Rockport Report

[fish_fear_me2]

Nice job on the perch! I used to hate the knife work until I got an electric.  Now I can buzz through a batch of panfish pretty quick.  They fillet easier than most other varieties and you know the tasty results.

Looks like ice fishing is going to have some big perch to pursue at a few different lakes this year.

Do you (or anyone) have a favorite type of electric buzz saw for fillet work? I was pursuing online and the offerings are numerous, but I think  its time I join the modern era.

I have been a solid fan of the American Angler knives...110 volt and 12 volt portables...for quite a few years.  I got a Bubba Blade electric the first of this year and in my experienced opinion there is no finer.  A bit spendy but in terms of strength, efficiency, multiple blades, comfort and ergonomics it is superior in every way.  I got the 110 volt but know some serious anglers who got the rechargeable battery models and they love theirs too.

I once worked both in commercial fishing and on party boats in California.  I learned to swing a "regular" fillet knife pretty well and can still go through a stack of fish in short order.  But once I got used to letting the electric knife do most of the heavy lifting it was faster and more efficient.  Less effort and better end results.

Maybe we can do a meetup on Willard or some other water with a fish cleaning station sometime.  I will be happy to demo three different models of knives I use.  Anybody who likes perch or other panfish will giggle when they see how fast and efficient it is to zip off those small fillets with an electric.  Ditto for strong boned fish like catfish.  You can get a hernia (hisnia) from trying to hack through the tough ribs of a kitty with a regular blade.  But the electric just glides through them like nothing.

Pat isnt kidding about his skill with an electic fillet knife. Take him up on the offer if you get a chance.