Catfish Fillets: 5 Simple How To Steps (infographic)

Fried catfish, hush puppies and coleslaw … that ought to set your mouth to watering just thinking about it.  But to turn a mess of blues, flatheads, or channel cats into supper you need to know how cut boneless fillets.  Here’s a method to get it done faster than you can say “vanilla pudding for dessert!”

FISH FILLET EQUIPMENT:

1. Fillet Knife – must have a flexible blade that will hold its edge.  Grip of hard material such as wood, plastic, etc. is desirable as it provides the best feel. Some filleting techniques especially require “feel” which soft grips inhibit.  Shorter blades are also more sensitive, but for filleting fish it’s better to have a blade that’s too long rather than too short; 8- to 10-inch blades are most common.

2. Filleting Glove - the same kind of fillet glove like the popular Offshore Angler glove used in commercial meat processing prevents nicks and cuts to the off hand and enhances grip on slippery fish and fillets.

3. Cutting Board – the bigger the fillet board the better. Surface should be smooth to allow for easiest skinning and cleaning. The Rapala Fillet Board comes in two sizes for really big fish. It's food-grade approved by both the FDA and USDA. Smart design features a built-in handle and border grooves to keep liquids from spilling over the edges.

4. Vacuum Sealer -  for any fish fillets you’re not going to cook and eat immediately, vacuum sealing is by far the best way to preserve quality in the freezer for the longest time. The Cabela's 15" Commercial-Grade Vacuum Sealer has Smart Heat Technology that delivers continuous sealing with no waiting periods to help you get through large sealing jobs faster. This vacuum sealer has a high-speed cooling fan that quickly exhausts excess heat plus Built-in bag storage, bag cutter, and bag-positioning guides. Check out the wide selection of vacuum sealers at Bass Pro Shops here

5. Trash Receptacle – for entrails.

Check out the fishing tips and find more information about catfish fishing at Bass Pro Shops

Here is a YouTube video showing how to fillet catfish.

Click here to see a larger view of the catfish fillet guide or print the how to fillet catfish graphic here.