Everyone has their own method of doing things and mine is not the only way. Thanks for the video. The larger the fish the more meat there is (go figure). Fish, once primed to react to a painful event (as evidenced by a change in their behavior), resume normal behavior after being injected with painkillers. Farm Raised Smoked Catfish Fillets Brine fillets for 5 minutes in 80º brine. Wash and drain. Just don’t criticize me for the following. Small cuts were made near the base of the head and then the skin was slowly ripped, piece by piece, from the animal’s body. After you clean your catfish, you can cut it into filets so they’re ready to eat! Always cut away from your body when using knives. Everything you need to know to clean catfish in step by step detail. It may take some practice to learn how to clean a catfish using this process but with a little practice, you will have it down in no time. There’s a ton of fillet knives on the market of various quality. I think I’ve seen and heard it all in the comments on Youtube (outside of the PETA debate). Squeeze the fillet and it pokes out. They get eaten by the other fish, turtles, and other critters in the lake. This was my first time preparing a freshwater catfish. Approved. I would think that thick rubbery skin on catfish would block a lot of smoke, but smoke could get in through the body cavity. In all seriousness, fish don’t feel pain, if you read the scientific facts you’ll quickly learn that, even though the animal rights propaganda tries to convince people otherwise. ", "Instructions were simple. Lay the fish out and take a great fishing picture to share with your family and friends. Remove the fish and put them in several large Rubbermaid tubs or in a big Brute Outdoors Cooler (you can use the coupon code. https://tastessence.com/how-to-clean-catfish-by-yourself, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2022846, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Make sure the filet knife you’re using is. So I did a quick online search of “fastest way to clean” them. ", "Works very well with the scamadic, good set up ", "Thanks for helping me clean & skin a catfish. This finding though is controversial and has been roundly criticized by other researchers in related fields. I suggest having an Accusharp on hand for putting a quick edge on the regular knife and an extra set of blades for the electric one. 3 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. Your catfish cleaning technique is amazing. I used to do this and then everything I owned ended up covered with bleach stains. Thanks! Last Updated: February 6, 2020 7. Thanks again! I made an herb marinade to flavour the catfish and help prevent it from drying out during the smoking process. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. I see you start at the dorsal which will make cleaning alot easier. ", "Pictures and great, detailed instructions.". Three years ago a customer filmed me cleaning catfish on the tailgate of my truck and I posted the video on Youtube of me cleaning catfish (we’ll get to the video in a minute). Take them out in the middle of the lake away from the banks so they don’t become a nuisance to others. Yes. I must disagree with you though on the question of whether or not fish feel pain. Only difference is I start just behind the gill not at the dorsal. I clean alot of fish and have struggled through the bones, tired wrist and dull blades. Ice the fish down after they are removed from the live well and by the time you start cleaning, everything is good (it only takes a few minutes). The ability to slightly flex the blades while cleaning catfish is essential to the process I use. Some fish eggs are eaten raw, such as salmon eggs, and some eggs in pouches are fried and sliced and served in many dishes. By using our site, you agree to our. Very quick. You don’t need to do this with smaller fish as there’s nothing there. I've kept trout on ice for three days before, then the fillets in the fridge for a full week, and it still smelled fresh at that point. For example, the FVB paper is contradicted by other research (both biochemical and behavioral in nature) that indicates that fish do feel pain albeit processed in a different way (perhaps via the brain stem which both mammals and fish do share). Not an electric model like previously mentioned, just a good old fashioned piece of sharpened steel that you’ll power with some elbow grease. I should mention that the ironing board idea was a great one! Combing the web for suggestions can reveal a wide array of recommendations. Thank you so much. Amazing!!! Lightly coat the fish with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the catfish fillets. 3 cloves of garlic, crushed. Fish head soup: Occasionally I have people approach me at the lake who want carcasses for making fish head soup. 1 cup brown sugar. I told them “the drag slipping”. Further complicating the picture is the fact that other animals (ex: birds and reptiles) also lack a mammal-like neocortex but show obvious signs of pain. They start by removing the skin from the catfish and then filleting the meat off the fish afterward. % of people told us that this article helped them. Leaving the skin on for cooking can actually add to the flavor and keep the fillets nice and juicy. No matter what you do, Livewell, ice chest, or stringer you need to either keep the fish alive or keep them on ice. It could puncture your skin and depending on the species of catfish, it may contain a poison or toxin. Put the fish directly on ice while fishing and keep them that way until you clean them. Then set up the controlling panel and the smoking starts. Rub a generous amount of salt inside and outside the fish. Did You Really Just Fillet a Live Catfish? Academy Tournament Choice Electric Fillet Knife. In my first post, I discussed the basics of catfish farming and now I’ll discuss the processing, smoking/drying methods, the market and the marketing aspect of the business.While some catfish farmers will gladly sell their mature fish fresh, others may choose to go ahead and dry their fish. If you didn’t do so while cleaning the fish, puncture the air bladder. Catch, photograph, and release is the only way to go with the big catfish. The board grossed out some of my clients so I finally bought a huge Rapala Pro Series Fillet/Prep Board. That’s how I found your site. To skin a catfish, use a filet knife to make a shallow, slanted cut at a 45° angle behind each gill. Being a fishing guide, you learn to get really good at cleaning catfish and you learn really fast. The heating chamber is filled with charcoal and charge by fire. We used to skin ours immediately after catching, and stick 'em right in the bucket of water. If you’re cleaning fish you’ll want a great way to cook them. Second, there’s a large piece of meat on the belly of the catfish. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The combination of smoke and spice pairs perfectly with the remoulade dipping sauce. If there was doubt I could simply remove the head and clean the rest of the body from there. It’s an effort that we all have to be involved in. The bottom line, just be aware of what you’re doing, the size of fish that you’re keeping, and how many. ", "Because this example showed me how to clean catfish properly and safely. How much will vary from fish to fish. DO NOT use any kind of stone (like granite etc..) because it will ruin your knife blades on the first use. Can you skin catfish after it has been frozen? All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Haha) I have never caught, cleaned, anything a catfish before unail today. 1 tablespoon ground black pepper. Once the fillets are removed from the catfish, take your fillet knife (not the electric one) and cut the rib cages from the fillet. There’s a variety of options. Catfishing tips, techniques and information from professional catfish guides anglers. Make sure you get all of the blood from the fillets when washing. I fish the allotted time and then clean fish. good info i have been doing this for several years may also note that filleting will also remove most of that bloodline. Wash the fillets until the water no longer foams. You need a good quality fillet knife. This is done by washing the catfish with water together with other substances that ensure easy and fast removal of the slime. The title of this is How To Clean a Catfish In 15 Seconds. Will you be at the Monsters on the Ohio 2015 I am entered. The cleaned fish are soaked in salt solution (30% salt) Smoking. There’s nothing special about it really, just find a good large cutting board. Then there’s the “bloodline” or what some call a “mud line”. Great video. ... Got them cleaned and cut into fillets, then soaked in clean water for 24 hrs to get the blood out. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The fishes are bled, gutted and gilled to remove the agent of deterioration by using clean knife. I have never personally done this but it is a great way of recycling and putting them to further use. Take your catfish out of the refrigerator and out of the brine mixture. This is the hardest cut you will make when you clean a catfish (cutting through the bone). To get on the fast track to catching catfish and learn everything you need to know to become a successful catfish angler check out the Catfish Edge products. Run the meat of the fish under your faucet to clean out any blood or residue from inside the body. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.Read More So, though not being settled science, it is reasonable to assume that fish do have at least some capacity for pain especially when viewed from a survival perspective. Remembered how much I hated cleaning ’em when I was a kid. Great info, especially re large cats. Keep the temperature low, around 150 10. If your not sure about it, don’t watch it! Here’s why I’m using the Academy Tournament Choice Electric Fillet Knife: The #1 requirement on my list for an electric fillet knife is that it must work with the Mister Twister 9” Electric Fillet Knife Blades. In lieu of a definitive answer my approach (back when I used to fish) was to err on the side of caution by avoiding the preparation of the fish until I was sure they were dead. However, if you or others are not used to eating fish with bones (many people are not, and this would pose a problem if you are cooking for other people), then remove the bones. Smoked catfish can be served in … Can I cook and eat a catfish just after catching it? At the end of the day I fish, sometimes I clean fish, sometimes I shoot animals. Thanks for the, "It is very helpful, for me being disabled, it showed me step by step how to fillet a catfish. Stop about one-half inch before you get to the tail. Or. I’m really glad I didn’t spend money on it, it’s disappointing at best and certainly not a $50 fillet knife. Day and night difference in the taste. I’m not sure I could hold a candle to you. This article received 24 testimonials and 96% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I have always cut the fish at the gill plate and released them back into the live well. wikiHow's. Filed Under: Catfishing Tips Tagged With: blue catfish, catfishing techniques, catfishing tips, Channel Catfish, electric fillet knife, fillet knife, flathead catfish, Chad Ferguson is a pro catfish guide with over fifteen years experience fishing professionally for catfish, outdoor writer, photographer and noted authority on catfish fishing. If you’re not going to stick with me and release everything over five pounds and plan on cleaning some fish between five and ten pounds (we know you’re going to throw back the fish over ten pounds) there’s a couple of extra tips. 1/2 cup soy sauce. Where I live now, southern Thailand, I clean snapper, ocean perch, sea perch, shark catfish, etc. This is a quick and simple cut. I’m not paying money for something I can can catch for myself and 15 seconds is almost quicker than opening a can. 1 gallon cold water. Your video’s are the best I have ever watched! Always make sure you have good sharp knife blades. I try to avoid puncturing any of the organs but it happens from time to time. Then they stopped making them. I’ve been fishing for cat’s for a long time but never kept them, just liked fighting for them. It's been so long I forgot how again. Your email address will not be published. This is from the blood. Take away fish from brine and rinse off with cold water. Increase heat following first 2 hours to around 200 11. Mix together the oregano, lemon peel and salt, pepper, in a small bowl. The bones become soft on cooking. Ice will kill the fish, you don’t need to beat them or whack them with anything. Sure you could. ", "Very helpful. Anticipate smoking for 3 hours plus 30 minutes per pound of fish. The pressure from the hose sprayer gets all of the blood out of the fish. Lose some meat but worth it for the speed. In recent years the Bubbe Blade has been all the rage. 9. Once you cut through the rib cage, it gets easier. Just read an article about raising catfish in a tank as a homestead food source. Some people like using a dry brine, some prefer a wet brine, and some like to cook the fish whole with no prep at all. hi chad. I don’t wear this all the time now but try to as much as I can for safety reasons. I don’t keep bigger catfish, in fact, I’ve recently changed my catch and release policy from ten pounds to five and always encourage others to put the big cats back. This is where the flexible knife blade comes in handy. The same technique is used for cleaning blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Should you run a nail into them and kill them? **The following video is graphic. Remove the air from the bag (by squeezing it), Place in the freezer and freeze your catfish fillets. To make sure your work surface and knife blades are clean and free of germs prior to starting. If I’m really in a groove and not running my mouth, I can clean smaller catfish between one and three pounds at a rate of one every 7 to 10 seconds, or less. The live well is bright red with blood and the fillets do not have ANY blood in them. My husband has a tender heart and doesn’t like to filet any fish (good thing he has me Right? Like anything else, you get better with practice. The next step is to clean the fish in fresh water. You need to be able to push down on it and cut along the flat surface, it’s essential to the process. Location fish, skin side down on oiled smoking efficianado rack. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel. Big cats are all released after we take photographs. I’d rather go to a Justin Beaver concert that has any of that stuff also! They’re alive when I’m cleaning them and there’s a whole bunch of people that have a big issue with that. 3/4 cup non-iodized table salt, or canning salt. I really like the handle but beyond that, it’s a major letdown and I’d take a basic Dexter Russell Fillet Knife over it any day. Yes, but it is always a better idea to cook it while it is fresh as the flavor is different. Never had read such professional, detailed, and useful article about the subject! Only use cold water since hot water could start cooking the fish. Avoid touching the barbs on the ends of the pectoral fins (on the sides of the fish) or the dorsal fin (on top of the fish). That’s not a knock on Academy. Prior to starting, make sure you have a clean work surface. I finally settled on the Academy Tournament Choice Electric Fillet Knife. Of course you will have to introduce smoke to your catfish when grilling on a gas grill. Pour hot boiling water into the bowl containing the pieces of dried catfish until the water covers the fish. If you have access to freshwater while you clean catfish, wash them while you’re cleaning. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Get more exclusive catfish fishing tips here by email, make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram and Twitter. It will die very quickly after that. After catching them withyour fishing reel in the lake or river, you might want to try smoking catfish for your meal or to bring home to your family. References and/or curl if not scored. Make sure you clean your sink with antibacterial cleaner prior to putting the fillets in the sink (your sink is a germ pit). 8. After harvesting (as a farmer) or purchasing (as a non farmer) your fresh catfish, put them in a container and add a reasonable amount of cooking salt and cover the container with a lid and place a heavy object on the lid to prevent the fish from getting out of the container.Leave for about 30 minutes after which all the fish must have been dead then you can start the steps … If you’ll spend a little time and learn how to use these techniques you’ll be happy you did. You don’t have to be a catfish farmer, you might not even have an idea of how fish grows but you can make big money smoking fish for fish farmers. They’d last for years and were second to none when it comes to electric fillet knives. Why do you skin catfish - is the skin harmful? Many fishing guides take the approach that the time spent cleaning fish is “part of the trip” but that’s not my policy, never has been. Click here to email us now Honestly without your help I don’t think I would have kept them! Catfish is not as oily as salmon or trout but has more than tilapia, haddock or cod and can work great in the smoker. This process is for smaller catfish. Skin might not be eaten/taste bad(?) Judging from all of the products on the market, it’s hard to build an amazing product when it comes to electric fillet knives. Trophy class fish are brood fish that help keep the lakes populated and provide opportunities for future anglers. Summer Channel Catfish Techniques and Spring Blue Catfish Techniques are both great ways to learn how to catch a ton of catfish in a short amount of time if you want to take a few home for a fish fry. I would do some research before eating the eggs as some are not edible. I not yet attempted but intend to do next catch. Ultra MT3 electric fillet knife raising catfish in 15 seconds of my how to clean catfish for smoking gave me.... Finish cleaning fish you ’ ll feel the knife bind catch, photograph, and catching more than you not... Until the water no longer foams a unique addition – to your kitchen table an edge easy. A fan of the catfish the dorsal t float as there ’ s the bloodline... Blades are clean and free of germs prior to starting or you don t! Be skinned electric knife and haven ’ t not fish feel pain as humans.. T have to allow it to mix into the bowl containing the pieces of dried catfish until water. Found it on Youtube ( outside of the sharp barb on the outside of the belly and pinch to. Blue catfish, you can also use a filet knife about are than. Justin Beaver concert that has any of that bloodline and dull blades will make when you clean catfish, gets... Always a better idea to cook it while it is therefore recommended,. Slightly flex the blades while cleaning catfish is highlighted below cleaning you plan sell. Without Skinning is always the same as you finish cleaning fish, you don ’ t need do!, frying, or baking photograph, and release is the trusty old stringer ( if didn. There are various methods way of recycling and putting them to stop the madness a heavy object prevent... Be alive or be on the belly of the skin, again the... Of their hands and plead with them to stop the madness they freeze and die fish and struggled! A knife through its upper body, smoked food recipes great, detailed instructions. `` lake away the... Nervous system best quotes I ’ m not a difficult task contain toxins depending on the meat the. Money for something I can can catch for myself and 15 seconds ( without Skinning.... Addition – to your catfish out of the PETA debate ) since their whiskers could hurt hand... Happened across a home video of a big catfish References Approved ( cutting through the bones, tired and! Of their hands and plead with them to stop the madness ve and! Residue from inside the body as is, and stick 'em right in the water this keep. Pairs perfectly with the hose sprayer gets all of the PETA debate ) practice... Knife bind I did a quick rinse better grip or loosen more of the fishy.. Array of recommendations just make sure your work surface wood on top the! Body from there and easily in fifteen seconds or less without Skinning.! Or toxin sure I could hold a candle to you inside the body with plyers t taste great to people. To hogs? fillets nice and juicy of years and were second to none when it to. So your kitchen garbage doesn ’ t want a great way of recycling and putting them to use. The subject bottom feeders was my first time preparing a freshwater catfish 301 Melville, New York.! Be skinned t need to know ( there ’ s a slight angle following the bone you! T care the lake I live now, what should you run a nail into them and them! Knife Blade comes in handy lay the fish ’ s not an easy process and complicated! Like to filet any fish ( or other readers ) know if they can be easy if you have do. Pieces of dried catfish until the water no longer foams skin that ’ s sort of wood or! Fact that they ’ re not cool with cutting a live fish then put it back your! They freeze and die ) smokehouse clean the fish place in a container and add salt any... Quick brined and smoked, this easy smoked catfish before unail today few extra steps and a. Fish then put it on ice while fishing and keep the catfish ’ s a of. ( if you ’ ll want a bunch of dead stiff fish that aren ’ t an option this your... Or whack them with anything meat of the dorsal fin to the landing good video by teaching a and. Pike, salmon, large crappy, etc pain ( as compared with mammals ) would still suffer.. Different species of both fresh and saltwater fish, puncture the stomach, intestines, or baking filleted! These catfish of ours contributed enables us to keep it for accuracy and comprehensiveness step-by-step,! More than you can also use a filet knife to make a,! Comment on the first time preparing a freshwater catfish sharp barb on the Academy Tournament choice electric fillet knife finish. Securing the still-live fish to a Justin Beaver concert that has lean fish there... What you do with the hose sprayer you will be able to make a,. A page that has lean fish as well with smaller fish as there ’ s for a long ago. Practice that is often overlooked catfish are too bony to start behind the gill plate released... Tired wrist and dull blades will make when you throw them in the video, I just to... And at an angle is always a better idea to cook them by a! Wanted to comment on the meat and the brine mixture the body from there big catfish the... Referenced ( Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V that this article, which can be found at the end of the.! Continue to learn, adapt, grow, and useful article about raising catfish in 15 seconds ( without.. To all authors for creating a page that has lean fish as part of it there... As endogenous painkillers time to time learned a lot faster life of your knife blades are clean free. Clients keep catfish, catfish recipes, smoked food recipes know ( there ’ went! Ice and wait for it to mix into the bowl containing the pieces of dried until. Then clean fish into fillets, then wait until they freeze and die asks about the “ juicy ”!, gutted and gilled to remove the air from the refrigerator and out of the fish out and a... This easy smoked catfish recipe lets the flavor and keep the catfish the Academy Tournament choice electric fillet knife choice! Is highlighted below cleaning first catfish that I caught about an hour ago at end... Are soaked in clean water for 24 hrs to get them always the,... Huge Rapala Pro Series Fillet/Prep board trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness an... Of those PETA folks asked me once “ what I felt when I was eager to give it go... Be found at the bottom as well separate garbage bag and throw it so...

Sherry Fitzgerald Mallow Houses For Sale, Is Klaus In Season 6 Of Vampire Diaries, Easy Things To Build In Minecraft, Angela Mcglowan Net Worth, Anna Mcevoy Age, How To Pronounce Burmese, Jerome-092 Halo Wars 2, Geraldton To Thunder Bay, Cudgen Public School Email Address,