How to Fillet a Rockfish

Rockfish is also known as striped bass. It has a meaty texture and so makes perfect fillets.

Rockfish also known as striped bass or "Striper" fish is a common fish in North America. It has a thick meaty texture and can thrive in both salt water and fresh water environments. Rockfish are fast and strong predators who feed on anything from trout, salmon, shad, and bluegill to bait fish, sand eels, blood worms, squid, and crustaceans. This is a diet that provides the fish with their large meaty frames, making them perfect for catching and cooking. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Sharp firm fillet knife
Chopping Board
Pliers

Instructions

Filleting the Fish
- 1
  
  Clean and rinse the fish, removing any dirt or excess materials attached to the fish. Cut from the fin down through to the stomach and discard the fin. Cut into the the head of the fish and slice along the neck of the fish from bottom to the top. Do not cut the head of the fish off, just make a deep enough incision to loosen the flesh on that side of the fish.
- 2
  
  Slice from the head of the fish along it's back to the tail. Drive the knife into the fish and slice slowly ensuring that it is a clean cut. Flip the fish and do the same on the other side. Slice on either side of the bones. Cut slowly from the head to the tail.
- 3
  
  Cut the belly of the fish in the same way. Cut from the head along the belly of the fish to it's tail. This should leave the flesh where the fillet is loose.
- 4
  
  Reposition the knife at the head of the fish and cut from the head to the tail. Drive the knife further into the fish this time slicing off the loose flesh until it is totally separated. Turn the fish over and do the same thing on the other side. You should now have two seperated pieces of flesh.
- 5
  
  Take the separated flesh and place it on the chopping board leaving it skin side up. Hold onto the tail of the piece and place the blade of the knife under the skin. Force the blade towards the head whilst holding the tail. Peel away the skin you just cut and discard. Once the skin is removed carefully cut away any fat, veins or dark flesh and discard. The left over flesh should be a nicely cut fillet with no excess skin or fat. Repeat this process with the remaining fillet.

Monkey See Videos: Striped Bass - Cleaning the Fish

Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Comments

How to Rig a Fishing Pole for a Striper
Stripers, or striped bass, are a popular game fish found along many parts of the Atlantic coastline. These fierce-fighting fish have been...
Types of Fish in Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a great convoluted arm of the North Pacific Ocean along the northwestern coast of the U.S., in the state...
How to Filet a Rockfish
Rockfish is another name for striped bass, or a "striper". Native to the East Coast, rockfish, or striped bass are a highly...
How to Dissect a Cadaver
Medical students and pathologists dissect cadavers for various purposes. The dissection provides the opportunity to learn the anatomical landmarks of the body...
How to Cook Rockfish
Rockfish might look ugly swimming in the ocean, but their lean flesh tastes pleasingly nutty. Look for whole fresh fish with clear,...
How to Grill Whole Rockfish
Rockfish are members of the Scorpaenidae family. The rockfish that will end up on your table is usually one of the species...
How to Fillet a Fish
The trick to properly fillet a fish lies in regular practice. Cleaning fish with a minimum amount of waste happens only when...
How to Catch Rockfish With Lures
Striped bass, also known as rockfish, is the official Maryland state fish. They are abundant in the Chesapeake Bay, many anglers covet...