Filet-O-Fish

[WiseGuy]

I know you old pros have it down pat ;). Just thought I'd put out a how-to for any beginners. Of course, there's more than one way to clean a fish - this is mine.

This is a Lake Erie walleye from the 03 class - they are just keepers this year, but great eaters. An extremely mild fish. Blessed to live by this great lake. We've been limiting out every trip this year. This lake is an example how nature can rebound after being abused the way it was decades ago. The lake holds only 2% of great lakes volume, yet easily produces more fish than the others combined. Come up and enjoy.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0359.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0360.jpg
Cutting down each side of the 'backbone' you'll feel the knife ticking the ribs.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0361.jpg
When you get past the rib cage, poke straight through to just past the butthole and draw the knife through the rest of the way staying next to the backbone.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0362.jpg
Work around the rib cage and slice off the fillet.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0363.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0364.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0365.jpg
There we go - do the other side.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0354.jpg
Nothing left but one self contained package to discard.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0355.jpg
Slip the knife between the meat and skin and just push it through keeping the knife down against the skin.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0366.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/WiseGuy_/fillet/PICT0367.jpg

Dust with 'ShoreLunch' and fry up.

Gotta go clean up my camera - what was I thinking!

[Mac_Attack]

That's the way! Nice job Wise Guy. Billy Mac ;D

[parishht]

Did anybody see the Gorton's ad with the square fish?

Now that would be a great fish to fillet.

[C YENSEN]

THANKS MAN.

VERY INFORMATIVE FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING ;D

[macojoe]

Thats the way we do it here!!

Good read!! Thanks

[Stinky_Hooker]

Good stuff for sure!!!

Do any of yall use electric fillet knives? I do and love em, but there has only been one that continually holds up for me.

The Salwater Piranha

http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/piranha_knife.jpg




I have cleaned tons of snapper, reds, trout, Ajs, flounder, etc.... and she burns right through em! 8)


Not tryin to derail, sorry just wondering how people from other areas do things. :)

[willy]

Plus that has other attachments huh Stinky ::)

[Stinky_Hooker]

Plus that has other attachments huh Stinky ::)


Dont you know it brother. 8)

[macojoe]

I have always wondered how they work?

Does it always stay sharp to do flounder?? Do you skin with it also??

[Stinky_Hooker]

Wow, so yall really havent used em huh?

Well there is no other way for me! I have used em all my life and my dad did even when I was little.

MJ, the way they works is they have two blades that lay together and move simultaneously in the opposite direction of one another back and forth...really fast.

Yes I skin them too...I fillet flounder with it as well. I even fillet crappie and big bream with it.

Its so fast too...I can clean a fish in literally seconds..both sides. 8)

[Mac_Attack]

I'll repeat MJ's question "What about sharpening them? "Billy Mac *;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

I have had this one for over a year with no problems. I even de-bone deer meat with it too, so it pretty much gets used year round.

It has serrated blades so you dont sharpen em. I also get mine (along with most of my fishing stuff) from Academy here in town and if it breaks I just return it. :D

They sell replacement blades too. They are like $8 and this knife is 30 or 39 I think. :)

[Mac_Attack]

Thanks Stinky! Billy Mac ;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

Its kinda like goin from a trollin motor to an outboard...I promise you wont regret it. ;D

[Mac_Attack]

Wise Guy what type of filet knife is yours? It looks like my Papala but with a scaling edge on top.

Stinky is yours corded or battery operated, and don't let your mind wander on this one.

[WiseGuy]

Rapala - I'm considering that electric though. Wonder how well it goes through deer. The rechargable one would be great if it has the power.

[Zebra]

Target stores. or target.com sells this one for $46... Z


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/Zaff/RapalaProGuide.jpg

[Stinky_Hooker]

I have had several....the regular Mister Twisters are ok, but with bigger offshore species they wear out pretty fast.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://image.basspro.com/images/images2/19500/19864.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId%3FhvarTextId%3D15930%26hvarDept%3D1 00%26hvarEvent%3D%26hvarClassCode%3D11%26hvarSubCo de%3D8%26hvarTarget%3Dbrowse&h=173&w=172&sz=11&hl= en&start=3&tbnid=J745PrYmLaGGBM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=99& prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmister%2Btwister%2Bknife%26svnum%3D10 %26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff


Like I said..the Pirahna has held up best for me. If anyone cant get em, Id be glad to pick em up from Academy and ship it to ya. :)

Here is a good review on em:

Like it says..the motor is stronger, but the key is the seriously nasty serrated blades...they WILL cut you, even when NOT under power. Trust me I know. :o

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.epinions.com/images/opti/3e/28/pr-Fishing_Gear_Accessories-Mister_Twister_Saltwater_Piranha_Electric_Fillet_K nife-resized80.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.epinions.com/otdr-Fishing-Flyfishing-Accessories-All-Type_Fish_Fillet_Handling_Tools&h=80&w=80&sz=2&hl= en&start=11&tbnid=bIF8hJ_9W4fXfM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=74& prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmister%2Btwister%2Bknife%26svnum%3D10 %26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff

I get long links of the day... ;D

[macojoe]

I couldn't find the one you speak of on the link you gave??

But If I ever fish again I think its time I try one!!

Thanks!

[Mac_Attack]

Cabela's has them in their online catalog.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Its the 10th one down MJ on the second list.

[Blue_Runner]

They make sure order out of Mr. Linesides too.