Fillet Tips

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by JackK

(first side)

Cut at the shoulder, then cut right down to the backbone, getting it started. I then lay the knife almost parallel to the fish, and using all of the blade, cut all the way down the backbone to the tail.

If looking at the fish from the side, this initial cut doesn't go any lower than the lateral line. Hence, getting it "started".

Then I'll flip the fish and do the same thing, but I'll do a second cut under the backbone, removing the entire filet. The fish is then flipped back over and the first side is finished (and it's a breeze at this point).

I love filleting fish- just hate the cleanup!

Thats how i do it

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by zacs

best bet is to just do a rough fillet on the boat after catching, then save the rest for later - way in, at dock or at home.

its illegal to toss your racks at sea i think.. unless your fillet alone is over 28 inches.

[zacs]

not so, Nebe, as far as I've been told/explained.

[The Dad Fisherman]

In Mass...

"Striped bass must be kept whole, with head, tail and body intact - no mutilation permitted (other than evisceration)".

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries - Recreational Fishing - Regulations

[fishsmith]

Then there is this hidden nugget on groundfish (I think it's still in effect or is it affect )

Restrictions on the Possession of Groundfish Filets Recreational fishermen are allowed to land filets of groundfish provided each filet has 2 square inches of skin attached for species identification purposes and the filets do not exceed two times the bag limit for that species.


GROUNDFISH RULES