Thanks for all the advice i got a while back on the best choice for a electric knife. I went with BrianK's advice from Gina at the Wigwam and bought the Rapala. Took it to Lake Erie and put it through alot of fish with no problem. The local guide saw us cleaning fish and stop over for a little bs and tried out the knife and just loved it.It will be going soon to Rainy Lake also. Thanks for all the help, this site is awesome, Rogan
Gina is on some kind of a promotional staff for Rapala. If I remember correctly,
She is really fast cleaning fish.........she probably clean's a few hundred aday somedays.....she always says that I take to many steps in cleaning a fish!
which one did you end up with, if you don't mind sharing? I am thinking about getting one but still skeptical, do you need your regular knife for the rib bones then?
I can't imagine not having an electric knife. They are so slick.
It seems like friends and I all got one (Rapala) a while back and every one of them had a problem with the trigger sticking. You had to rap it against the fillet board to get it to shut off. Son in law bought one this spring and his doesn't do it yet so maybe Rapala got that problem worked out?
Tip: throw away the plastic case that the Rapala electric comes in (it is tough/frustrating to get that stuff back in there) and buy an inexpensive shaving kit bag to store it instead. Works like a charm and takes alot less space
Quote: which one did you end up with, if you don't mind sharing? I am thinking about getting one but still skeptical, do you need your regular knife for the rib bones then?
The electric works great on the rib cage,as good if not better than a fillet knife IMO.Even with panfish,once you get the hang of it you wont ever look back!
-------------------- Dean Marshall - Everts Fishing Resort
Located Below Lock & Dam #3 near Red Wing, MN!
Click on the Everts Resort banner above to visit our website!
I have both an American Angler plug in and a Rapala Battery/Plug in. Overall, I love the American Angler. Their new blades are fantastic! (And can be used in a Rapala knife BTW... ) But I bought the Rapala that can be used both 12 VDC and with the converter for AC. It is cumbersome with all the attachements and long cords. It is OK though...But I have found I have never needed the 12 VDC option. All the fish cleaning places I have been to have had either a light bulb or an outlet that I can tap into for power.
After being to Evert’s and watching the guys clean fish, I (thank you honey) now have the Rapala electric that Tuck described. I’ve used it on walleye, perch and crappie and will never go back. It does work very slick after a couple of sacrificial fish.
The case it comes with isn’t very user friendly though. The idea of using a toiletry bag is a good one.
I haven't used other brands so I can't really comment on them.
Do a search and you'll find other threads on this subject.
As far as the Rapala plastic case goes I wouldn't give up on it just yet transporting it in a bag is going to be brutal especially if you have the AC/DC version. If you learn how to rap your cords up it's not a problem just use the supplied twisty ties and practice a few times, it's worth it to have everything secured. Also the plastic cutting board comes in Handy.
I use the 12 volt option quite often on LOTW with big groups and various other places using my boat or truck battery.
I do have an after market set of blades not sure which brand maybe they are American Angler I like them a lot.
I ended up buying the ac/dc version, wanted to go cordless but when i asked for advice back in May the reviews weren't that good on cordless, so i went with advice from the members and purchased the corded version (This site is worth $$$$)Can't say much about the other types,this is my first one. I didn't have any problem getting it back in plastic case and i do like the fact that it is well protected when on a trip. Thats my 2cents. Good Luck,Rogan
Rapala electric fillet knife.
) But I bought the Rapala that can be used both 12 VDC and with the converter for AC. It is cumbersome with all the attachements and long cords. It is OK though...But I have found I have never needed the 12 VDC option. All the fish cleaning places I have been to have had either a light bulb or an outlet that I can tap into for power.
