The ONLY CATFISH FILLET Tutorial You'll Ever Need!

Scroll for Product Links👇 Catfish are one of the top 5 most popular fish in the US for both catching and consumption. Some people still say they don't like cats because they taste "muddy" or "fishy" but that's just not the case if you fillet them properly. In this video I show you how to get the cleanest, best tasting fillets from your catfish so you can truly impress your family and friends with one of the tastiest fish that swims!
Bubba 7" Tapered Flex Fillet Knife: amzn.to/3xe2cgN

[@bryannicholson843]

I’ve catfished all my life and I’m 55 years old. I learned only about two years ago that if you will cut the tail off while the fish is alive and hang it up, that blood line will allow all the blood to drain out of the fish completely and then you can clean it. That’s the only way I do them anymore. Try it! The meat will be Snow White.

[@calebwistad]

Yes. That works well!

[@paulhooper987]

I used to do the same. Until I learned cutting the gills works even better than cutting the tail. Try it!

[@calebwistad]

@@paulhooper987 If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Bryan is referring to a tail cut along with a gill cut. this does allow the fish to bleed out quicker than just a gill cut, and the gravity helps if you hang them. I have found that a simple gill cut while the fish is still alive or fresh-dead is enough when you ice them down as the cold seems to contract the muscles and push all the blood out just fine.

[@edwardgrobe2848]

The yellow or grey back meat must be cut out. This is why I only keep blue cats. I grew up on channel cat because that's what swam in our local area but in the late seventies the blue cat was introduced in our local waters. The difference is night and day. Unless Armageddon occurs or I'm lost in the wilderness, I'll never eat channel cat again. Blue cat is all white meat.

[@jeffshorts6052]

I just started Cat fishing. Yes I cut the tails n hang ‘em. I cut the gills last night bled them out. Both works well.

[@halfwatt7905]

Most informative part of the video for me was the squeegee. Fricking genius! 👏👏

[@calebwistad]

Haha. Thanks. I have my fillet table set up overlapping my utility sink so I can squeegee the table right into the sink and rinse it down. Pretty slick.

[@actionjacksondan]

Same hear, that’s a pro tip

[@benjaminbrown1179]

Exactly

[@zachariahlee3393]

Finally a well articulated & video the shows you how too properly fillet Catfish. Well done Sir..

[@calebwistad]

Thank you!

[@colemant6845]

That was the PEFECT Catfish (Fresh or Salt) way to fillet one. Well Done!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks so much!

[@Internutt2023]

I never knew that you could fillet catfish and get boneless fillets, until, I stayed at and fished at Hendricks Creek Resort, In Kentucky on Dale Hollow lake, where I happened onto the resort owner himself at the fish cleaning station on the dock, and he was happy to demonstrate to me how it was done, which I thank him for! Now if I get some nice blues or channel cats while fishing for bass, or, if I happen onto some good sized catfish, I can make a meal out of them instead of considering them a nuisance fish.

[@calebwistad]

Yep. Really great eating fish.

[@kevinthompson5827]

Thanks for sharing this with me. We have been cat fishing for years and now I’m going to be able to enjoy eating it more. I never knew that and couldn’t understand why my fish tasted so much different than when I ordered it from someone else. So yes now I know.

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@renerusso3332]

TOTALLY WRONG! SKIN A FISH THAT SMALL.

[@jorsrob]

Thank you so much for this video! Very inspiring and I am now confident to fillet my first catfish! Thank you so much.

[@calebwistad]

You bet! Glad you found it helpful!

[@gregstabryla9945]

You have a new sub. A lot of answers, especially about bleeding your fish and different ways to filet . Thanks.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@joshuabenjamin1382]

Great video as always bud! Looking forward to more in the future

[@calebwistad]

Thanks man!

[@pctrdat]

This is the BEST catfish cleaning video I have seen!!! Just subscribed!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks so much!

[@JesusLopez-zl4ry]

It sux he did it all messed up he didn't even bleed the fish that's why he had to fillet that blood meat

[@C.Fowler]

Great video and valuable info… Thank you

[@calebwistad]

Thanks for watching!

[@kitluedtke]

Appreciate the videos Caleb. Keep up the great work. Have learned a great deal from you on seasonal fishing. Love seeing the kids also fishing with dad.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! That’s great to hear!

[@southerncharm7238]

​@@calebwistad😂🎉

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

Thanks for the video man. Going to go fishing for cats (for the first time) soon, and I'm hoping I'll get a chance to use this technique on at least a few of them.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks. Good luck!

[@WilliamSmith-ty5rt]

Outstanding! I love cat fish and just learned a new way how to filet them. Thank you!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome!

[@laramargaret3374]

I ordered two of these based on the reviews. kzbin.infoUgkxqmKabisEv81ul5v7OhvVxxOpt2CJruI- Received them on time and they look good. I really like the handle on these knives as they feel good in my hand. I'm giving them 4 stars on look and feel, but have not had the chance to put them to the test yet. I mostly fish for catfish and can hopefully try them out in the next few days. If they hold an edge throughout a limit of catfish, they'll be worth another star.Update...I used the 9" strong and the 9" fillet on a mess of catfish. I did put a sharpening on these before I started. I want a razor edge to fillet fish but they weren't quite that sharp. The people who gave these knives crappy reviews and said they were sending them back was because they weren't razor sharp. So what, do they not have a knife sharpener?? Good grief! I mean you have to sharpen any knife from time to time.I personally like them and am pleased with them. If you're too lazy to sharpen a knife then hire someone to clean your fish lol.I've never bought a knife in my life that would shave hair right out of the box. Don't be afraid to purchase the knives. They're pretty nice in my opinion.

[@calebwistad]

Yes. You must be using it a lot!

[@pavelkostenko1621]

Thanks for the great video! Used your method on my 4 catfishes that were caught today!

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@robertkreiling1746]

Excellent job , very well done !

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@jakenotfromstatefarm8042]

Really appreciate it. Recently started keeping cats from the river. Never knew how to clean them. (properly) I mainly just use the electric and follow the rib cage and clean up the mud line. Really appreciate the knife style though. Always like learning new ways to do something.

[@calebwistad]

Glad you’ve found it helpful!

[@cdc9776]

I wish I had seen this video last week, as I just cleaned a few the old-fashioned way using skinning pliers. I wasn't aware until seeing this that cats have that nasty red meat under their skin. Makes perfect sense. I use this method on white bass which makes a huge difference in flavor. Now I can't wait to try it on cats too! And I absolutely love those BUBBA knives. I too have that same 7" and the cordless electric model. Quality stuff. Thanks very much for this share. It proves you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, lol. Take care!

[@calebwistad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kristopherhenny7912]

First video I’ve watched of yours, automatic subscription!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome! Thanks so much!

[@Gumby1978]

This is an excellent technique. I wish I had seen this years ago!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@fattonycapaldi8743]

I fillet trout the same exact way. It does help immensely to clip off the barbs.

[@calebwistad]

I agree! Much easier to handle.

[@charliemelliges6133]

Great filet tutorial…excellent

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@idontlikebeinghandled]

Excellent job, sir. Thank you

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@beadiegaming5874]

Best video I found after watching tons, ty!

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@leerouse2001]

Appreciate the lesson thank you

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@BenjiesDIY]

Your title was right I think I will definitely try this next time when I go fishing

[@calebwistad]

Nice! Thanks!

[@Usererror401]

Nice! I’ve been wanting to pick up fishing!

[@calebwistad]

It’s the best hobby/sport/addiction in the world! 😂

[@joebowman8204]

I do it this way also. Unless I have a bunch of fish to clean. Then I use an electric knife. Good video. Thanks for sharing

[@calebwistad]

Nice!

[@lemmix_info]

Pretty nice, really perfect. Thank you, Volker. 👍😁

[@calebwistad]

Thanks for watching!

[@jkmorgan5307]

Your tutorial made a 1x fileting a less daunting task. Thank you for posting.

[@calebwistad]

Awesome! Glad to hear it.

[@Xolosia]

Thank you. I was taught to do it the old way, body and tail and use fork after cooking to debone. Wife asked me if I could stop feeding them like baby birds, so I'm now leaning to harvest in a new way.

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@AirstripBum]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@krga94c]

Very good method. There is a also a good forward section of belly meat, if you cut away the silver gray belly lining and any fat. Also, if it's big enough, just behind the eyes there's a medallion of meat on the head that's probably the best tasting part of the fish. Give it a try.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! On bigger cats I will typically take the belly. Never tried the head meat though. Thanks for the tip!

[@davisphillips7792]

I’ve tried belly meat a few times and it’s always chewy. Maybe I’m just not getting all the silver off of it.

[@krga94c]

@davisphillips7792 Yes, you definitely want to remove the silver skin from the belly meat.

[@user-fy5by5xp7n]

​​@@calebwistad tried it yet? The head meat

[@MrTLScott]

Thanks for the info my wife loves catfish and now I will keep more next time..

[@calebwistad]

Awesome!

[@majic7071]

My guy had the beats at the end too. great video. I caught a cat used this to clean right on the bank

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@randalls380]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing it. Do you have one on cooking them?

[@calebwistad]

Looks like you found it!

[@hoodiedee4828]

thank you very much for your time and info. Have a blessed day and don't forget to Enjoy Life. From Bridgeport Connecticut.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks and good luck!

[@laceyboyd8972]

This is the same method my husband taught me years ago and it's still the way I do them!! #FishingIsASport!! #MyFavoriteSport!! #EatSleepFish&Repeat!! #WhenSleepingDon'tCountSheep,CountFish! #ICatchWhatEverWillBite!! :)

[@calebwistad]

Nice!

[@dariusmeno6194]

Just processed catfish for the first time today and I used this method and loved it!. Will be the only way i use. Thank you for this info!

[@calebwistad]

Perfect!

[@rodneyevans5353]

Thanks for the knowledge drop.

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@chriswf]

Thanks. We were flash boiling the skin off. Using an electric kettle... Just heat it, then pour it over the skins. The skins fall off. But we didn't know we were leaving the stank underneath it :D I guess if we were starving, our method gives us a good bang for the buck. But for flavor, yours seems to be spot on. Thanks again!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome! I think you will like this method.

[@freespirit369-nb4jf]

Bubba blades are sweet! I love them

[@calebwistad]

Great knives!

[@user-ic7om9gi6e]

Best video I've ever seen this man knows his catfish

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@pastorgmw]

Thanks. Great work

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@adastraperaspera7098]

Thanks for posting.

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@danbrown7857]

Excellent! Thanks!

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@joshuaejackson]

Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to eat some

[@calebwistad]

You bet! Go get em!

[@bertmarshall3992]

Thanks! Very well done.

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@snakebait5118]

Back in the day when I was a kid, I used to nail the catfish head to a tree then skin it. At that time I knew nothing about filleting a fish and didn't learn until I was in my 20's. Thanks for the video! I avoided fishing for catfish being uncertain on how to filet it until now! I'm 73 and willing to fish for them now! Thanks again!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome! Glad I could help! The old nail/tree method isn’t for me either. 😆

[@cappystrano1]

Great video, like the old squaw too! 🌴🌴

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! I love those ducks! Only been after them twice but had a blast. I did the taxidermy as well. Been doing birds and fish for years.

[@reconfarmer3084]

Great video! What do you use to cut off the spines? I assume electrical side cutters...? What a great idea... and to think of how many times I have been impaled over the years 😱

[@calebwistad]

Yes! They work great.

[@michealayala-olivares5462]

I grew up in the back woods of East Texas, catching cats was my job many summers. I have fileted many catfish and I've never seen it done like this before. I always skinned mine before cutting on it. I had several fish markets that I supplied every summer, most of the year actually. Growing up on Lake Sam Rayburn we did a lot of fishing and a lot of fish fry's for summer family gatherings.

[@calebwistad]

Nice! Yeah, I’ve seen the skinning method but I’ve never really understood the point. Why spend the extra time with another couple tools when it only takes 5 seconds to skin them with the knife? Maybe you know? 😆

[@enigma9789]

@@calebwistad This is the only reason I skinned them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3WcZZ9rfLCdpsk Ive cleaned over 150,000lbs of catfish

[@scottrodgers9101]

Yup old southern man showed my dad in the late 1960s same method Hammer Nail Razor knife Vice grips And a good tree

[@scottdeason2940]

Me too. Lake Palestine mostly.

[@jasonjackson6055]

​@@calebwistadIt is because it is much quicker and easier to skin them with skinners. Yours is the overly complicated way to clean a catfish. If you hang them, you make 6 swift, shallow incisions, pull skin off in 2 or three pulls, and filet them. I can literally do one in 45 seconds or so, and I am slow. There is no need to soak the fish in battery acid, cut the tail, gouge the eyes out, cut the gills, or in any other way needlessly torture the catfish as others have suggested. Also, remove that yellow meat. This is where the undesirable flavor is.

[@dagobertojimenez298]

Thank you brother I do learn something new.on this video

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@johnwhittaker3673]

Very clean and informative thank you

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@billhamilton5949]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@riverrat6998]

You have the best fillet videos on KZbin! I am curious tho on how you are sharpening your fillet knife?

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! I’m working on a video about that. Stay tuned!

[@jasonallred244]

I do this method. Start at the gill, straight cut down and then down to start of tail. Flip and follow skin and take off . By keeping it attached to the fish on last pass gives you something to hold and not sliding around.

[@calebwistad]

Interesting!

[@TrueNorthOutdoorAdventures]

EXCELLENT Video!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks so much!

[@mongomay1]

What about pulling that white nerve membrane out at the head end of the fillet? Thanks for sharing.

[@calebwistad]

I’m not aware of that. Maybe only noticeable on larger fish?

[@daveg2199]

Great video! What are your thoughts on the yellowish meat up toward the dorsal fin upper back area?

[@calebwistad]

I’ve never had an issue with the flavor of that meat. Some people say it’s bad but I’ve never noticed.

[@jasonmiller9530]

Very thorough and good video, ill prolly still just use electric and do it fast, i dont cut the center out, fillet and cut out rib cage, coat with some andys and drop in oil, works for me, but still a good video for best tasting :)

[@calebwistad]

Thanks! Certainly not the only way to do it but it’s very clean.

[@jasonmiller9530]

@@calebwistad Absolutely, very clean, takes skill and practice to be that good with a knife, i need to work on my knife skills, i will try this :)

[@user-fm7lw5rd4m]

we catch cats weekly, I appreciate the tips alot!

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@BjBnet]

I've never seen someone cut the spines off. I find it's easy to hold onto with them on. I guess if it work for you, git r dun. Thanks for the video 👍

[@calebwistad]

Lots of ways to…..skin a cat….. 😆

[@oilrigfishing]

I tried this since my grampa passed away i felt the need to go fish. I caught a few fish not expecting to. I got decent fillets. I will go fishing tomorrow and work on my fillet skills. My aunt and grandma showed me up because their fillets were one piece while mine looked like chopped up sushi 🤣

[@calebwistad]

Nice and good luck!

[@RICHat22]

Been filleting fish for over 40 years growing up on the lake. NEVER thought of using a squeegee. Nice.

[@calebwistad]

That’s awesome! Glad to hear it was a helpful tip.

[@MRBJT51]

I love your videos especially Five Piece Northern filet but not everyone is a surgeon with that knife like you ... These aren't easy cuts for some of us regular folks. I hope you take this as a compliment.

[@calebwistad]

It definitely takes practice and muscle memory to get better at filleting. Gotta catch more fish and keep filleting!

[@raydiaz140]

Ty will try next time

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@JC-gy4xs]

Thank you!

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@rustyfan89]

I love catfish! No matter where you are you can find a place to catch them the thing is, how they taste is very dependent upon where you catch them for some reason where you catch them and how they taste is more reliant on where you catch them than any other fish I know , I’m guessing because they are bottom feeders

[@calebwistad]

Yes, environment definitely plays a big role. Up here in Wisconsin our water is super clean so pretty much all the catfish up here taste very good.

[@octaviancotoranu1]

great video..A litle secret:The cat fish have a slime on it.If you spray the fish with 5 min before fileting with hidrogen peroxide the slime will wash off

[@calebwistad]

Interesting!

[@wrightjaw]

Awesome video!!

[@calebwistad]

Thank you. Glad you liked it!

[@barbanel300]

Helped me a lot bro, thank

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@larryjohns7672]

Really good video, informative for anyone who has not ever fillalet before. Only thing you forgot is; and (depending on the size of your fish) is the small fillets on the cheeks . Really good meat here. Keep it up, great job 👍

[@calebwistad]

Yes. On bigger fish keep the cheeks!

[@theoriginalshotgunoutdoors3269]

Very Good!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@johnmn42]

Thanks for the tutorial. How do you dispatch the catfish?

[@calebwistad]

Thumped it then bled it out.

[@fatjoe3391]

On bullheads, assuming they are somewhat similar, we clean them on a 2X4 by pounding a nail through the head. The nail holds the fish and the rest is similar to what you do.

[@calebwistad]

Yes. Very similar.

[@robertposenal6981]

The blood line your referring to is called the lateral line. It serves two purposes. It detects movement’s of their surroundings such as forage. The second purpose is that the fatty tissue collects toxins it absorbs from its environment.

[@calebwistad]

Correct. I used its more common name, but that’s exactly what it is. And to your point, the toxin build up is yet another reason to remove it.

[@robertposenal6981]

@@calebwistad I enjoy your tutorial brother👍

[@johnvarnes43]

Good stuff 👍

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@veroman007]

great tips.!

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@johnoileroutdoorsman1534]

Great video

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@celesteperkins2980]

My son bought me this knife and I am enjoying it! Now I clean my catfish just like this, even with a weak wrist I now can skin my biggest catfish like a Boss! 😅 thank you sir!!!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome!

[@kentfarguson3592]

Great job. I prefer not eating mud. I clean mine the same way. Except on a channel I also take out the yellow. This is why I prefer the blues. They don't have the yellow meat. Most channels I will throw back unless I'm catching for a big fish fry.

[@calebwistad]

Nice. I don’t know what it is about the cats up here but the yellow meat is minimal and doesn’t seem to have a bad flavor.

[@victorcoker2713]

@@calebwistad Down here in the south, that yellow even smells muddy/bad. Cut that stuff off! LOL

[@mudcat72]

Other than being unpleasant to look at, the yellow meat is fine to eat and tastes like the rest of the filet. The yellow staining comes from carotenoids...the same carotenoids that are produced in many of your favorite fruits and veggies.

[@user-oc6oj8vl4l]

Great job

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@travisnunya4641]

I just moved here to Florida and caught alot of catfish in charlotte harbor the catfish here are very different from norrh Indiana are the catfish in salt water good to eat

[@calebwistad]

There are two kinds of saltwater cats. Gaftopsail catfish are good to eat, hardheads are not. At least that’s been my experience. You may want to check this video out, I’ve fished that area a ton over the years and have a pretty good guide to fishing from shore there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmenk5ywnaqpm7M

[@user-yd5et7zw5p]

No I had to clean a catfish the proper way thank you very much dude

[@calebwistad]

👍

[@gerlandkent6377]

[so, now by watching you're video I'll know how to do it the right way now]

[@calebwistad]

Good deal!

[@user-ct9zo2qr7u]

Thank you ☺️

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@LahrySibley]

You need to go down to Venice, Louisiana, and watch the party boats come in. The deck hands filet all your fish for you. They use electric knives and they are masterful at fileting.

[@calebwistad]

I bet that’s fun to watch!

[@rhythmtapper]

Thanks for the video, Caleb. I catch cats regularly but I had not been cutting out the bloodline by the skin. I would, however, cut out the yellow trim. I noticed you didn't do that, so it seems that's perfectly fine to eat?

[@calebwistad]

At least up here where our water is pretty clean it doesn’t seem to affect anything.

[@andrewspinks6731]

Nice job. I do similar but skin them first. Did you save that belley meat for nuggets?

[@calebwistad]

On bigger cats I definitely do.

[@mackdaddy2172]

Great walk through man. Not sure if anyone will see this, but I have a quick question. That yellow colored meat at the top of both fillets, is that a source of fishy/muddy taste? I have seen some forums and videos mentioning that the yellow colored meat should be cut out along with bloodline and red meat/fat. Is this true? I am unsure if this should be left in or not as my family doesn't like fishy flavor. Does anyone know if that yellow colored meat should be cut out to remove the most amount of fishy taste as possible?

[@calebwistad]

To be safe, probably not a bad idea to cut it off. In the clean water we have up here I’ve never noticed a taste from it though.

[@countrysidekennels6462]

Never knew how to do it right. Always tried to avoid bringing cat fish and bull heads home due to crappy taste. That has just changed! Thanks for an easy to follow tutorial!

[@calebwistad]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful!

[@mazerrackham5959]

Nice job

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!

[@Pancakedawgz]

Catfish have tough skin. When separating the skin from filet, I recommend using a very lightly serrated knife and angling the blade down towards the skin and using the length of the blade (pushing and pulling) to go down the backside of the filet.

[@Pancakedawgz]

And it’s way easier than skinning them!

[@calebwistad]

Interesting. So you pretty much pull the skin from the fillet rather than cutting it?

[@PositiveDailyImpact]

Thank you

[@calebwistad]

You bet!

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank, you for you're video]👍

[@calebwistad]

Thanks for watching!

[@MartinHentges]

Thanks Caleb, great video. After watching this I kind of want to go get some cats. They really are good eating fish especially up here in the northern states.

[@calebwistad]

Yes, one of my favorites! Every time I eat them I’m surprised again at how good they are!

[@jasonjackson6055]

Just how do you think they taste in the Southern States?

[@tomjones7853]

If i loved to fish as much as you i would sell everthing i own and move to florida where you can catch everything anytime

[@calebwistad]

I love Florida too. I’ve been fishing there for 15 years or so at least once a year. It’s certainly on my radar for a possible part time residence some day. Don’t know if I could give up the cool north completely though….

[@mauricetayyan6350]

great vid

[@calebwistad]

Thanks!