Whether you call them "smallies" or "bronze backs"
or some other name, a fresh-water small mouth bass is some of the most fun to
catch: they are great fighters... and they also make for some excellent
eating!
As the largest member of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae), when trying
to fillet them, the anatomy of bass causes a very similar problem to
that encountered when cleaning a Bluegill,
although bass have their own peculiarities associated with them. Below is
a portion of the step-by-step process that I follow. As always, the key ingredient to a
successful job is the right tool - the right tool here definitely being a very
sharp knife! How important is a sharp knife? I finally
went out and bought myself one of the best:
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7-in. Twin Pro S Fillet Knife
 ...Then, rotate the fish and,
starting at the top or backbone side of the fish – and using the tip of
the blade – cut through the skin and along the dorsal fin/backbone…to a
point approximately at the end/back of the dorsal fin (see Figure 2)...
Now available from R. Karl as a 5-page article in .pdf format,
the entire step-by-step instructions on Filleting Smallmouth
Bass, along with a special recipe, can now be purchased and
downloaded for only $1.99! After purchase, a link to the
downloadable file will be emailed to you. The article can then be
easily printed and/or laminated to become a must-have accompaniment
for your tackle box and a set of instructions you won’t want to be
without; it also makes a great gift for that hard-to-buy-a-gift-for
fisherman!
Buy Now
Bundle Special (Save 33% off the
regular price)
Now available from R. Karl, step-by-step
instructions on filleting all four of the most popular freshwater
gamefish (northern
pike,walleye, smallmouth
bass and bluegill)
bundled as one downloadable .zip file for only $5.99
3.99 ! Buy
Now
Comments
from readers who have used these instructions:
"I just wanted to take a moment to
thank you for your article on cleaning bass. I found your article
very helpful in cleaning my first bass. (I have only cleaned
catfish before today.) The description and pictures were both
great. (W.M.)
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