How to Fillet Fish

Many individuals love the sport of fishing. However, they don't particularly care about cleaning or filleting fish to eat. Cleaning and Filleting fish is not that hard to do. In fact, after you have done as many as six fish, you can consider yourself an expert. This article will explain how to fillet fish for cooking.

You will need a cleaning board, pan of water, sharp knife, plastic bag, and a pan or bag to put your filleted fish in.

First make sure cleaning board is clean. Boards used over, without being cleaned, collect bacteria. Make sure that your knife is next to razor sharp. Fill your water pan with clean cold water. Have your plastic garbage bag open. You can also bury the fish leftovers. They are biodegradable. They are excellent for improving the soil.

Lay your fish sideways on your board. Hold the head with your left hand (if you are right handed). Next, take your sharp knife and cut down to the backbone located right behind the fishes gill. Do not cut all the way through.

Now turn the blade of the knife towards your right side. Cut towards the tail end of the fish. Keep your knife as straight as you can. When you reach the tail of the fish, the knife blade should appear just as it exits in front of the full tail.

Don't worry about the scales. Now flip the fish over. The scales should be on the board side. Take your knife and repeat the process. This will give you your fillet and leave the rest of the fish in tact. When you are finished, you should have two fillets and three pieces to toss away.

Put your fillet in the pan of water and clean it gently. Then place it in your plastic bag. Some people like to ice the fish down good before they cook it.

So you can see that filleting fish is not that hard to do.

Comments (1)

paul said:

	... Good article... but I think I'll stick to buying fish which are already filled.
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June 25, 2009
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