Mike Hehner shares his step by step process for filleting crappies with a Bubba Ultra Flex fillet knife.
Filleting Crappies: Step by Step
Crappies are a favorite for many anglers across the country because they taste great and are fun to catch. Filleting crappies is a simply and easy and it begins by choosing the correct knife. When choosing a knife for filleting crappies and other panfish I prefer a smaller, flexible knife like the Bubba 6″ Ultra Flex. The smaller blade allows for precision cuts maximizing the amount of meat on a fillet.
The 6-inch Bubba Ultra Flex fillet knife comes loaded with extreme flexibility and a ridiculously thin blade making it the perfect knife for bluegills, crappies, and perch.
If I am cleaning a lot of fish (more than 10 fish) then I will make the switch from the Bubba 6-inch Ultra Flex to the Bubba Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife because the electric knife will speed up the filleting process.
Filleting Crappies: Step by Step
Step 1:
Start by making a cut behind the gill plate and then run your knife along the backbone of the crappie. Press down as you make this cut and continue it all the way to the tail of the fish.
Step 2:
Work the knife back towards the head of the fish while cutting down. You will also want to cut around the rib cage.
Step 3:
Follow that cut through and you will be able to remove that side from the fish.
Step 4:
Flip the fish over and repeat this same process on the other side of the crappie.
Step 5:
Once you have both sides removed you can now skin your crappie fillets.
Start at the tail and run you at a downward facing 45 degree angle. This will ensure you don’t miss part of the crappie fillet.
Step 6:
Once you have removed the skin of both fillets its time for the final step; remove the pin bones.
The pin bones are located near the center of the fillet just above the rib cage and run about half way down the fillet.
Remove them by making a small v-shaped cut on both sides of the row of bones.
Once that is completed you’ll have two boneless fillets ready to-go!
FAQ’s
1. What is the best way to cook crappies?
Crappie fillets are great baked, fried, and steamed.
2. Where should I look for crappies during the summer?
On most lakes crappies can be found along the weed lines in fifteen feet of water or less throughout the summer.
3. What is the best type of weeds for crappies?
Cabbage. Crappies tend to gravitate towards cabbage weed beds.
4. What is the best size of crappie to eat?
Crappies between nine and eleven inches make a great table fare.
5. What is the best crappie bait?
A jig and plastic will catch crappies all throughout the year and is one of the best baits to catch crappies.
