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10 step lesson plan for getting a frying size catfish ready for a
spicy corn meal batter and hot grease:
Step 1: A sharp filet knife is must. Shively says he rarely uses a sharpening
stone, but he touches up the blade on steel after every fish. The sharper the
knife, the easier the job.
Step 2: Beginning at the back of the head, make two shallow cuts, one on each
side of the dorsal fin. Join the cuts on the back side of the dorsal fin.
Continue one of the cuts about two inches down the center of the fish's back.
Step 3: Using skinning pliers, grab the skin on the top side near the head and
twist downward, towards the belly. Pull the skin about halfway down the body and
stop. Repeat the process on the opposite side. Alternate sides until the skin
comes off at the tail.
Step 4: Make a shallow incision down each side of the anal fin. This allows for
easy removal of the fin and bones later.
Step 5: Make a V-shaped cut beginning on the back side of each pectoral fin. The
cuts should meet on the bottom side of the lower jaw.
Step 6: Make a incision just behind the anus and stop at the base of the ventral
fins.
Step 7: Grab the ventral fins with pliers and pull to the head. This removes any
remaining skin on the body cavity.
Step 8: Use the skinning pliers to remove the dorsal fin and remove the head.
Step 9: Open the body cavity and use the pliers to remove the guts.
Step 10:Use pliers to remove the anal fin, rinse until clean. Bag and freeze in
water.
"The trick to cleaning a big cat is to bleed it out good and make sure to get
all the fat off the meat."
Channel cats weighing 1-3 pounds are a whole lot less trouble. None of that rank
fat or tart, red meat to worry about on a fish that size. Just skin and a
fistful of guts.
Cleaning a frying size cat is a simple process that calls for a cut here, a
slice there and a firm grip for peeling back the slimy coat.
Catfish Cleaning Essentials
A flat, clean surface
A sharp filet knife
Skinning pliers
Kevlar glove
Gallon freezer bags
Make Your Own Fish Bait To Catch More & Bigger Trout, Catfish, And Carp.
Make Your Own Fish Bait!
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