Hone Knife

There are hundreds of fillet knives on the market today. Choosing the right knife for you and your type of surf fishing can be a daunting task. A good fillet knife is as important as a good rod and reel, when it comes to fishing. Many fishing enthusiasts have caught a big fish or big numbers of fish only to cobble them up with a poorly chosen fillet knife.

Although I am not an expert on cutlery, I do know a good fillet knife when it cuts me, and many have. Since we do a lot of gourmet cooking at home I do insist on good cutlery with a sharp edge and well balanced handle. The same is true for any good fillet knife.

When choosing a good knife you have to start with good steel. High carbon stainless steel is a good choice for the surf fishing enthusiast since it resist rusting and holds a good edge. I learned many years ago not to keep my surf fishing fillet knife in a leather sheath. They rust. So now I keep my fillet knife in an open tray in the top of my tackle box. This also helps to protect the cutting edge and the fisherman's fingers.

Easy fish filleting requires an extremely sharp knife, especially if you want to skin the fish as well. The high carbon stainless steel when properly sharpened and maintained will do just that. The blade of your knife should not be so thick that it does not flex. You need to be able to flex the blade to a flattened position so that your hand is above the cutting board.

The handle of the knife should be longer than your hand when holding the knife. This allows for a sturdy grip on the knife for safety. The knife should feel balanced in your hand when holding the knife horizontally. It should not feel like a tool, but an extension of your hand. Choose a knife with a comfortable grip; hopefully you will spend a lot of time with that knife in your hand.

Like any other tool in your tackle box, take care of it and treat it with respect. I keep a diamond impregnated honing steel and a ceramic hone in my tackle box. I will sharpen my knife several times while filleting fish. I always sharpen my knife before and after a filleting fest. I also lubricate it occasionally with mineral oil.

For more tips and information on surf fishing and the Outer Banks of NC visit our website at http://www.saltysport.com
About Us
Dan Bryant was born and raised near the coast of North Carolina. Until he went off to college he never lived more than 45 minutes from the beach. He fished and hunted the coastal areas of North Carolina as a youngster, spending his free time hunting for rabbit, squirrel, deer, duck and goose and fishing the coastal rivers, estuaries and beaches.
In the early 1970s Dan moved the mountains of Western North Carolina. At the same time he and his wife became enamored of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They began making several trips a year to the Outer Banks to enjoy the surf, sand, the seafood, the fishing and the water fowl hunting.
For almost forty years Dan has fished the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet. He has fished offshore trolling for big game fish, bottom fished and gone out on Party Boats. He has fished and gigged the sound for flounder and surf fished from Nags Head to Ocracoke for Red Drum and Blue Fish. Dan has caught almost every species of Atlantic fish prying the waters of the Outer Banks.
In 2004 Dan and his family purchased a 2nd home on the Outer Banks and now spend as much time as they can spare there. His favorite fishing spots are Ramp 34, Cape Point, and The Bite. Visit his website at http://www.saltysport.com

How To Hone a Knife

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