"Y-BONES"

[abishop]

I dont know the right way to filet a northern pike. Usually, if I am fortunate enough to catch one I let It go, just so I dont try -and ruin the filet. I hate looking for bones when I am enjoying fresh hot fish. It takes all the pleasure of eating away. Can anyone else relate? I know I have seen articles in magazines on how-to. But never tried and forgot. This is a good eating fish and would like to catch 1 this year. Havent eaten a northern in over 20 years. WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING. When we get same safe ice,-wont be long. Thank you,Abishop

[RLWagner]

There is a video on here about how to do it. You might find it in the PIKE forums, not sure? But they taste nearly like a Walleye!! You are missing alot. Take the time to learn for sure!!!

RL

[bigredonice]

I love pike, they are the only gamefish I have found that rival if not beat walleyes on taste and texture.

http://www.boois.com/y-bones.htm

http://www.onthelake.net/fishing/ybones.htm

there's also some good videos on you tube on it.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pike+y+bone

[Smitty71]

Just go to this site and watch the guy do it

Pretty good demonstration.

Fish On
Smitty

[flagup#1]

I know exactly what you mean about a mouth full of bones ruining a great meal.  Try these sites:

&mode=related&search=

http://onthelake.net/fishing/ybones.htm

good luck

[Fishin is the Mission]

Just do a search for "removing Y bones from pike"...there's lots of info on the 'net. Here's one:

http://www.cleanafish.com/cleananorthern.html

 Better yet, just keep releasing those guys and go target some Perch or Walleye or Bluegills if you want a fish dinner.  Remember to keep only what you need and release the rest.

Another option is to "pickle" the Pike...it destroys the Y-bones and it stays good for a very long time.  A coupe of links are below:

http://www.landbigfish.com/recipes/showcase.cfm/recipe.55.htm
http://www.recipecottage.com/preserving-meats/pickled-pike.html

Good luck!

[musky8it]

http://www.boois.com/y-bones.htm

Bigred, I looked at all the tips on this page, and the first one you listed was the easiest to follow/understand....Nothing like little snake pike, toss the bigs ones back but eat the snakes...Some dang good eaten....

[Whatpole]

I know exactly what you mean about a mouth full of bones ruining a great meal.  Try these sites:

&mode=related&search=

http://onthelake.net/fishing/ybones.htm

good luck

This is probably the best video I have found for watching it done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcWyGrV0qao&mode=related&search=

[archman]

great video. easy to do

[chicagill35]

Wooooooo!!! Doggy!!!   Picklin dem critters are mighty nice too.........