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New York => Ice Fishing New York => Topic started by: icebites on Feb 24, 2020, 08:41 AM

Title: Perch
Post by: icebites on Feb 24, 2020, 08:41 AM
I had some success perch fishing the past few days. What is your favorite knife to fillet those rascals?  With all the effort we put forth harvesting some for a meal, I often struggle to get all the meat from these tasty critters. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/VdLXLLdW/246-A9108-C8-A5-4825-9-DCC-F415037307-EE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VdLXLLdW)
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: THE KRACKEN on Feb 24, 2020, 08:47 AM
Rapala electric knife
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: TheManInBlack on Feb 24, 2020, 11:12 AM
What The Kracken said.

I have had mine for over 15 years.  What a difference it makes!  More than doubles my speed too.
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: hardwaterhonkey on Feb 24, 2020, 12:41 PM
Perch scales are surprisingly tough and hard to piece a electric knife makes quick work but a few will be hacked in process as a delicate hand is needed let the knife do the work
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: fly_rodder on Feb 24, 2020, 01:03 PM
+1 on the rapala.  I use it to lop the fillets off and skin them, but I cut the ribs off using a regular fillet knife.  I could use the electric for that too, but I do a neater job with the regular knife.  I usually don't do more than 10-15 at time, but if I had 40-50, I'd be more inclined to just drive the electric. 

I've cut through the backbone more than once when I've tried to pick up the pace though.

Title: Re: Perch
Post by: icebites on Feb 24, 2020, 01:25 PM
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I have tried to use an electric knife and often cut through the backBone like was mentioned.  I watched a YouTube video from Rogers Rigs do it in 45 seconds. Looks like a decent method and I like that little Rapala knife he uses. Obviously the more you do the better you get at the process.
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: TheManInBlack on Feb 24, 2020, 03:10 PM
I find the only time i cut through the backbone with the electric is if the fish is frozen and i am forcing things.

As mentioned, the more you practice at it, the better you get.  I do notice if i have a lot of fish to clean, my knife will be pretty warm (almost hot) at the end.  But i have had it a long time, so i am not surprised.  I imagine i will need to replace it one of these days.
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: icebites on Feb 24, 2020, 06:40 PM
I have the Mr. Twister electric knife, like the one in the picture. I looked online for Electric Rapala fillet knife and there are many different ones. As TMIB mentioned I think it involves practice, but I struggle with wasting even more meat during the learning curve.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bj0cGTHX/761119-C7-CC72-49-E6-846-B-39-D0-ADA90-FDA.png) (https://postimg.cc/Bj0cGTHX)
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: badbrad2186 on Feb 24, 2020, 06:57 PM
Mr twister and let knife do the work. When I first started I hacked up quite a few now I'm a seasoned pro maybe 1 in every 300 fish I mess up now
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: Mossy10 on Feb 24, 2020, 06:59 PM
Bubba blade electric.  Pricey but worth it.
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: perch chacer on Feb 24, 2020, 07:51 PM
I like the Rapala hand fillet knife.  You can feel every bone and know when to ease off or apply pressure. 
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: icejohn on Feb 24, 2020, 08:59 PM
I've had large rapala elect knife .....then Berkeley now use the mister twister and that seems to do the best and quickest job of them all...and yes with the elect knife it takes a little practice, just need to go slow at first. As far as roger's method that's good too...it's different but seems effective for him.
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: trapper2000 on Feb 24, 2020, 09:09 PM
i just sell perch whole  no need to clean them ;D
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: filetandrelease on Feb 25, 2020, 05:33 AM
 I use a $12 Black&Decker first one jcrapped out after 16 years , I bought 2 at the time
 And some very old rapala fillet knives for trimming 
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMVt6hkT/C0449-FA1-4346-4780-93-E2-D57924-A9195-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMVt6hkT)
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: badbrad2186 on Feb 25, 2020, 06:54 AM
I use a $12 Black&Decker first one jcrapped out after 16 years , I bought 2 at the time
 And some very old rapala fillet knives for trimming 
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMVt6hkT/C0449-FA1-4346-4780-93-E2-D57924-A9195-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMVt6hkT)

I started with same knife lasted 12 years. And I use a repeal fillet knife for trimming that I bought when i was 16. I know use the mr twister with rapala electric knife blades
Title: Re: Perch
Post by: ice4066 on Feb 25, 2020, 10:38 AM
Rapala all the way i have old hand ones newer black handle ones and the electric ones ,,,,only one i dont care for is the 12 volt adapter one ,dosent have the power