(top to bottom) Japanese scaler, Rapala Fish and Game Shears, Rapala Salt Angler’s Curved Filet Knife – 10 inch size
I hadn’t cleaned a fish since mid-May, when Kelly gave me the nabeta he caught in the deep with me (I had bites but got skunked). Here’s what happened that day. This week, I had the chance to use my new fish cleaning tools on the omilu I caught kayaking with Frank.
Old picture of a small omilu on the Cabela’s Deluxe Filet Table with lousy scaler and kitchen knife
I had been using the Cabela’s Deluxe Filet Table with sink and running water, but was using an old school aluminum scaler and a kitchen knife. I could scale fish in the sink, under water, to minimize flying scales, and clean and filet fish on the table with easy cleanup, but the scaler wasn’t good for small scaled fish, and the knife wasn’t sharp or hefty enough to cut through thick bone.
The fish I was about to clean measured 15.5 inches on the front edge of the Deluxe Filet Table, shorter than I had thought! Maybe it shrank in the fridge? 😛
I tried the Japanese scaler Frank had recommended. It’s sold locally at POP, and probably other places that sell kitchen ware. The brass teeth easily pulled the omilu’s scales out, and it had a nice weighted feel. Best scaler I’ve ever used.
Next, I opened the omilu up with the Rapala Fish and Game Shears, nimbly slicing the stomach cavity without cutting into the stomach, and easily cut the gills off the throat. With a knife, I’ve always had trouble chopping the gills free. The Fish and Game Shears are currently on Amazon Prime for under $13.
The Rapala Salt Angler’s Curved Filet Knife with 10 inch blade was over kill for the omilu but the sharp, strong, no-flex blade made easy work removing the scutes and cutting off the head and tail. In the past, I had to use a sawing action with my smaller kitchen knife. I didn’t filet the omilu before giving it to my dad but did have to remove all the fluorescent yellow worms of different thicknesses in the head, gill and stomach areas. Disgusting! The Salt Angler’s 10 inch Curved Filet Knife is currently on Amazon Prime for under $40.
Hot Tip: The Cabela’s folding filet table goes on sale around Christmas time, for about $50 and free shipping. What a steal! It’s much easier to clean fish standing up, with running water to clean off.
Having the right fish cleaning tools makes a messy job so much easier. What tools do you guys use?
My favorite and cheapest fish scaler was a piece of finger coral. It would scale any type of fish, even small-scaled fish like manini and aweoweo
That’s cuz you’re from BI Rich! On Oahu we don’t know how to do that kine stuff. Thanks for the feedback.
-scott
My mother used to just use a spoon or the spine of a knife. I’ve heard of people using forks too. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen those Japanese scalers at Marukai a long time ago. I have to confess, I have not cleaned many fish myself. On the rare occasion I do keep something, i usually give it to my parents. Guess I’m too lazy lol
Jason,
I used to have my dad clean my fish since he was gonna cook and eat it anyway but my wife said “be nice to your dad” so now I clean it. ‘Course he always has a criticism about how it was cleaned!
-scott
Sounds a bit like my father lol
I think you need to do a video demo on cleaning fish. Next time I have fish to clean, will you do it? haha
… and be nice to your dad! 🙂
Maybe I should video him since he says I don’t clean fish correctly? 😉
You wouldn’t want me cleaning your fish. I’d be leaving too much meat on the bones for the cats.