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I posted this thread with pics in the AZ section here
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/arizo...tml#post980361
My daughter and I had a great time and an excellent meal that night! Them 'gills are tasty but a pain to fillet.
Any recommendations on a decent fillet knife? I couldn't seem to keep the one I have sharp. I am fairly new to filleting fish so I figured you guys would know.
Great pics looks like you had a fun time. as far as knife not sure what to tell you i have been using a regular electric knife for years now and that works great for me.
JJ
cool report and pics!!!!!
looked like a good day
out there :)
cm
Great job Chris!Looks like a couple of them gills are "tubs"Good showing everyone how terrible our winter is going,lol.
Looks like a great day and the smile on your daughters face is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Keep her going.
Fatman
Get a quality fillet knife, Shrade or Old timer or similar and use a stone to sharpen it not some quick double sided pull through jobby. Even an inexpensive fillet knife holds an edge better using a good sharpening stone.
Thanks guys. We had a time :)
fish 4 all, thanks for the advice. I was using the double sided sharpener thing and it did suck! Couldn't keep that knife sharp for nothing. What about electric? What do you recommend for that?
I can't fillet with and electric, always cut through the rib bones and make more work for myself not to mention the meat I mutilate. Don't like them at all. Can fillet smaller fish in about 30 seconds completely so I doubt I will use an electric anytime soon. Salmon only take me about 2 minutes to completely finish so I like my fillet knifes.
Yes I use an old Shrade fillet knife.I glued a stone on the side of an old torx screw driver and the handle keeps me from cutting off fingers while sharpening it.I tried an electric one,no good for me,maybe too old fashioned,lol.Gotta keep them sharp.
Nice catch, great pics
Nice looking bunch of gills....that will be some fine eating.
theirs a guy on youtube that has a good fillet method. and all he uses is a 6" rapal fillet knife.
Good pics, looks like y'all had a great time. Congrats
I like a electric knife, I cut down the back bone then cut out the rib. I can fillet a crappie in 30 seconds or so I guess. Never timed myself but I fillet everything. I used a regular knife until I got an eclectic, just prefer the eclectic. Both does a good job.
Good way to start the new year. Looks like a great time on a nice lake. Congrats on the catch.
Rapala. cant beat it. Inexpensive and will stay sharp for ever. The blade is rolled over on the sides. Makes for easy work. Beats any flat blade. try it you will like it. Sharpen every 2 to 3 yrs. or maybe never if you don't drag it across the concrete.
great pics. unlike, when i fillet crappie, w/gills i leave the ribs. they have a little meat, that i would otherwise lose, and w/ the ribs it gives me something to hold onto when i'm eating them. plus its alot easier that way.
Nice catch
Thanks everyone :)
Do you have a link or anything to the specific knife you are talking about? I have a Rapala and I swear it gets dull if I look at it funny.Quote:
Originally Posted by foul hook
Make sure if you get a rolled blade that you know which side is roled. This is the side you have to keep against the bones of the fish for the fillet. I tried one ONCE and only once. Being left handed the thing was reverse of what I needed and it ruined a dozen fillets before it went deep six in the river.
I will absloutely agree about leaving the ribs on smaller fillets. This allows for the cleanest fillet possible and also keep the fillets in tact for certain methods of cooking the fish. If you want to take off the ribs do so afterwards.
I have been using an electric knife for years. If you wish to develop your skills catch and fillet a few limits of White Bass, to include triming off that dark strip. We filet all types of fish we catch. I occasionally still scale some bream to fry whole and this year when I had a few smaller crappie, 10 inchers or so, I left the rib cage on them. I tried to teach my Pastor how to fillet catfish last spring and gave up on him, you really have to develop your skills and it does take a while and a few messed up fish. I think once you master the electric knife you will forget about the standard fillet knife. I even started using my electric when I process deer now.
OK, but what electric knife do you recommend? I have looked at the reviews for most on Cabela's site and they usually aren't too positive.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbaskett
i use the mister twister....i have nothing bad to say about it at all
I use the american angler. My old one is 13 years old and still running. I bought the new saltwater version to clean those big lake erie walleyes. It has more power to cut thru those huge rib cages.
Rapala knife+Lansky's sharpening system=VERY sharp blade.
Actually, any quality fillet knife will work. The Lansky's system makes it easy to get a wicked sharp edge.
Tom
Good fish. I use a Mister Twister electric knife. Academy Sports regularly has them on sale for $14.99
If you learn how to use a steel you can fillet all day and your knife will stay in good shape. I worked on a kill floor of a slaughter house for about a year and the most important thing I learned is how to start with a sharp knife and keep the edge straight with a good steel. When you use a knife the cutting edge will roll over and quit cutting. A few strokes on the steel will straighten the cutting edge and your back in business. :)
looks like you both had a good time!those are nice pics for being taken with a camera phone.very nice looking mountains and rock formations around the lake!there isn't anything like that around nj.its 30 outside right now and i won't be going out fishing for a long while.i spotted something really familiar,i have 2 of that same ugly stick rod and reel combo your girl had in the photos.my dad has one of em too.we have power pro 10 pound test on em,and i will possably get another of them.they are decent little setups that seem to take abuse and still work decently.i've taken my first one hiking through the woods in wv,and down the road for 15 miles walking,wearing guns.it still works and serves me well! :)