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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Perch => Topic started by: RideH2o on Mar 16, 2016, 11:25 AM

Title: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: RideH2o on Mar 16, 2016, 11:25 AM
 ???  Could someone shed some light on a easy way to remove the eyeball from the fish?  There must be a trick eh?   BTW, thanks in advance for your replies.  RideH2o in Montana
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Idahogator on Mar 16, 2016, 11:42 AM
Unfold a larger sized paper-clip from the middle, leaving a loop at each end.

Push into the membrane near the eye straight toward the opposite eye until nearly even with the inner edge.

Circle the eye with the loop until completely loosened.

Insert the loop 1/4" below the loosened eye on the rear side (toward the tail).

With a slight scooping motion moving the loop bottom toward the mouth, slowly begin lifting while leaning the hand/fingers toward the tail.

The eye will begin lifting out and needs be supported at the front edge with a finger and pull straight out, bringing the long optic nerve with it.



Best to fit a handle, made from a 3" piece of wooden dowel.   Cut the loop ends long enough to fit tiny drilled holes with some good glue in them and leave about 3/4" of loop exposed.

Good luck, RideH2o.        ;)2
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: river rat78 on Mar 16, 2016, 11:58 AM
Haven't done it myself but I've read somewhere that if you sharpen the edges of a spoon.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Mr.Seaguar on Mar 16, 2016, 12:13 PM
I use my thumbnail, just push the corner of my nail in and when the eye starts to pop out I clean off nerves and stuff between thumb and forefinger. I usually end up squishing the perchs head kinda flat when I do it.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: RideH2o on Mar 17, 2016, 01:06 PM
Excellent ideas!  I knew there must be a method better than using a shop vac!  LOL
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Drift Dodger on Mar 18, 2016, 02:57 PM
Previously posted (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=23071.msg957807#msg957807 (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=23071.msg957807#msg957807)), but here goes ...

I made several 'perch-eye removers' using parts from binder clips and 1/2" dowel. I hone them out using a rotary tool, although not absolutely necessary. It provides some extra-easy slicing action for removing eyes slick and quick ... nice in extreme cold. This unit I painted bright fluorescent so it's easy to find in the snow/ice or anywhere else for that matter. And it floats!

(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u61/DriftDodger/equipment/IMG_1410.jpg)
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Idahogator on Mar 18, 2016, 05:12 PM
Just a word of caution to all that follow.     :nono:

Anything used to extract fish eyes should not have a sharp edge ~ You'll lose the most important part, the optic nerve "Dangler", it's the great attracter !      :flex:
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: IrishnId on Dec 13, 2017, 11:40 PM
I've taken old aluminum arrows and cut them into 4-5" lengths with one end squared and the other with a tapered angle, and it works great.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: HWeber on Dec 13, 2017, 11:53 PM
Never has a problem pushing them most of the way out with my thumb and taking them out.  Key is to find the spot in the mouth to push with your thumb.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: G fish on Dec 19, 2017, 02:51 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/CS8uJSv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/CS8uJSv)
Idahogator  lots of good info there. like dangler very important.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: missoulafish on Dec 19, 2017, 04:50 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/EnYJfxh.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: filetandrelease on Dec 19, 2017, 05:32 PM

Yes sir those work great , the thumb works well
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Idahogator on Dec 19, 2017, 06:06 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/CS8uJSv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/CS8uJSv)
Idahogator  lots of good info there. like dangler very important.

Nice floater.     :bow:
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Drift Dodger on Dec 23, 2017, 08:43 AM
(https://s19.postimg.cc/bhavk5tf7/IMG_1410.jpg)
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: POk3s on Dec 26, 2017, 01:19 PM
I've found it easier to remove with my thumb than a tool now a days. I push on the "cheek" of a perch or crappie and move my thumb upward. Applying pressure below the eye makes it bulge out. As I move my thumb forward it pops it out nicely.
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: taxi1 on Jan 30, 2018, 08:09 PM
As a taxidermist I use one of these to quickly pop an eye out of panfish size fish. It's original use is to tuck lips on deer mounts. Works really fast and slick. You just slide it under the eye and use you thumb on top. Then just pull.

(https://i.imgur.com/RfgRhhEl.jpg)
Title: Re: Tips for extracting eyes from the carcass?
Post by: Splinter on Feb 12, 2018, 01:34 PM
Use one of those medical clamps, I don"t remember the name of them, that you always see for sale at gunshows. Like a small pair of curved pointy pliers.