Catfish is a popular fish to catch, but many anglers are unsure of how to clean it properly. Fortunately, cleaning a catfish is fairly straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps.
This article will provide detailed instructions on how to clean catfish so you can prepare your fresh-caught fish for cooking!
Preparing the Catfish for Cleaning
The first step in cleaning a catfish is to remove its scales. To do this, hold the fish firmly from behind and scrape its scales off with the back of a knife or a spoon.
Begin scraping near the head and work your way down toward the tail until all of the scales have been removed. Once you’ve finished scaling the catfish, rinse it off with cold water.
Gutting and Filleting
Once your catfish has been scaled, it’s time to gut it. Begin by cutting open the belly of the fish with a sharp knife and removing its entrails.
It’s important to make sure that all the internal organs are completely removed so they don’t spoil your meal later on.
Next, use your knife to separate the head from the body by slicing along either side of its backbone. Finally, cut along each side of its spine again to separate out two fillets from its body.
Cleaning and Seasoning
Now that your catfish has been gutted and filleted, it’s time to clean off any remaining bits of skin or fat that may still be attached to it.
Use cold water and a paper towel (or cloth) to scrub away anything that isn’t edible before seasoning with salt and pepper (or whatever seasonings you prefer).
You can also add some lemon juice or other citrus fruits at this stage if desired. Lastly, wrap the fillets in wax paper or aluminum foil before refrigerating until ready for cooking!
Conclusion
Cleaning catfish is an easy process that requires only basic knowledge and supplies such as a sharp knife, bowl for entrails, paper towels/cloth for scrubbing off any remaining bits of skin or fat, seasonings (salt & pepper), etc., as well as proper handwashing after handling raw fish. With these steps in mind, you can easily prepare your freshly-caught catfish for dinner tonight!
Fishing enthusiasts who want to enjoy their catch should try this guide on how to clean catfish – they won’t regret it!
