How To Fillet Flounder (Without Losing Any Meat)

What’s your favorite inshore fish to eat?
Mine is flounder.
They’re delicious, but since they’re thin and shaped differently than other fish, many people struggle with cleaning them.
Some people don't even know where to start!
But here's the truth: cleaning them is not as hard as you might think if you do it the right way.
All you have to do is fillet them a little differently than other fish.
In this video, you'll learn:
- how to maximize the meat you get from flounder
- how to skin the fillets
- a simple trick to make sure the meat is as fresh as possible
Have any questions about filleting flounder?
Or do you have another method that you prefer?
Let me know down in the comments!
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[@Saltstrong]

To get our best fishing spots and tips (including our flounder spots and tips), plus 20% off our online tackle store for life, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3dFLdF4

[@larryp85]

Why do you recommend soaking it in salt water specifically?? Your the 2nd person I seen say this this week.

[@Hisslave1]

We're all going to pitch in and buy you a sharpening stone Joe.

[@Saltstrong]

Haha!

[@texassaltwaterlife4374]

Just buy him a silver stag knife those are awesome and sharp

[@matthewfeit9046]

It’s the Bubba Blade. I have the same one. It’s garbage.

[@billysmith5230]

@@texassaltwaterlife4374 I got a Silver Stag! Love it !

[@newthrash1221]

@@texassaltwaterlife4374 You know that all knives dull over time, right? Gotta sharpen and hone them regularly.

[@Jay-lm5kg]

I've never fillet a flounder before. This video was extremely helpful. Thank you so much. You guys are awesome.

[@Saltstrong]

Our pleasure!

[@terryviator5630]

Did you scale the fish? 2:43 2:

[@owenoneil951]

I had the same experience. My friends looked at me like a pro

[@LisainTexas]

Just caught my first big flounder. This video was helpful. Thank you.

[@greatguildersleeve8861]

What a GREAT way to filet a Flounder!! I have left to much meat in the past, now I know what to do! THANKS so much!

[@paulprinzivalli6938]

Now im hungry its 3 in the morning and i feel like going fluking. This guy makes it look easy. Good job!

[@PlugNuster]

I like the way you split the fillets down the middle, first time I've seen that. Looks much easier than trying to get the whole fillet off at once.

[@robbiejohnson3698]

Great video I like the detail the first flounder I caught it was 5 lbs 8 oz years ago took it home and pretty much butcher the filets but now I know that why I love Saltstrong thanks

[@ethanbodin6265]

Great Video! I watched half of this video and was able to imitate it perfectly! Great instructions

[@priscillarogers9763]

Thanks for video...because of this video I was able to fillet my first flounder

[@ronscott2343]

Luke, I followed your technique for cleaning flounder this morning and it worked perfectly. Thanks! And Joe, I tried fishing with your "Slam Shady" in a spot where we were catching several species with the shrimp that had died after about 30 minutes in my live well. With the Slam Shady lure, I didn't even get a nibble. I jogged it, slow retrieved with no success. It did look good as it got near the top of the water. I plan to give it another try after I get my Uluerra repaired.

[@billyzoesch9812]

Lmao. Yeah that’s a pretty dull knife. I saw some other filet knives that are extremely sharp

[@kenstrauss5841]

Grew up in Oceanside NY , right on middle bay. Flounder was my favorite fish. Used to take my dads boat out after school . Did my homework in the cabin and Always came home with dinner for my mom to cook. Fried flounder !!!!

[@Saltstrong]

Very cool!

[@justinbennett9998]

Never cleaned a flounder until today. Thanks man

[@Birdland-tz6bz]

Thank you Salt Strong! I've just arrived home after two days of fishing my favorite flounder spots in Corpus Christi, Texas and wore them out with the Z-Man Minnow in the Slam Shady color and the 1/4-ounce Trout Eye jig head. We've got the fish, and now's time to eat. Thank you again!

[@Saltstrong]

Congrats on the great trip!

[@jasonjohnson9403]

Dude..im from Texas...but up NE in the pine forest. Can you tell me some good places to fish in CC? dont wont to wast my whole vacation trying to figure it out. My son and I would greatly appreciate any advice to make our trip fun. thanks

[@Birdland-tz6bz]

@jasonjohnson9403 the packery channel north of the bridge is a good place to start, since it's a large shallow flat with a sand/mud bottom and next to a boat channel, with a strong current during the tides. It's easy to wade and I've caught a lot of flounder there along with speckled trout and a few redfish. The packery channel park would be another good place, which is also shallow with a sand/mud bottom, and has marshy habitat along the shoreline. After you cross the JFK intracoastal bridge, there's a smaller bridge with shallow, sand/mud bottom with patches of seagrass, and it tends to produce fish when there's an incoming tide flowing under the bridge, and you can pull off the road and fish there. Good luck and tight lines👍🏿!

[@tommymejia8244]

Great job Luke, thanks for taking the time to share...Much appreciated...Tght Lines...Tommy

[@donnastormer9652]

I made a skin holder for filleting out of a 6-8 inch long 1 inch dowel then screwed on a beer cap sharp ends facing the fish(use stainless screw and washer) on one end and it’s a great skin gripper when filleting. Makes it go so much easier and my meat comes out cleaner. Thanks for the video!

[@jasonjohnson9403]

can you post a pic of it? sounds cool

[@donnastormer9652]

@@jasonjohnson9403 i’m old and don’t know how to post pictures on my replies but just picture a bottle cap facing down on a table and then you place your dowel standing on top of it. All you have to do is turn that upside down and put a stainless steel screw in it and you have the tool once I get the first fillets off, I put the skin part down on the table and hold the tail part with that tool and then it holds the fillet still while you slide your knife along the skin for a clean cut. I’m sure you could look on KZbin and find somebody who’s got a video of it, good luck

[@stevesingleton8475]

Thanks!!! All I had was a yahoo killer knife, but with your video… I think I did good for my first time! Wish I could post a pic!

[@jrvane11]

Great demonstration! Much appreciated.

[@crazykajun914]

Thanks for the video my friend. We catch a lot of flounder here in Cajun Country, but I'm not a pro cleaning flounder. Thanks for the info. CK.

[@Saltstrong]

Our pleasure! Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment.

[@rauldelafuentejr.2376]

Perfect job! For the amateur, normally it takes a few fish to get good at filleting. Also, it would be good to suggest a knife proof glove that will keep the armature from cutting themselves badly.

[@brutledge3507]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@drewaidenbaum7694]

Thanks for the help! I got a really clean fish.

[@DavesRealTalk89]

thanks for this I'm gonna filet my flounder I caught earlier today. ill video it and I saved your video in a new playlist I'm starting.

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome!

[@2loadgang]

Can't believe u ate creepy looking critter

[@BasicFishingNZ]

filleting a fish is so satisfying lol my favourite fish to fillet but mainly because it is super easy and i can get many meat out of it is the silver trevally from nz

[@darrylwooley5303]

App spot guys used it twice slammed the specs and flounder...thank you much!

[@Saltstrong]

Glad to help!

[@joeyw4442]

Good "how to" video. A few swipes of that blade on the Bubba steel and you're back to razor. No sawing needed. Bubba blades and Bubba steel should be purchased together. Great set.

[@kwb3612]

Great video on how to clean a flounder

[@blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

Hey thanks for the review! Flounder season came in today in NC Sept. 1-30! 1 a day.. sad! But we sure don't want to waste any of that meat! Keep up the good work!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenneth9874]

We're allowed 10

[@bennettthomas6434]

Thank you I just caught a flounder just a little bigger than that one used your video and made some real real good dinner

[@Saltstrong]

That is awesome!

[@Woolecox]

I'm wondering if my new Bubba Pro electric knife will work or best to use a conventional blade?

[@michaelzine7898]

Hey there my friend that was very helpful for me, Thank you for sharing this.

[@Saltstrong]

No problem 👍

[@JayJay3Fifty7]

NICE! Im craving some flounder fish tacos.

[@feedthatreefaddiction1508]

Don’t toss the carcass. Use it for making a stock next time. Flounder is one of the best eating fish, down to the bone literally lol.

[@alpaca3213]

Yeah, I usually scale them and pan fry them

[@edkenny3613]

Excellent, thanks so much.

[@Drtreddc]

Sweet...Thank You for your video

[@scottrispaud2995]

It was a great video showing the "how to's" of filleting a flounder. My only disappointment was the critical comments. Okay so the knife is dull, you know it, I know it, we all know it but it doesn't take 15 comments to say so. I wish everyone would stay a little more positive which is what I love about you and Luke, Tony and the entire team at SaltStrong. POSITIVITY! Thank you again Joe! Scott

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the kind words Scott!

[@stoop14]

How long do you keep the filets in the salt water? Until your ready to cook it?

[@magniac3955]

Thank you I'm definitely going to be trying this.

[@Saltstrong]

Hope you enjoy

[@magniac3955]

Works great no waste and see through just like you said definitely did not waste. Had two huge flounder and one good size fed family of three and I'm 6'4" 275lbs everyone was full including me. Thank you for the excellent how to.

[@dreamerspielmann1399]

If you're going to freeze the meat, what do you use to store it in? For example, paper, plastic bags, etc. etc

[@MrGuitars8]

FANTASTIC VIDEO , THANK YOU .

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mrtt_awakeandreadytofight]

awesome just what i needed to do it right!

[@Saltstrong]

Great!

[@glenchatelain3067]

Nice job. Speckled Trout and Redfish get most of the attention but flounder is the best eating inshore fish

[@texnoutlaw]

Nice demonstration

[@mikehazelton497]

Great job. Thank you so much

[@Saltstrong]

You are so welcome!

[@pawpawandhisfamily5159]

Good explanation

[@richerwin6397]

Excellent and helpful video

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching glad we could help!

[@fishin2fit753]

Good info🎣💪🏽

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@billcraig6862]

Thanks much!

[@jelly_fishing]

Nice video - thx

[@Allyourbase1990]

I’m really craving some garlic butter flounder right now so badly

[@scottfreedman7640]

I use a serrated knife to cut along the spine, a fillet knife tends to skip off the scales. Then I switch to a fillet knife and work from head to tail, going with the angle of the bones. The carcass goes in the crab trap.

[@geosuy]

DOCTOR : "As i suspected, your coronavirus test result came back positive. I'm admitting you to hospital and immediately initiating a flounder and pancake diet." CONFUSED ME: " Is that a new treatment for COVID 19?" DOCTOR: "I don't know about that, but it's the only food we can slide under the door."

[@Saltstrong]

Haha!

[@SaltLifeGeo]

Hey great video i appreciate the time Does it have any bones after you cut it??

[@rachaelfutch7525]

No you leave the bone and cut just the meat off

[@JoeGiz64]

New subscriber, great filet video! Does the flounder need to be bled out before you start the filleting process?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching! That would be a personal preference.

[@lovinhouse374]

Fluke/Flounder heads make great bait for hand lining blue claws 👍🏻

[@hbomatt]

Depending on the state, it's not legal to use game fish as bait in state waters sadly :(

[@JA-wl1ik]

Should always do the belly " White side" first then do the "Darkside" back. Try it you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much easier it is

[@brianwalsh1759]

Yes, utilize the dark scale side as a holding mechanism while working the white side. When I was a kid in Quincy MA we used to watch the "flounder fleet" party boats come in and the deck hands would fillet the flounders for 6 cents a piece. Those guys flew thru a flounder in seconds. Watched my father fillet up to 95 fish in one sitting in the back yard.

[@user-pj7lu1nz8k]

My issue is that sometimes I I cut through the skin when trying to take the filet off of it. How do I correct that? And once I do cut through the skin is there a way to get it off easier than just powering through

[@Saltstrong]

Be sure to angle the knife against the skin and continue to slide the knife along until fully through the meat

[@robertlosasso4222]

I know a man that fillets a flounder and gets one piece on each side , just two filets .

[@allenandmain]

Thanks for sharing,does Otis like fish or hush puppies?

[@Saltstrong]

He likes everything

[@jpmethot6409]

Thank you

[@Saltstrong]

Welcome!

[@victorandrade7495]

Hey buddy just seen your video. I caught my first Flounder today. What’s the best ingredients you use to prepare it.

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu.

[@davidstokes925]

You mentioned grill. Would love to see some clean and cook vids!

[@Saltstrong]

Coming soon!

[@dallascobb7644]

Thanks for the video! Use the head and bones to make a yummy fish stock. :)

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@rachaelfutch7525]

Just filleted my first two flounder caught in the small lake in my community in Florida! Nice size ones too! Weird looking fish though

[@edlove9754]

Is net fishing allowed in Rockport Tx???

[@Saltstrong]

We would recommend checking out your local regulations online. Thanks for watching!

[@joeyrogers476]

Can’t forget the cheek meat! It’s the best part

[@Saltstrong]

Great call!

[@chrislopez2817]

i love me some flouder!

[@yaobuckman5006]

I know some mates on LI that make them bones shine!

[@5speedracer]

Some of the best meat is in the cheeks. Poor man's scallops.

[@alpaca3213]

I agree, head meat is the best and fattiest

[@2003zq8]

That was a decent flattie.

[@ericmoriarty1870]

Is it ok to leave the skin on and descale the flounder?

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@attackontitan4032]

I been doing it the same way since I was 10 years old. Now I'm 70 still the same way.

[@Saltstrong]

It if works don't change it!

[@johncoleman3933]

I honestly never filet flounder. I just gut and scale it then cut diamond pattern on top and 3 slices on the bottom and fry or broil it whole.

[@vrod1a]

Good job with a really dull knife 👍 Is that a bubba knife ?

[@Saltstrong]

We definitely need to sharpen it!

[@renaissanceman8581]

Great. Yes. Always cut towards you.

[@Saltstrong]

Always!

[@michaelross5674]

Did you bleed it out first after catching

[@Saltstrong]

Not this time.

[@bensmith2866]

Roughly how much did that fish weigh and how much meat were you able to get?

[@Saltstrong]

Great question! Make sure to ask this over in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time.

[@johnsamothrakis4621]

Great video Luke thanks , but was always taught “ NEVER CUT TOWARDS YOURSELF “ man at 1 point I cringed. When you where cutting towards your hand🤭

[@CNBarnes]

This is a perfect way to clean flounder (and for that matter, halibut). But you forgot the best part: THE CHEEK MEAT.

[@Saltstrong]

Cheek meat is always good!

[@drbala1795]

After removing the flesh the remaining bones and flesh can be used for making the fish stock

[@Saltstrong]

Great tip!

[@angelaadams997]

Why do you not Skin the flounder first with skinning pliers?

[@Saltstrong]

Just a personal preference. Thanks for watching!

[@robertcole8510]

Looks like you need to sharpen that Bubba blade!

[@davecassady7468]

Why did you skip through removing the skin?

[@tubsworld-authorgerneldarr3106]

🎉Great Video🏆I Learned Alot💎 Can't wait to Fillet My First Flounder🎁... New Subscriber from Bermuda Island🇧🇲🗺🌏2022

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome! 💪

[@user-qx8wh5rl4r]

I would like a free pack sample please

[@Saltstrong]

Go out and reel in a flounder!

[@jaybee3819]

Lol you made that look to easy

[@andrewmarrs4149]

For full filets, cut along the fins then along the ribs to the spine then stick your knife through the tail and run up the spine to the head

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@texassaltwaterlife4374]

Mmmmm flounder when's dinner

[@Saltstrong]

It was delicious!

[@robertlosasso4222]

Why would you do a commercial with a dull knife ?

[@4card4ever]

I keep the skin on flounder and trout.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@wantAvote]

You forgot the cheek meat (little scallop)

[@youdonthavetoreadthispost.5850]

#1 - Ice your fish well to firm the meat #2 - Use a flexible thin blade nine-inch knife. I like the old carbon steel Dexter knives. I can fillet from the tail end following the backbone and split the fins on the way out. You can also leave all of the skin on the fish by rolling the fillet and cutting outwards. Yields 4 fillets. Great eating fish!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@terryviator5630]

Sorry thought to were stuffing with crab meat.

[@Saltstrong]

Nope!

[@headmondronary2127]

You only got one?! You need to go floundering in N.Z

[@rgw3629]

👍😎

[@jimcarrey7006]

Save that flounder carcass for crab bait.

[@banditoo7]

How to hack into a flounder with a blunt knife 😂

[@Saltstrong]

No meat lost!

[@purpleturkey1792]

Good job it is blunt cutting towards the hand

[@johnsolek7305]

"THANK YOU' THE WIFE WILL BE A HAPPY CAMPER. JOHN R SOLEK

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@thehardyboys4227]

Anyone else think they taste a little crabby? 🦀

[@beebob1279]

Dull Knife there buddy. Flounder is a simple fish too fillet. Each fish gives me two beautiful fillets and not four smaller ones like what you're doing. But for the beginner yours is simple

[@em1860]

Put your money where your mouth is

[@beebob1279]

@@em1860 What are you talking about. Why would I want to eat money?

[@em1860]

@@beebob1279 I think that one went way over you head. Don't worry about it. Was just a figure of speech. Happy fishing.

[@beebob1279]

@@em1860 You too. Ha ha