On the water knife - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bracks · 08-25-2020, 09:31 PM

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 · 08-26-2020, 07:30 AM

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 · 08-26-2020, 08:37 AM

Quote:

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 · 08-26-2020, 08:52 AM

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 · 08-26-2020, 09:20 AM

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 · 08-26-2020, 10:10 AM

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 · 08-26-2020, 04:02 PM

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

skrilla · 08-26-2020, 06:14 PM

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 · 08-27-2020, 03:15 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-28-2020, 08:19 AM

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 · 08-28-2020, 08:39 AM

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 · 08-28-2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

I use shears for prepping birds all the time,

when you're catching cormorants on sardines !!

Harry Hill · 08-28-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

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 · 08-28-2020, 10:36 AM

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 · 08-28-2020, 10:37 AM

Quote:

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 · 08-28-2020, 03:34 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-28-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-28-2020, 06:43 PM

A small ceramic knife should work well.

tacmik · 08-29-2020, 05:53 AM

Been using a ceramic knife for years. No rust

Harry Hill · 08-29-2020, 07:33 AM

Quote:

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.

08-25-2020, 09:31 PM	#1
bracks Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 52	On the water knife 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.

08-26-2020, 07:30 AM	#2
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	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. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

08-26-2020, 10:10 AM	#6
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	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. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

08-26-2020, 06:14 PM	#8
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	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. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

08-28-2020, 08:39 AM	#11
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	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. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

08-26-2020, 08:52 AM	#4
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	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.

08-26-2020, 09:20 AM	#5
socal.beach.bum Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Palos Verde, CA Posts: 636	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.

08-26-2020, 04:02 PM	#7
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	Lately I've been using scissors to clip the gills. Much easier and safer.

08-28-2020, 08:19 AM	#10
bracks Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 52	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

08-28-2020, 10:36 AM	#14
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	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

08-29-2020, 05:53 AM	#19
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Been using a ceramic knife for years. No rust __________________