I've always used traditional, fixed blade fillet knives. After an index finger injury in '09 (non-fish related), I am forced to fillet slow and steady. This lack of efficiency doesn't include maintenance of the blade and dealing with bones either, especially when you're lucky enough to get into a real crappie bite..
I'm thinking a jump to an electric knife may help.. Any insight and/or guidance would be greatly appreciated from the great AZCA world of knowledge!
Some basic questions..
How often, or at what point (number of fish) do you bring out the electric?
Like many items, do you get what you pay for?
Recommendations on manufacturers/brands/models?
Any specific methods or strategies?
Watching others at the SCF fish cleaning party, it looks like you fillet off the entire half of the fish then cut the bones out. Seems easy enough. Standing beside Sandman, he made it look way too easy for me not to give it shot, just looking for any general suggestions while getting started!
Thanks!
I have a rapala ac/dc electric knife. It is a little slow, but once I got used to it works great. Came with 2 different blade sizes, and it all fits back into a plastic case. Love the fact that I can use it with a 12 volt battery, plug it into my vehicle, or into an AC jack.
Man, I wish that I could recommend a brand. I have used many that were great and then bought a replacement the same brand that was junk. Mr Twister and American Angler come to mind as inconsistent models that I've purchased. My good ones are going on 8 yrs old so someone that has purchased one recently can probably give you a better recommendation.
I would say stick with metal gears.
I prefer a traditional fillet knife but if there are more than 10, I pull out the electric.
I will never switch back to regular after using electric for first time. Takes a couple filets to figure out but once u do so fast and clean. Unused this link http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=ykY6aVDm6Ck&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DykY6aVDm6Ck to help me this past weekend was first time I used one and love it. From now on I would use for a single fish or a cooler full. With electric I get more of the yummy meat. Old way tends not to be as efficient. I mean think about instead of making multiple cuts its a couple per fish and done. When you get enough practice with electric you can start turning one cut into to mulitple cuts without stoping. Hard to explain on form. But that link is good for anyone wanting to learn with electric knife quickly. And on a brand I would not know much about that 1. I got a black and decker works good for me. It's double bladed and they isolate back and forth
I have both the 12volt DC and 110volt AC models of the "American anglers" fillet knife. Love them both the 110ac has more power but the 12volt works fine also, great contoured hand grip and it came with good fillet blades, they started to dull out even after sharpening, was in Walmart one day and they were doing a close out on fishing stuff and had replacement blades for the units (blades interchangeable on 12 and 110) and they were $4 a pair bought 3 pairs sold one to a buddy and they are the most assume blade I have ever used, thinner, very flexible and cut through the bone and skin like a scalpel. My hands get tired but can fillet through 50 fish in no time and the unit hardly slows down, great fillet knife.
One secret I learned from a buddy before you start take a little vegetable oil or cooking spray like Pam, and put some between the two blades as a lubricant before you start and the blades never get gunk-ed up and slow down.
I have the same one as Sparkchaser...the Rapala, AC/DC that fits into the little case.
Good knife. Mine had a safety that you had to depress each time you pull the trigger...that safety was removed last weekend. Other than that, it has been terrific!
The best thing about it is, in addition to it being 12/110v, it comes with PLENTY of cord. That's a pain when you're trying to pack it back up, but a real advantage when you're cutting.
--I vote with Yukonleft and Sparkchaser---Rappala 12/120 --Spare blades can be purchased at Walmart ( most inexpensive place)
Well guys that was exactly what I wanted and more, thanks to all for the great input. Fishless, great tip on the oil!
Think I'll start looking around with your suggestions in mind. I like the ac/dc integration but may hesitate in buying rapala electric products.. May be an exception this time, however. Or, I'll look for alternatives. If I end up doing something out of the box I'll share it back with the group.
Thanks again!
I went out of the box on several occasions, buying every "overpriced, over advertised" electric knife--only to return to Rapala---
Not expensive--VERY reliable, great edge on blades--long lasting sharpness----I'll never switch---
Quote from: The Desert Rat on April 10, 2013, 09:30 AM
I went out of the box on several occasions, buying every "overpriced, over advertised" electric knife--only to return to Rapala---
Not expensive--VERY reliable, great edge on blades--long lasting sharpness----I'll never switch---
:lol_hitting: You a Rapala Rep!? Sounds damn convincing TDR!
I wish I worked for Rapala----Can't make any money in Crappie Tournaments :crybaby2:
If one evaluates all the attributes and faults of the electric fish fillet knife, Rapala stands tall ---and---relatively inexpensive--the replacement blades are available in "almost" every sporting goods store, including Walmart .
See you on lake ( Bartlett)
http://www.amazon.com/Rapala-Lithium-Cordless-Fillet-Knife/product-reviews/B005ZU1AJ0/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
The customer reviews on amazon for the Cordless - Lithium Rapala Battery are outstanding compared to all the others. Including the $50 AC/DC all in one...
The attention required to charge the damn thing scares me... People (reviewers) say the batteries last though, and you can buy a backup battery for $24..
I'm with Fishless, my American angler has filleted hundreds of fish: stripers, crappie, SM, LM, catfish, Gills, Walleyes and has never failed me. I even dropped it in a livewell full of water last year at lake powell and went back to filleting after it dried out. I also like the skinny Piranha blades Bruce mentioned. Also, I really liked the knife I borrowed from Fishhawk at crappiethon.
Gotta give a thumbs-up to my American Angler. I dropped it hard the first day that I used it. I hear pieces rattling around inside it but it still keeps cutting. Filleted lots of redfish and red snapper with it and it keeps going. I have short and long Piranha blades for it. They work with many models of filet knives and they are sharp.
one thing about battery operated models always seems like the battery dies about 10 fish from being done? :dontknow: and you have to remember to charge them etc. the 12volt model plugs into any cigarette ligther or you can clip in on a battery directly, I got sold on the 12volt when fileting out on the boat on the lake like powell etc. I am sure the rapala is a good unit also
My Mister Twister is about 6-7 yrs old and still works perfect. It's a 110 volt. I have processed many fish in that time and it never fails. just putt'n in my 2 cents worth. :dance:
Quote from: kicked back on April 16, 2013, 09:01 PM
My Mister Twister is about 6-7 yrs old and still works perfect. It's a 110 volt. I have processed many fish in that time and it never fails. just putt'n in my 2 cents worth. :dance:
I have two of these that I have used for 9 years and have nothing but good things to say about them. Blades are available everywhere and inexpensive. Can't go wrong.
What about the Bubba Blade? Anyone have or use one? Saw a commercial during crappie masters and they fillet a slab one knife. The bubba 9" flex looked bad azz. I know when I use electric I always go back with filet knife and trim out rib bones separate. Just wondering if good investment? Also in my opinion I think would save lil time with only using 1 real sharp knife for everything. Was gonna start new topic but kinda fit.
Believe it or not I bought a Ginzu Electric knife at BPS and love it. Has all the bells and whistles (car charger, 12 volt, 110 volt, 2 sets of blades) If memory is correct I think it was about $40.00 bucks. Blades have stayed sharp through hundreds of fish and have never even thought of replacing them.
I wanna try a Bubba Blade also but my Kershaw works fine when I need a non-electric.