What's a good knife to fillet crappie with? I have used several including the Bubba blade, and I can't keep a good edge on any of them. Need one to keep a good edge on cutting thru the rib cages. Any ideas?

I like the mister twister electric. Not too expensive.

If you are cutting thru ribs with a non electric knife, you are doing it wrong..
Get a wood handle rapala, cut around the ribs. A few strokes with a crock stick each session will keep it shaving sharp.
Mo

American Angler PRO model
It's pricey, but will last. I've had mine going on 4 years, and I go through thousands of filets per year.
The cheap ones are cheap, well...because they're cheap. The internal parts are majorly upgraded in that PRO model. Doesn't overheat either. I've gone through 100 crappie (200 filets) without a break and never slowed down.
My

I second AMERICAN ANGLER PRO (ORANGE) with the Saltwater Blades.

I never got proficient with my Bubba blade. I use the cheap mister twister electric knife and use the Academy replacement blades on it. Frank has a Rapala knife that you can hook up to 120/12v that is SHARP.

I got mine when someone on here pointed out Amazon had a great deal. I just had the pleasure of using it for the first time Tues evening. It's the real deal. I used it with the 'shark' blade'. It is by far the best I've ever used. I seem to get a cleaner and more meat (closer to the bone) cut. The tip of the shark blade made it easy cutting out the ribs as I use electric knives to do all the filleting, including de-ribbing.

I found getting the shark blades inserted to be difficult. Afterwards, I found the instructions for insertion when I was looking for something else. It was me so this will easily be corrected. I did find the handle to run hot to the touch after several fillets. I might where a glove to see if that helps but a glove will cause some loss of 'feel'.

I am real pleased with its performance at the great price I got; but I wouldn't spend the regular price for it.

Are use the American angler, I get about 2,600 crappie out of it before the gears strip out. Great knifes. A lot of the knives out there the motor doesn't turn fast enough for the blades to cut fast.

alot of the problems with all of the electric fillet knives is inconsisitancy in the sharpness of the blades. it is hit and miss. if the blades are sharp, even the cheaper knives work great. I ve bought replacement blades that just sucked... then retued them for another set, and those cut great. yes , some knives are built better, but the blades do the cutting,..

Mo: You are correct. Unless you are a fishing guide cleaning multiple limits every day, all you need is a little rapala. I can clean 10-15 crappie without ever having to sharpen my knife.

I have an older American Angler Model 31000. I don't clean limits of fish every day, but it has definitely been through a few hundred sand bass and other species here and there. It also carves the holiday turkey each year. As was stated, sharp blades are the key to not burning up the motor.

Another tip: If you have a lot of fish to clean, spray some cooking spray on the inner side of the blades to reduce friction and gunk build up.

Ask any deck hand on a commercial boat
DEXTER is the brand preferred.
I use a Dexter while the pos Bubba sits in a drawer.
I still work the old school hand knife method,I cut around the bones
My fillets always have just a tad more recovered meat because of it
I also still use the top edge of my trucks window as the perfect strop to realign the edge every 10-12 fish.
I never wait till the edge is completely rolled and dragging
Anyway . . . . . DEXTER

American Angler PRO............best iv ever used by far.gone through 4 Mr Twisters..didnt want to pay $100 for one but glad i did!

This may seem weird but I think I prefer the Walmart Black and Decker $13 knife. I bought one of the AMERICAN ANGLER PRO (ORANGE) and bought the shark blade. And yes I bought into the Bubba Blade BS too. I will say the Bubba Blade is excellent to slice brisket with and smoked Chicken breast.

My Dad's old wood handled 45 year old Rapala with the leather case is the best rib trimmer ever.

are the blades real sharp and tough or does dat ting got a hemi? (da mota_ )

one way to preserve the blade is not cut into the rib cages, look at the you tub r video.. faster than most. you make an inscision before the cage.

If anybody is looking for a American Angler Pro with standard blades and Shark blade also, I have one I used once and would sell it. First I'll take it for $60 gets it. Shipping on your dime via USPS so about $5-10 for that or you can pick it up here in Sanger.

I'll take it Bobby!

It's yours BB. Sent ya a PM

Can you provide link? I have several ways I fillet depending on circumstances. I'm not sure if I understand what you mean about the incision. I'm always interesting in different approaches to filleting. Thanks.

I have this model of American Angler

http://wardsstore.net/index.php/american-angler-110v-electric-fillet-knife.html

I dislike it. The blades will not stay in it. I don't know if the way I hold it causes me to bump the release button or if the angle I like to cut causes them to come lose, but all I know is about the time I get on a roll, the blades end up on the table or stuck in a fish and the knife motor is still in my hand.

I'll have to try the pro model I guess. Mr. Twisters have shocked the living daylights out of me more than once and with different knives. So I know it isn't just a bad one. I won't get them again.

Saltwater Piranha with the shark blade. $44.00. i had it for 8 years now.

Sorry you did not like you American Angler Pro Bobby.

Dad and I love ours. We use the Saltwater Blades to fillet the fish.

We use these for taking out the ribs.

https://morakniv.se/en/product/fishing-comfort-fillet-155/

If you look up Block sharpener and use it to quickly sharpen your electric knife blades, you will never buy another set because the others got dull! This sharpener will change that forever. Cheap enough too. One of the absolute best investments I have ever made.

This is what I use, best I have found.

Cheers,

George

Got it Bobby!!! Thanks!!! Great knives, but so are my Bubba Blades. I am a little faster with the AA, but if I don't want to drag out the cord then the Bubba Blade works fine. Anyone that doubts the Bubba Blade needs to fillet next to Laner!!!!

Good deal. I got 3 Black and Deckers today from Walmart. $38 with tax. Free Shipping. And everyone walked away happy. Thanks BB.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-And-Dec...13=&veh=sem

I just buy electric knives at estate sales and garage sale. 2 - 4 bucks Use them until they get dull. Then chunk them in the trash.

Thanks Bobby!!!! I hope you burn those knives up this summer because you had soooo many fish to clean!!!!! You're a good man Bobby!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8BvdvJFAug

at abt the 38 seconds of the vid, watch how he make a little flap, with his knife, that allows his knife to bypass the rib cage... THAT IS THE KEY.. then you just run your knife right thru the part you want, and your knife never touches the rib cage.. Its like a surgeon would do it. just smart.

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