Fishing knife suggestions?

W

Will

Joined
Jan 4, 2003
Messages
659
I going to get back into fishing (haven't done it since I was kid) and of course will need to get some knives. I am looking at the Mora Fishing Comfort 150 (with the scaler) and 155. I know Moras are well regarded for the price, does the same go for their fishing knives? Any comments on those blades or other suggestions for a start-up kit for freshwater panfish in Arizona?
 
The Moras should work just fine. You just need a very sharp knife and generally one with a thin blade for fileting. I mostly trout fish and I generally only have my Vic SAK with me most of the time along with clippers. I also have a Schrade filet knife that is really nice, but since I am not into pan fish and seldom catch large fish in general, I really don't use it. I throw back all the trout I catch.

However, bluegill, sunfish, and crappie are hard to beat in the "pan". I sometimes go out in my kayak and fish for "whatever" warm water fish. Usually catch crappie and smallish large mouths. Would love to do some small mouth fishing however.
 
You rang?

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With panfish it really doesn't take much knife to get the job done. Often as not I just use a Schrade Sharpfinger or a pocketknife.
 
For blades i vote a mora or a pocketknife. For just gutting panfish i usually just use a Case peanut now. The peanut has a 2 7/8" blade.
For a panfish startup kit in arizona... wait, there's water in arizona?? :D
For a kit i recommend bait hooks, bobbers, split shots (those 3 for live bait, cain't beat nightcrawlers), rooster tails or other spinners, rebel crickhoppers, rapala minnows, and little twister-tails. That's all i use here in Missouri for crappie, bluegill, and sunfish. Don't be afraid to try your hand at a fly rod. Trout fishing on the fly might be complicated but panfish are easy even for the beginner (I'm a fly-fishing beginner for sure). For rod and reel i usually use an old old Zebco 33 with 4 lb line and an ugly stik or something.
 
I agree with Codger on the Sharpfinger. Not only is it a very cool classic design, it's also perfect for the task. Find a good one from before 2004 and you won't be disappointed.
 
I have a Mora bait knife and it works exceptionally well for filleting fish. I have filleted plent of snapper, jack makeral blue cod and it preforms really well in this task. Also if you get a Mora with a shorter blade, say around 105mm long, it can also work great as a utility knife. Great thing with Moras is that they come with thin blades (2.5mm thick) and super sharp out of the box.
 
I like a good old fashion slip joint for gutting trout.

Panfish and bass though don't need to be gutted so any thin bladed knife works well when all your doing is cutting down the side of the dorsal fin and around the rib to free the fillet. I use a thin fillet knife when I get home but if I'm camping I'll use whatever I have, a small BRKT and ESEE or whatever. I wouldn't spend to much on a panfish knife pretty much anything sharp and thin will work just fine, I'd go with the Mora like you said then if it falls in the lake you won't be crying over a lost $200 blade.
 
Interesting that some people go to the trouble to fillet panfish. I usually just gut and scale them, behead them and cook them whole. Bigger fish like bass and crappie, sure. There is a lot more meat there. Of course this is just how I was taught to do it and by no means is it the only way.
 
Codger_64 said:
Interesting that some people go to the trouble to fillet panfish. I usually just gut and scale them, behead them and cook them whole. Bigger fish like bass and crappie, sure. There is a lot more meat there. Of course this is just how I was taught to do it and by no means is it the only way.
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Do you use a scaler or just the back of the knife blade?
 
Cutco Fishermans Friend: I've cleaned thousands of pounds of tuna/dorado with one as well as plenty of little freshwater fish. I've tried a LOT of fishing knives and that one does it all.
 
Codger_64 said:
Interesting that some people go to the trouble to fillet panfish. I usually just gut and scale them, behead them and cook them whole. Bigger fish like bass and crappie, sure. There is a lot more meat there. Of course this is just how I was taught to do it and by no means is it the only way.
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Honestly I think it's more work to gut, scale, and behead them than to fillet them. Check this out, this is exactly how I do it. It's worth it when you bring home a bucket full. Bread 'em and fry 'em. Once you do it a few times you can have two boneless fillets in a about 30 seconds.

[video=youtube;lzTafrSF7T4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzTafrSF7T4[/video]
 
Cool video. This is pretty much the same way I fillet larger fish like bass. It just doesn't seem to take very long to prepare one my way though. But next time I get a stringer, I'll try each species both ways to see what is easiest, quickest and yields the most meat. Thanks!

Oh, I'll add that my Sharpfinger (3 1/2" blade) could do either. I have at least eight full fillet knives, but never use them as such except on large fish.
 
Codger, so I take it the sharp finger is well worth it? Does it work well for filleting small to medium sized fish? I been looking for a new fillet knife and was thinking about having one custom made but for $30 or less on ebay I can pick up a sharp finger if that will work just as well as a fillet knife. So is it well worth it?
 
For a fillet knife I like the old wood handled Rapalas.Been using them most of my life,they get air bleedin' sharp.For cleaning fish I like my Buck 102 Woodsman.It's a nice small fixed,with no fuss for cleaning it afterwards.But,I still like using my Slippies once in awhile.
 
VTguy17 said:
Codger, so I take it the sharp finger is well worth it? Does it work well for filleting small to medium sized fish? I been looking for a new fillet knife and was thinking about having one custom made but for $30 or less on ebay I can pick up a sharp finger if that will work just as well as a fillet knife. So is it well worth it?
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To me it is an excellent value. Of course I have used one since they first came out circa 1974. And as the hyperbolic ad suggests, I use it on every variety of small game, fish and even deer. If you look for one on the bay, be sure you are getting one U.S. made. They are being copied in China now. Used ones go for cheap. If you happen to buy a used one and it doesn't have a sheath, PM me and I can send you a new one for postage. The NIB ones go for a bit more and I buy those for my collection. They range from $45-100. But I still have my original one now 38 yars old. You can get an earlier one which is 1095hc carbon steel (my preference), or you can get one made 2002-04 and made in 400 series stainless if you prefer. One great advantage of the pattern, to me, is that it is short and rides well on the belt even when seated in a boat, car or truck. And with a 3 1/2" blade isn't illegal most places.
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