I have used the cheapie filet knives you get at the tackle stores and they are OK, but I am not impressed. I like good blades and do not mind paying a little more for a blade I can get razor sharp. I also want a decent length, 9 inches or more for the blade. Suggest a good filet knife for me, and could you also share some tips you may have discovered on techniques?

I like Rapala. I had a good one, and left it at a cleaning table. I bought something cheap after that, and it works fine. Some people go with teh electric knives. I do just as well without them.

Dexter Russell.

Been looking at Dexter Russell, looks good fr the price. I was also looking at Bubba Blades, but man that's pretty steep for stainless steel, I prefer carbon steel if possible (I clean fish at the house, and take care of knives, so carbon steel won't rust here). Then again, you don't get as much fles with high carbon, just a better blade.

Still shopping, looking like Dexter though...

I like Rapala, work well holds an edge, and they have good flex.

I also have a Rapala electric knife for sawing through bigger fish then I use a regular blade to skin em.

My Spyderco Sharp Maker works well on keeping all my blades very sharp, including the electric blades.

Never had an issue with my rapalas, if the dexter russell I as good as their butchering knives I used in college you can't go wrong. My favorite knife was a DR 12" cimeter and forschner boning knives

Rapalas,great flex and can keep a good edge on them.Mine is at the bottom of 181 cove, at calaveras lake.Next time I am attaching a float to the handle strap.

I like Rapala for both manual and electric. Unless you are going to care for it like a gourmet kitchen knife, I wouldn't spend a lot of money.

The best knife I've ever found was the American Angler Ultra. They had great stock knives and the shark blades that you could buy were truly great. They have the strongest motor I've ever seen in a fillet knife.

Have said that, American Angler no longer produces that model. The good news is that there new model while not as comfortable to hold, still has the same great motor.

Check em out, they last, my current knife has outlasted my buddies. I'm still using the same knife and he's burnt up two Rapalas and one Berkley. He's spent more one three knives and fought them the whole time, then I have using the same quality knife.

Tight Lines

I've always wanted to try a Leach Lake Knife. Kinda pricey, somewhat a keepsake, but a very good quality blade. Our company has a few plants up in Iowa and Minnesota, and the folks up there swear by them. Dont know if they still ship this way, but one guy told me you get the knife, leathercase, and a band aid with your order. Interesting photos and story about them here:

http://www.leechlakeknife.com/Leech_Lake_Knife/Home.html

Wow, that leech lake knife is very tempting. I am somewhat of a knife collector and love a good handmade blade. I have some khukuris from Nepal (not tourist versions, strong working blades) that are not only great tools but heirlooms, and have purchased custom blades before. I am tempted. The problem is that I need a good working blade and wouldn't want to use a Leech Lake knife because I'd not want to get such a fine handle fishy and a good blade marred. Very tempting though...

I've been using my Dexter Russel knives for 11 years now. I just bought a a new one while on vacation for $7.99 Great knives for the money. If you look at the fish houses in Port A they are using DR knives to work with. That's part of the reason I went with them.

Shun Classic 6-in. Boning and Fillet Knife
130.00 and worth every single penny.
had one for 3 years, and never had to sharpen, and I cut some bones

Russel knifes! been using them for ever.... dont tell anyone but I have a whole set of the small knifes for steak knifes at the house..