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Cleaning a fish is quite simple and can make eating a fish you caught yourself all the more satisfying. For this article we’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cleaning a fresh fish. Follow these tips and you’ll be cooking up a delicious meal in no time!
Steps
Question 3 of 5:
How do you gut fish before cooking?
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Start by cutting a shallow incision from the anus up towards the head. The small hole on the belly of the fish, back near the tail, is the anus. Using a sharp fillet knife, make a shallow cut from here along the belly of the fish, stopping at the base of the gills. [3] X Expert Source Michael Reynolds
Professional Fishing Instructor Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.- Don't jam the knife all the way inside the fish or you can cut the intestines open. You want a shallow cut so that you can pull them out intact, preventing messy (and unappetizing) spillage. [4] X Research source
- The process for gutting a fish is the same for any size or type of fish.
- If you want to gut fish in the wild, bring a sharp fillet knife with you and a bucket to work over and dump the guts into. If you’re gutting fish at home, work on a clean work surface, such as a cutting board.
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Use your fingers or a dull spoon to scoop out the fish's innards. Get in there and get everything out. These gummy, long guts should come out without much of a fight. Make sure to check inside to get out anything you missed, like a large, dark kidney that some fish have in the back or some strands of innards along the walls. [5] X Expert Source Michael Reynolds
Professional Fishing Instructor Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.- Don’t leave anything inside the fish. Pull out everything from inside until you only see flesh.
- It’s up to you whether or not to cut off the head. If you want to cook the fish whole, leave the head on. If you want to fillet the fish, chop it off right below the gills.
- If you want to remove the dorsal fin, simply grip the fin tightly near the tail and pull quickly in the direction of the head to rip it out cleanly.
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Finish by rinsing out the inside of the fish with a stream of water. Spread open the cavity and hold it under a stream of cool, running water. Rinse it out thoroughly to remove any remaining residue from the guts. [6] X Research source
- Rinsing the inside of the fish very well gets rid of strong, oily flavors that the entrails can leave behind.
- Be really careful when handling the fish because some fish have particularly sharp fins and/or teeth that could cut your hands.
- If you’re cleaning a fish out in the wild, you can rinse it out in a clean creek or river.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you’re done cleaning and handling the fish.
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Question 5 of 5:
What is the easiest way to remove fish scales?
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Scrape the scales off with the back of a knife. Hold the fish firmly by the tail with your non-dominant hand. Starting at the tail, scrape the back of the knife along the whole length of the fish until you reach the head. Repeat this until all the scales flake off, then do it again on the other side of the fish. Wash the fish thoroughly when you’re done removing the scales. [7] X Research source
- You can also scrape scales off with a spoon or another dull utensil that won’t cut into the fish.
- It can help to scale under running water, or simply underwater in the sink, to prevent a mess.
- Don't worry if you miss a few scales—they aren't tasty, but they won't hurt anyone.
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Skin thick-skinned fish instead of removing the scales. If you’re cleaning something like a bullhead, a catfish, or another thick-skinned bottom feeder, Skin it. To do so, cut a 1 in (2.5 cm) notch right where the top of the fish's head meets its body. Then, gripping the fish from the head, peel the skin back to the tail. Rinse the flesh thoroughly when you’re done. [8] X Research source
- These types of fish, in particular, have a thick, unappealing skin that most people remove before cooking.
- You can use a pair of catfish pliers to peel the skin off more easily.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I cut a fish into fish steaks?Michael Reynolds is a Professional Fishing Instructor and the Owner of Long Beach, California Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds. In his over 40 years of fishing experience, Michael has become very knowledgeable about the variety of fishing methods and techniques. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with beginners to experienced anglers. Michael has been guiding and teaching fishing for over five years and is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).Clean it following the steps above, then cut off the head. Starting from that cut, measure back 1 inch and cut through the whole fish. One-inch thick is the recommended portion width—after pan-frying for seven minutes on each side over medium/high heat in a nicely oiled pan, it will be cooked to perfection!
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QuestionWhat kind of knife should I use?Michael Reynolds is a Professional Fishing Instructor and the Owner of Long Beach, California Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds. In his over 40 years of fishing experience, Michael has become very knowledgeable about the variety of fishing methods and techniques. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with beginners to experienced anglers. Michael has been guiding and teaching fishing for over five years and is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).Make sure you're using a really sharp knife! I always carry a sharpening stone with me too.
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QuestionHow long can fish stay on ice before cleaning?Kody Lee is a Guide for Fishing Trips in Washington. He has worked as a guide since 2015 and has fished his entire life.This depends on many variables so there is no one answer. At the very least, try to clean them the day you caught them.
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References
- ↑ https://sportfishingbuddy.com/how-long-can-you-keep-ungutted-fish-on-ice/
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/tips_for_preserving_fresh_fish
- ↑ Michael Reynolds. Professional Fishing Instructor. Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/how-to-catch-fish/how-to-clean-a-fish/
- ↑ Michael Reynolds. Professional Fishing Instructor. Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/how-to-catch-fish/how-to-clean-a-fish/
- ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-scale-a-fish
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oYmvJUVXaA&t=89s
- Videos provided by yellowsaffron
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean a fish, lay down some newspaper to protect your work surface and use a dull knife or spoon to scrape off the scales, working from the tail to the head. Next, cut a shallow incision from the anus, which is the small hole on the belly of the fish, up to the head, stopping at the base of the gills. Then, scoop out the fish's innards with your fingers or a spoon, cut the head off, and remove the dorsal fin by pulling on it firmly. Finally, rinse the fish off, inside and out, with cool water. For tips on filleting a fish, read on!
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