and now as requested how to fillet a round fish

[pingu]

Easiest meathod to prepare / fillet a round fish
In this set of pics I have used a small bass, at 41 cm is only just over the takeable limit, please do not take any smaller fish( this one was really on the limit for me to take)
You will notice I do this near sink as is messy, carrier bag is for all trimmings etc to go in asap so as to keep tidy
You will need a board, ( sit on a damp cloth to stop it moveing) and a sharp flexible knife and strong scissors

First job is the messiest and that is scaleing the fish, this photo shows how to do it but has already been done on beach as is so messy, fish such as bass and mullet need scaleing , other fish such as mackerel and cod do not( I would normally gut on beach as well but took this one to do post

Hold the blade of the knife against the fish and angled slightly towards tail then rub up the fish towards head,


the scales ping of everywhere and you will find for days, so please either do on beach or get fishmonger to do this

then trim all the fins (both sides)with a strong pair of scissors

all of them

And the tail


Now for ease remove the head


Then insert knife into the small anal opening at rear and cut along to head opening

The innerds just fall out then

Then there is a blood sack that runs along the spine, burst this with knife point and wash cavity out

You now have a fish like this that can be slashed and grilled/baked whole if you wish


This fish would take no more than 10 mins under the grill, 5 min both side or 15 min in oven with a bit of fennel and white wine yumm yumm

[pingu]

Takeing the fillets off

If you wish to totally fillet the fish
Lay on side and find backbone, this gives you the line of bones to follow
Cut along and then follow bone structure




And cut away at the tail


Turn over and repeat, this side is a touch trickier but exactly the same
You will then have 2 fillets and some bones for stock if required

Which you will need to remove the pin bone from



And there you go
Tea just waiting for the pan


I hope this helpsyou all, there are other meathods and cuts and if get another fish may do post on them as well

Big thanks to daughter katie for photography again

Beer1
dave

[Norfolkboy]

Great post Dave

[Fishing Forum Admin]

cracking well done mate

[silverfish]

Well done mate great read.

[MrCat]

The man is pure brilliance! Thanks!!

[paulfy4]

im new to the forum,and a total beginner,this looks great,well done,good pics too

[philipn]

great pics are you a fishmonger? you can get rid of the blood when u catch the fish by cutting under the gills and breakig head back let it hang by tail the fillets stay whiter

[luremaker]

ive been a profesional fishmonger for 20 years and i can say thats the best filetting ive seen in a long while,so many folk cok it up! 10/10

[pingu]

Originally Posted by luremaker

ive been a profesional fishmonger for 20 years and i can say thats the best filetting ive seen in a long while,so many folk cok it up! 10/10

thank you luremaker thats made my day