Fillet knife recommendations

Most of my search results turned up threads about how to fillet the fish, not the particulars of the knife itself.

All I have for a fillet knife is an old Kershaw probably 6", maybe 8" (haven't looked at in a few months) that I remember buying as a kid.  It's not that great.  It'll get the job done on a trout or smaller salmon if well sharpened.

But hali and ling season is coming.  And salmon later in the summer.  I need a knife up to the task of filleting such tasty morsels.  What would you guys/gals recommned?

Budget is pretty limited.  I could probably get away with $30 if I had to.

I use the Rapala Filet Knife (7.5 inch). Love it. Keeps a good edge, nice and flexible, and overall not too shabby for the price. In retrospect I would probably buy one with a rubber/synthetic handle instead of the wood.

http://www.rapala.com/Fish-n-Fillet-Superflex-Knife/Fish%20n%20Fillet%20Superflex%20Knife,default,pd.html?start=9&cgid=rapala-knives-fillet

Paging Fungunin!

The boy knows his knives and fish cleaning techniques!

-Spot-

Rapala makes a good knife that will sharpen up real nice. I bought a cutco fillet knife a while back, that I have been really impressed with for the price. It stays sharp, is easy to clean and adjustable length blade.

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I have gone full over to the electric knife camp. Electric knives are especially nice as they hold their edge without any sharpening skills, but a good sharp conventional knife is still indispensable.

 I learned about electric's from the Louisiana boyz at BCKF. Last time I was there was for one of their early tournaments, it was CME* as opposed to CPR. A couple guys buzzed through a LOT of Redfish in very short order with very little wastage on the fish (NONE of the filets were wasted). I have not looked back since.



Note: Redfish have some TOUGH scales that do nasty things to a sharp blade.

 The Mr Twister ac 120v electric knife runs about $30. I scored a 12v dc knife at Cabella's last year for $20 at an in-store sale and I like it even better. 



*CME:Catch, Measure and Eat

Maybe I need to see one in action, but I've always wondered why people bothered with electric fillet knives.  I must be missing something.

I found the Hamilton Beach electric knife at Wallmart (about $18), and the Rapala replacement electric knife blades (about $6), work like a charm together.  And everything stores in it's own convenient plastic carry case. 

Fungunnin might have a better plan, but I think in that price range those Dexter's with the sani-safe handles are pretty nice. 

What do they use on the fish processing boats? 

Having a sharp edge and a skilled user behind the blade are the two most important variables to finding success with any fillet knife IMO.   If there is interest, I'll bring my power paper wheel sharpener to the ORC and put a razor edge on fillet knives for a small fee

Having a sharp edge and a skilled user behind the blade are the two most important variables to finding success with any fillet knife IMO.   If there is interest, I'll bring my power paper wheel sharpener to the ORC and put a razor edge on fillet knives for a small fee

I remember sitting there at the cleaning station in Depoe Bay with my 28" ling, thinking I was doing a nice fine job filleting it, then you walked in with that 16lb beast, threw it on the table, and were done in like 3 minutes.  I felt really ineffecient then.

I bought this one for $9 at fishermans black friday sale, and recommend that you DO NOT buy it! 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Zke&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&q=kershaw+9%22+fillet&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1252&bih=546&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1965805421816728419&sa=X&ei=EDygT5O8NMjJiQK6nqzbAg&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAA

It wont hold an edge, and for some reason, I cannot remove the skin with it to save my life. 

I am not anywhere near as good as Ron, but I have cut a few fish, and never had this problem with another knife. 

I think it has to do with how it is curved. 

I bought this one for $9 at fishermans black friday sale, and recommend that you DO NOT buy it! 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Zke&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&q=kershaw+9%22+fillet&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1252&bih=546&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1965805421816728419&sa=X&ei=EDygT5O8NMjJiQK6nqzbAg&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAA

It wont hold an edge, and for some reason, I cannot remove the skin with it to save my life. 

I am not anywhere near as good as Ron, but I have cut a few fish, and never had this problem with another knife. 

I think it has to do with how it is curved.

I have the same knife. It doesn't have much flex to it and I like to think that's the reason I can only get my ling cod skin off about half the time. However, I'm pretty sure it mostly has to do with my lack of skill.

I bought this one for $9 at fishermans black friday sale, and recommend that you DO NOT buy it! 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Zke&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&q=kershaw+9%22+fillet&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1252&bih=546&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1965805421816728419&sa=X&ei=EDygT5O8NMjJiQK6nqzbAg&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAA

It wont hold an edge, and for some reason, I cannot remove the skin with it to save my life. 

I am not anywhere near as good as Ron, but I have cut a few fish, and never had this problem with another knife. 

I think it has to do with how it is curved.

Hmmm.  I've got the 9" version of that knife and it's served me well for about 6 years.  You might have gotten one from a bad lot.  That said, the girlfriend got me a couple of Forschner knives for my birthday.  The 7" Hollow edge Santoku disassembled my recent jack springer in under a minute.  I can't wait to try it on rocks and lings!

-Spot-

Not that I've had anything to filet lately but my cousin the Redfish guide in Louisiana is a whiz with an electric knife.