zipping walleyes ?

[rebs]

had a guy tell me something about zipping when you clean a walleye. unzipping or removing the zipper or something, does anyone know what he was talking about ? I guess this is to make them taste better

I have cleaned very few eyes because I usually release them, only keeping 1 or 2 for dinner. I have just been fileting them.

[ZipperGuy]

Once you fillet and skin the walleye, lay it skin side (where it used to be) down. Run your fisngers lightly over the lateral line, and you'll feel some fine bones. Take a very sharp fillet knife, and cut down each side of these bones. The fillet is now zippered.

I take it a step further. Once the fillet is zippered, there will be some red meat exposed where you just removed the lateral bones. Most of it was removed when you zipped the fillet, but some is still left. Run your fillet knife at about a 45 degree angel and cut the rest of it out, or as much as you can.

[perchjerker]

I do it differently.

after filleting and skinning, lay the filet with the skin (less) side up.

at the tail end, make 2 small cuts about an inch or 2 long along the lateral line, you will see it. Cut right though the tail end of the filet so you have a small peice of flesh from the center to grab. Then grab that loose center section and slowly pull it up and toward the start of the filet, like a zipper.it will remove that lateral line section with the dark meat and the tiny set of bones, leaving you with the filet seperated in half.

after a few tries you will get the hang of it

[rebs]

perchjerker

Thanks now I remember, he told me just like you say, the 2 small cuts and then pull it just like a zipper

Thanks for you help
Thank you zipper guy

[went522]

I zipper as well. Totally boneless. I do it the same way as pj. A small slice on each side of the lateral bones at the tail end. zippppp. Takes the majority of the red meat out and all the bones. Wastes no meat.

BIRDDOG

[stinkycat]

Yep! Been Zippering for quit a few years now. I always had enough fish for dinner until I zippered. Now my wife loves to eat fish. Not scared of the bones anymore. I also do it like PJ. Two small cuts and PRESTO... two nice boneless pieces of tasty delight.

Also, can do the same thing with panfish!

[patrick]

been doig it like perchjercd said works great