Fish Catchers, and Fish Cleaners

[stevemb]

I love my little 4" Rapala knife. Half wore out one, then broke it. Number two is getting broken in. My problem, I wanted a small blade for some fish, but my hand is still the same size(Same beef with reels). So took one of my 6" Rapala knives and with a big set of tin snips nipped off an inch. Then nipped off the 90 degree into a 45. Then filed down. Now have a 5" Rapala with a full sized handle. So far so good. Just fileted off 35 bluegills. Still need the long blades for the walleye,steelhead though.

 

[Bud0505]

I love my little 4" Rapala knife. Half wore out one, then broke it. Number two is getting broken in. My problem, I wanted a small blade for some fish, but my hand is still the same size(Same beef with reels). So took one of my 6" Rapala knives and with a big set of tin snips nipped off an inch. Then nipped off the 90 degree into a 45. Then filed down. Now have a 5" Rapala with a full sized handle. So far so good. Just fileted off 35 bluegills. Still need the long blades for the walleye,steelhead though.

If your cleaning where you have access to electricity I highly recommend an electric knife. You can pick up one pretty cheap at Walmart. I used to use my wife's until she caught me.

 

[Chief 101]

I love my little 4" Rapala knife. Half wore out one, then broke it. Number two is getting broken in. My problem, I wanted a small blade for some fish, but my hand is still the same size(Same beef with reels). So took one of my 6" Rapala knives and with a big set of tin snips nipped off an inch. Then nipped off the 90 degree into a 45. Then filed down. Now have a 5" Rapala with a full sized handle. So far so good. Just fileted off 35 bluegills. Still need the long blades for the walleye,steelhead though.

If your cleaning where you have access to electricity I highly recommend an electric knife. You can pick up one pretty cheap at Walmart. I used to use my wife's until she caught me.

Blasphemy!!

 

[Mobuck]

Must have been some really good tin snips.

 

[stevemb]

There is a NIB e-cleaner in the basement somewhere. It'll stay there. They do work great, but less so for bluegills and smaller perch,etc.. I'll use one when helping to clean larger numbers of fish, like after a perch or walleye charter were we are looking at 4-6 peoples limits. For my own use, I like sharp steel in my hand, without a cord attached to it. My point was, just because a smaller blade is wanted or needed, my hand didn't suddenly shrink. Spinning reel stems are the same issue. I like ultra-light gear for some bluegill, trout, and ice fishing. While the reels spool is Ok being smaller to match thinner line, my hand is the same size. Don't want a knuckle gnashing. Ultra-light reels do not equal kiddy reels.

 

[stevemb]

Bud0505, see your in Fla.. Was showing a friend just last evening a 12 aught forged hook that was half straightened on me on Tampa Bay at night. I had some help, a cobia estimated to go overa 100lbs. We did not boat him. Boated a 35 and a 60 lb'er.. FIL used a "breaking" knife, a large, LARGE, butcher knife to filet them.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Why did she object to using the E-knife?
Did you tell her the blades are washable?

 

[stevemb]

Yes, the blades are washable, but fish snot just won't stay on the blades, ya know ?