On the water knife

[bracks]

I am hearing it is best practice to gill and gut fish on the water. Sounds great since that removes a messy step before you get home. Any recommendations for an on-the-water knife? Safety is my top concern....and getting through the head.

[SoCalEDC]

I carry a spyderco pacific salt ( think thats what its called), it folds and fits in my life vest but still has a 4 1/16" blade nd is made from H1 steel (non corrosive), all the fasteners are titanium so that they wont rust either. Yellow scales so its easy to locate and a lanyard hole so you can tie it off.

[jkim0130]

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

I carry a spyderco pacific salt ( think thats what its called), it folds and fits in my life vest but still has a 4 1/16" blade nd is made from H1 steel (non corrosive), all the fasteners are titanium so that they wont rust either. Yellow scales so its easy to locate and a lanyard hole so you can tie it off.

That's a cool knife but pricey. I'm just using a cheap kitchen knife with a plastic sleeve. I store the knife in my bait tank at launch and landing.

I agree with gutting the fish immediately. No mess at home and no fishy smell.

I caught 4 bonitos at the same location last weekend and it felt like I was chumming...

[FullFlavorPike]

An inexpensive dive knife is a great way to go.

https://www.makospearguns.com/Kona-Kill-Knife-p/mkk.htm

Zip tie the sheath wherever you want it.

[socal.beach.bum]

I use a blunt tip dive knife and a tuna spike to dispatch the fish quickly.
The dive knife has been great gutting and scaling my catch.

[Harry Hill]

Fixed blade all non corrosive materials and super sharp in case I have to cut myself free of anything. I keep it tied to the boat in it's sheath , if I ever go over board I don't want a sharp blade in the water with me.

[chris138]

Lately I've been using scissors to clip the gills. Much easier and safer.

[skrilla]

Tools falling overboard is my specialty. I lose them before they rust or dull badly . I buy cheap and stack em deep. Fixed serrated knives are good all around knife for cutting and sawing. Scissors are awesome especially for cutting squid strips.

[soyaky]

Originally Posted by bracks

I am hearing it is best practice to gill and gut fish on the water. Sounds great since that removes a messy step before you get home. Any recommendations for an on-the-water knife? Safety is my top concern....and getting through the head.

I use this

Camillus 8" Multi Function Game Shear with Sheath https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A26R0AK..._1adsFb5ZS8TS6

Has a sheath. Comes apart and can be used like a knife. Safe, cheap, and efficient.

[bracks]

Great advice, y'all. Thanks for sharing.

Those game shears look interesting for sure (and cheap!). I'm gonna try a fixed blade with a nice sheath and find a place to stash it safely in the yak. Once it falls overboard I can try something else

[Harry Hill]

I think the game shears are a great idea. I like my knife but I use shears for prepping birds all the time, they will work great on fish. A word of warning though, it's easy to cut your finger tip with shears and it hurts when you do.

[FullFlavorPike]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

I use shears for prepping birds all the time,

when you're catching cormorants on sardines !!

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

when you're catching cormorants on sardines !!

Pelicans, more bang for the buck and I repurpose the pouch and sell them as designer hand bags

[ProfessorLongArms]

My fishing store sells 3.99 Promar bait knives with a polypro handle.
Did every job I ever asked of it.

If I spent more than that on a knife I'd lose it.
If I lost this one, I wouldn't care

[ProfessorLongArms]

Originally Posted by soyaky

I use this

Camillus 8" Multi Function Game Shear with Sheath https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A26R0AK..._1adsFb5ZS8TS6

Has a sheath. Comes apart and can be used like a knife. Safe, cheap, and efficient.

Although damnit those shears looks amazing.
They look really similar to the semi-expensive cutco shears I have in the kitchen. Totally buying a pair

[FullFlavorPike]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Pelicans, more bang for the buck and I repurpose the pouch and sell them as designer hand bags

The Coach Pelican Pouch Bag...popular with Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, etc.

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

The Coach Pelican Pouch Bag...popular with Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, etc.

I put mullet scales on them so they have some bling

[Oolie]

A small ceramic knife should work well.

[tacmik]

Been using a ceramic knife for years. No rust

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by tacmik

Been using a ceramic knife for years. No rust

Will a ceramic knife show up on an airport xray machine? Asking for a middle eastern friend.