Knives are and essential tool for all anglers. We detail our top 5 sport fishing knives worth considering when next adding to your tackle bag.
The fillet knife is an essential part of any anglers’ tool kit. Wherever you plan to fish, whether your local river, jetty, or out at sea, having a knife with you can help with a multitude of tasks we face while fishing.
Fillet knives will primarily be used for dispatching and cleaning the fish you plan to take home after fishing. Its narrow but flexible blade allows users to easily punch through the fish’s skin and cut out the meat as close to the bone as possible.
Knives are also used to bleed freshly caught fish, to maintain the quality of the meat.
As discussed in a previous post, bleeding your fish is crucial if you want to take home the fish in the best possible condition.
Apart from keeping the fish you take home in its best possible condition, we also use our knives to prepare and cut the bait that we intend to use later in the day. Fish won’t always take lures, but if we are lucky enough to snag a skipjack or a barracuda, it will most likely end up in the esky for use later as bait.
A must have on the boat, in your tackle bag or even in your car, fillet knives are an essential tool for any fishing adventure. Below are 5 high value and high quality knives that will last as long as you take care of them.
1. Victorinox 6 Inch Curved Fibrox Pro Boning Knife with Flexible Blade
The brand Victorinox is not just known for making our beloved Swiss Army knives. They also make high quality kitchen knives that top chefs around the world use them on the regular. The 6 inch curved blade is great for filleting fish with minimal meat wastage, and is not too long, making it hard to leave at home. The Fibrox handle is textured, slip resistant and is comfortable to grip. Non-slip is essential when filleting slippery fish with wet hands, either on a rocking boat or at the boat ramp. Keep your hands comfy and safe!
Victorinox 6 Inch Curved Fibrox
- Fillets fish with ease and precision
- Swiss made filleting knife with straight-edged flexible blade
- Expertly engineered, ergonomically shaped handle
2. DPNAO 8 Inch Fillet Knife
The DPNAO 8-inch fillet knife is a great value knife that can last you a long time if you care for it properly. The blade has a non-stick coating that helps the meat slide off easily after each stroke. The rubberized grip is large, comfortable and slip resistant, which helps to give you confidence to handle the hardest filleting tasks!The nylon sheath is open ended, allowing water to drain out after use. This helps keep the blade dry and ready for its next filleting task.
DPNAO 8 Inch Fillet Knife
- Non-stick coated blade allows smooth filleting
- Large, non-slip rubber handle for great knife control
- Comes with sheath and sharpener
3. Mustad Knife Kit
3 knives, a knife sharpener and a roll up bag for storage. This is a mighty fine deal! The Mustad fillet knife kit comes with the 7 and 8 inch fillet knives and the 9 inch boning knife. Blades are made form German stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance. The soft rubberized grips are comfortable and slip resistant, which is perfect for the task at hand. Possibly the best value out of all the knives listed here due to the bundle. All 3 knives plus a knife sharpener in the roll up bag, you’re insane if you leave these behind!
Mustad Knife Kit
- Includes the 7” and 8” Fillet Knives
- Includes the 9” Boning Knife
- German Stainless-Steel blades for excellent corrosion resistance
4. Rapala Folding Fish Pro Fillet
From one of the oldest and well-known fishing brands ever comes an innovative fillet knife that would knock anglers off their feet. It’s 5 inch blade makes easy work of bait and small to medium sized fish. And when folded, its pocketability makes it a contender to daily use utility knives for fishing. It works just like any folding utility knife, with a safe locking mechanism when opened. If you are looking for an easy to carry, easy to store and multi-use fillet knife for fishing and for any outdoor adventure, the Rapala Folding Fish Pro is tough to beat.
Rapala Folding Fish Pro Fillet
- Folds to compact size
- Easy release with lock-back design
- Perfect balance, comfortable grip, super sharp cutting edge
5. Buck Ranger 112 Folding Knife
Not a fillet knife this time, but an all-round utility knife for fishing and general outdoor use. The Buck Ranger 112 is the longer version of the ever-reliable Buck 110 hunting knife. It’s razor sharp 3 inch clip point blade has excellent strength, edge retention and is corrosion resistant. The crescent tip makes the blade thinner with a sharper point. This shape provides good control even when cutting up bait or some filleting duties. The glass filled nylon handle provides ample grip but may get slippery when doused in fish blood and guts. Keep a towel handy to wipe off slime every now and then. More of a utility knife than a designated fishing knife, the Buck Ranger 112 makes its case as a 2nd knife to carry in your pocket for cutting tasks that your fillet knives can’t handle.
Buck Ranger 112 Folding Knife
- Razor sharp 3″ Clip Point Blade has excellent strength and durability
- The lock back locks the blade open for reliable strength and safety while you work.
- Lifetime warranty!
Check Out HuntingMarks Top 9 Hunting Knives
For those who are nuts about fishing and hunting, don’t forget to check out ‘Hunting Mark’s’ Top 9 Best Hunting Knives. Renowned outdoorsman Loyal Brezny covers everything from firearms, scopes, knives, ammunition and all things hunting.
The Last Cast
Fishing without a knife is like diving without a mask. Still doable, but not ideal. Having a knife accessible when fishing allows you to quickly dispatch a fish you plan to take home, bleed the fish, fillet them and cut up bait. Even in minor emergencies like fishing line getting caught in the props, tangled fender and anchor ropes, and forgetting your braid scissors at home, your knife will come in handy in lots of different ways.
