Cleaning Fish For the Table

The fish in this tutorial is a black sea bass. Most ocean fish and many of the fish common to the Atlantic waters and Chesapeake Bay can be cleaned using the same basic method. The finished fillet, is skinless, boneless and excellent table fare.

Step 1. Cut around the outline of the fillet with the tip of the knife. Make a shallow cut just enough to get under the skin.

Step 2. Peel the skin back with a pair of pliers.

The result of step 2. The carcass is ready to fillet.

Step 3. Cut the fillet from the bone working down from the top. Use a slender flexible fillet knife. Carefully cut around the ribs. 

The finished boneless fillet ready to be rinsed and immediately put on ice or in a refrigerator.

Cleaning other species of fish

Seafood recipes