my fault for not knowing enough about internet searches to narrow it down.
Now here are the questions:
Does anyone know of a place I could find on the internet that deals with this specifically ?
What recommendations would there be as far as an electric fillet knife(for those big catfish and such) ? I've seen rechargeables and pluging models - Has anyone had experience with particular brands that are good or ones that should not be considered ?
Does everyone use a board with a nail or a clamp to hold the fish while filleting ? In the past I have only used one of those specially designed fillet gloves to hold the fish down.
Usually I have just released big fish in the past(I know the small ones generally taste better) but there are times I would like to(or have to because of injuries to the fish) take one home for big fillets. The reality is that I have been somewhat intimidated by the task of cleaning the larger fish and knowing that I would botch it in that a lot of meat would be wasted or end up as pet food for my house cat.
If anyone can or would care to have mercy on me and help me be more efficient in this, I would deeply appreciate any assistance. Thank you in advance for your help.
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The almighty TubeDude has a nice writeup about filleting fish....now I just need to find it.
I recently switched to a powered fillet knife, and it makes a HUGE difference. I used to think people were just blowing smoke by talking up their electic knives. I thought they must be too lazy to sharpen their knives, and that with a sharp blade, it would be easy to keep up. I sure was wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if I cut my fillet time in half! (pun intended) I have a cordless version, but I'm sure the corded versions work just as well, and of course they will last longer if you have a bunch of fish to fillet. My knife brand is American Angler, and I think most guys on here use that particular brand, but I'm sure some of the other brands are good to have as well.
As far as a board, I just use a plastic cutting board. Nothing fancy, but it works well for me. I've never tried the special fillet boards, so others will have to chime in here.
Those "y" bones you mention (some call them lateral bones), are pesky, and getting them out can be a chore. If the fish are bigger fish, 24" plus, you can use a needle driver or a forcep to pick each bone out. If the fish are smaller, the simplest thing to do is to make a diagonal incision on each side of the line of bones, and then peel out that small section of meat. You will loose some meat here, but it is nice to have a truly boneless fillet.
Good luck in your quest. I think one of the most important parts of filleting is practice. I'm no expert, and heck every once in a while, I butcher some poor swimmer, but it sure makes cooking and eating them more enjoyable.
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[#505000]I switched to a cordlesss electric knife and I agree with TKB it makes a world of difference. I also use a wooden fillet board with the head clap. The clamp is only good for "skinny" headed fish like trout though. A big catfish's head is too wide. [/#505000]
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[#505000]Even with a lot of practice you will occassionaly bugger up a fillet. On those I try to salvage what meat I can and the rest goes to my compost pile to make nice rich soil for yard projects. I always hate when I do that!! [mad][/#505000]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I'll second the electric fillet knife. I've got three. Two 120v and one 12v and I'll never be without one again. Sometimes there's no substitue for a good conventional knife at times but your electrics will work for most applications around here.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]You want to learn to clean fish? Go down to the cleaning station and watch guys who know how to do it. Watch deckhands on a charter boat. Those boys make their living cleaning fish.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]The 'Dude does have quite a write up on his set up and in typical 'Dude fashion, which we would expect no less, has taken it to the enth degree. You won't need all the stuff he has but it's fun to look at and form your own ideas.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]What type of fillet board makes a big difference. Some use plastic boards or wood boards with a poly finish. Too slick for me. I end up chasing stuff around the board. My recommendation is a piece of waferboard exterior siding. The kind typically used to attach vinyl siding to. What I like about it is that after a few uses, the fibers on the wood start to stand up from the water on it. These fibers will actually keep the fish from slipping. Even with a bunch of blood, slime, etc, the fish don't slid around when filleting them.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I also like it because you can cut an "oversize" board that is large enough to handle larger fish. Too many boards are just too small without enough working space.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I simply take a high power nozzle on the garden house to clean and let it dry in the sun. Some guys will tell you not to use wood but wood has been used for centuries as a cutting board material. The secret is to clean it good and let it dry. I have a couple of these cheap boards that I've used for years. To replace it, find a new house contruction site and ask for some of their scraps.[/size][/black][/font]
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Hey there BLM,
How's bout I hang around the BFT tourny fish fry and maybe pick up a pointer or two ? I'm sure that at least one of the participants will catch something like a fish. Heck(if it's ok to say that here) I even volunteer to clean all the fish - if someone will show how do it right.
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hi chuck hit me up in about three months when i get back from alaska and i'll show you how to fillet some fish i used to work on sportboats and cleaned fish for seven years i'd be happy to show you some pointers
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Hey TD,
I should have known you'd have this stuff kind of handy. I want to get with you some time for the live version of a big cat fillet demo.
While reading your info, I realized why I was having some difficulties. I am one of the ones you refered to when you mentioned all the cutting and nailing down. I also have been fighting with myself because of an acrylic cutting board that is kind of slick when fish slime or blood is on it. I tried using a large "C" clamp that "kind of worked", but, with the board being too small and slick it didn't help that much. Well to make it even more embarassing, I didn't cut the fillets off at the tail - after the cut along the back bone, I just flipped it like I would with most any other fish and tried to cut the skin off - it has never worked well, and as you would imagine, the results have been an inspiration to perfect my catch and release techniques.
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Hey Chris,
I'll do that ! Enjoy your Alaskan summer "vacation" on the trawler. One question though - will you need a fall fishing vacation to get away from your summer of fishing ?
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[#505000]Hey Fishhound, if you're volunteering to clean all the fish you are welcome to fish with me anytime!!!!!! [
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Hey svpdgcar,
Yea, I'll clean'em all - but, you did read the part where I wrote that you'll have to show me how to do it right first - didn't you ? Let's go catch some for practice sometime !
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[#505000]Just tell me where and when and I'll be there!![/#505000] [cool]
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I fish alot - so, the "when" would be more related to your schedule. The where we can work out easy enough - I also like to fish anywhere for anything. PM me and we can narrow it down a little more.
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Hey a sharp knife or electric knife both work well. You just need someone to show you and let you do it. Practice,practice,practice thats what ya have to do. If you ever see me fishing i can show you how to fillet fish.I am going to be usually at lincoln ,e-lake ,huntington,or scofield most of the summer.You can identify me by my kids and boxer.
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I've found the easiest and fastest way to clean fish is to immediately remove the hook and drop the fish back into the lake, stream or body of water.
Then before you get home, stop at the nearest fish market and pick up the fillets of your choice. They always taste better, no waste...and usually have a much better selection.
Practice CPR. Catch...photograph...and Release.
Tight lines.
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I'm pretty sure I have seen you fishing before, I know I have seen a guy with kids and a boxer on the bank this year - it may have been you. Besides Utah Lake and Willard, I have been to Scofield, and E-lake this year as well, but not Huntington. If you've seen a guy with two hounds that wouldn't let him fish without help - that would be me.
Thanks for the offer and I'll be the ugly guy(possibly with hounds) but certainly with the ugly hat, approaching you out of the blue toting fish and fillet knife in hand and begging for some tips on the how to.
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The catch and release method of cleaning has been my method of choice for most fish I have ever caught - I usually only keep the ones that look like they have limited chances of surviving release. It's not unusual that in a day of fishing I might end up with a few that were too injured to release or I might want to have some fish for dinner - I like to eat fish, almost any kind. Especially fresh fish. But, I'm tired of muttering to myself "I really ought to learn how to do this" while I turn out pounds of house cat food as the major by-product of my day's fishing.
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