Remove Northern Y bones

[Coach]

I am looking for instructions/pictures on the best way to remove the y bones in northerns. Every time I try it I feel that I am wasting too much meat. Thank you for any info.

[mntraveler]

I've seen Bill Hesselgrave's name mentioned a few times on the site, hopefully it's ok. He has a good video for filleting fish as well as processing venison

[metrojoe]

Try here: Removing Y-Bones

My uncle can do this real well. He has showed me how to do it a couple times but I still don't quite get it.

Oh well...good thing I like pickled fish.

[Shane683]

Coach,

Once you get the strips of meat out with the Y-Bones keep them for pickling. Good Stuff!!

[Mike89]

Coach, I can send a drawing to you if you want. The way I do it is simple enough but putting it into words and not pic's is hard. I'll give you my email if you want. Mike

[Coach]

Thanks for all of the replys. Mike, if you could please send the pic's to me at ed dot hagberg at rbcdain dot com. Thanks again

[Bubbadust]

Mike,

Would you mind sending me the drawing also? Thanks!

ryans AT localmotion DOT com

[Mike89]

I will draw it up for you, scan it and send it to you both. Glad to help. It might be a saturday before I send it but it will be done. I'm thinking there are not many northerns being caught right now!! Mike

[Cooter]

I'd love a pic as well if its not too much trouble.

[email protected]

[Mike89]

all 3 of you have email. the attachment looks bad but when you print it, it comes out fine. Hope it helps you. Mike

[Tim L]

Mike89 mind sending pic's my way

[email protected]

[tonyjor]

I'll take one also, please. I was taught a method by my g/f's uncle that works pretty slick. I'd also like to try yours to compare. Thanks!

[tonyjor]

I'm an (Contact US Regarding This Word) here's my email [email protected]

[TeamNSO]

Ifin you wouldn't mind: Could you pass it on to

northstaroutdoors(at)gmail(dot)com also:

I would love to see Ice Leaders do a video on how to do this properly...I just cant' seem to get it. Any help is appreciated.

[fishin789]

Here's a tip.

Practice on smaller pike. Once you get good taking the Y bones out of a small pike the bigger ones are real easy.

When I first started taking out the Y bones I mutalated a lot of small pike before I got pretty good at it.The kids didn't seem to mind that they got small fish chips instead of a fillet. At least they didn't have to worry about taking the bones out.

[Polar Bear]

Here's a HSOforum that explains it exactly, along with pictures:

http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/ndoutdoors/issues/articles-brochures/pike-how-to-filet/index.html

[tonyjor]

That's how I've been doing it. It works pretty good but you need a sharp knife and a litte dexterity

[eskay]

Hey Guys, there's a video out that shows you step-by-step how to do this. It's put out by Rapala, and done by Gary Parsons. I think it's called "How to Clean and Fillet Fish", but not quite sure. This is the way I finally figured out how to get rid of the Y-bones after years of trying every different "Uncle Joe's Way". There are other species cleaned on this video, but the northern section is worth the price. I think I paid 12 bucks at the local sports shop a couple of years ago. Worth the money.

[Guest]

Just a thought. I don't know if the rules have changed but it used to be, and still may be, that each seperate piece can be considered a fillet. So for example you clean two northerns and get 3 pieces from each that could be considered 6 fillets even though it came from 2 fish. It might be an interpretation thing but one worth checking on. The Y bones can be taken out leaving each side intact. Fillet out each side regular then remove rib bones.

[Mike89]

That looks like a good one, for me the pictures seem small but because I can do it, it seems simple enough. One thing for sure, northerns are one of the best eating fish!!!! Mike

[1lkstage]

bemduckboy:

are you getting the 3 pieces/fillet. by the top piece, bottom side around the "Y" bones, and then the tail?? Cause I first cut the tail piece off after the rib bones, then follow the Y bones off each side, to get 3 peices and no bones. the 4th has all the Y bones. I always keep the Y bone piece for myself so "no waste".(haven't got into the pickleing thing yet!)! If your northern is up to maybe 4 lbs, I'll put slits(cuts through the Y bones) every 1/4 inch through the Y bones and they will fry out!

[Cooter]

Thanks Mike.

[woodeye]

Do a internet search using "northern y bones". There were many good sites that came up. The only thing I do different is cut the filet up into thirds, then remove the "y" bones.

[Mike89]

You bet Cooter, hope I did help you!! If not I can do a hands on sometime if you get by Osakis!! Mike