Electric Fillet Knife, What a time saver!!!

For those who already own an electric fillet knife, I'm preaching to the converted.

Received one for Christmas, and it took a few tries to get the hang of it, but what a difference!!! I'm easily filleting fish at least 75% quicker than before, with less wastage. Electric knives to me looked bulky, and I questioned how they could effectively be used on a smaller species like perch and I was expecting to lose out on half the meat. Boy was I wrong. For those who don't have one, I highly recommend getting one. When you are tired and get back late at night and your eyes are rolling at the thought of cleaning 20+ perch, you'll be glad you did. I was given the corded Rapala which only runs around $65, although I'm sure any brand will do as good a job or better. Money well spent (or great gift received!)

Thanks.

I recently bought a new Bubba cordless (on lithium battery) fillet knife set (with 4 blades of different length, 2 batteries, and nice carrying case), exactly as below pic shown. I have yet to try it out... :-)

I did not like mine at first and never picked it up for three years and last week with about 30 Perch to clean I tried it and persevered the difficulties and then it got better and better.......I will be using mine a lot more and especially for Perch.

First pic is of the first cut along the backbone....cut right through the ribs.
Then flip the fillet ribs up and cut under them removing them. Use an upside down fork to hold the fillet.

Then flip skin down and shave the skin off.

Finished product.

My technique is very similar Longfish, but I don't completely cut the entire fillet off in step one. I go down to the very tip of the tail, but leave it still attached, and flip the fillet over so skin side is down, then remove the skin. Because the fillet is still attached by a small piece of skin at the tail, I find it makes it a bit easier and lot quicker to complete the skinning process since it acts as a fish "holder," plus it keeps my fingers out of the way! Then I cut out the rib cage. Everyone has slightly different methods, so whatever works

I got that same model a month back on sale at Cabela's.

You certainly need a bit of practice with it, for perch it can easily cut through the middle bone when the blade is skimming across the body to get the fillet.

For bigger game, it makes filleting a breeze, one stroke and you get a clean fillet.

I regret not getting an electric fillet knife earlier, makes cleaning fish more fun.

I've had this model for about 2 years, and it's great! The only problem I have with it is the grip is so large, so after a while your hand gets tired. Other than that it gets the job done!

I've had this model for about 2 years, and it's great! The only problem I have with it is the grip is so large, so after a while your hand gets tired. Other than that it gets the job done!

Thanks. I guess it will be good or perfect to fillet a large fish such as a laker or whitefish real quick (like doing a quickie:-)

I have never tried one. I have watch guys use them and are really fast. I have always wished I could clean fish that fast. You guys say it is hard at first, so was thinking maybe I should try. I looked up the bubba on amazon. that took care of me wanting to try it.

Same…ouch!$$$

Since I started using an electric years ago, i could never go back- just too fast and easy.

Bubba also sells a "glide" blade in two sizes that are much less aggressive than the blades supplied in the kit.
They make cleaning the smaller fish much easier and will help a newbie to electric knives make fewer slipups.

I wouldn't use anything else but an electric for perch and walleye cleaning


you don't have to get the high end stuff to do the job.


I now have rapala and Berkley and find the latter much better


I do agree that hand fatigue sets in after 30 minutes or so for a short time. but most of my catches are completed by then

once you know how to use them it's less than 1 minute per fish and no waste

This one is on sale right now at Cabela's. Been looking to get one and after cleaning a bunch of walleye and whitefish yesterday I would like to speed up the process.

Old Timer Lithium-Ion Fillet Knife - Sale - $89.99

you will love it once you get used to using it