Sounds like your grease is still too hot cuasing it to start browning the fish before they have time to cook. Try reducing the heat to 315-325 and I believe your problem will go away. I only soak fillets after cleaning them...turns 'em white as snow. I dry batter my fish after letting stand on paper towels to drain for a couple minutes, flipping the fillets once on the paper. They cook deep fried for about 4 minutes.

Sometimes for crispier fish I'll pan fry. Enough oil so it comes up half way on the fillets. Oil hot enough to sizzle good when fillets are dropped in, flipping them once. Short cooking time too....just go by sight on how well they brown.