NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: KZ on February 03, 2007, 07:02:42 PM

Title: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: KZ on February 03, 2007, 07:02:42 PM
The first time I cleaned a sturgeon, I did it the conventional way.  Cut off the head, cut off the tail, pull the noto cord, cut off the scutes and fins, peel off the skin with pliers, and steak it out.  Needless to say, I was exhasted when it was over and it took FOREVER. 

Then I attended Keith Fraser's sturgon seminar and saw how to do it the easy way... there are variations on this method too. 

1.  Cut off the top scutes and fins.
2.  Make an incision behind the head down to the pectoral fin.
3.  Cut lengthwise along the spine and down the lenght of the fish.
4.  Work the meat off the cartilidge skeleton, over the ribs and down to the belly meat.
5.  Cut off the fillets.
6.  Skin the fillets like you would anything else. 
7.  Cut out any "red meat" before cooking it.

As a variation, some will cut off all of the scutes and peel off the skin with a pliers and/or knife before filleting.

You never have to open the body cavity with this method, making it nice and neat for a home fillet job.  If you're into caviar or gizzard (ChuckE... are ya listening?)  you can check for eggs by cutting through the ribcage closer to the spine so all the guts won't just come spilling out. 

Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: jmairey on February 03, 2007, 08:14:39 PM

that bodyboard should be perfect for a nice go-out at salmon creek now...

 :shark
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: Mahi on February 03, 2007, 08:32:17 PM
PIMP!
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: Tote on February 04, 2007, 08:20:17 AM
I might keep my next one after seeing your cleaning technique.
Sure beats the heck out of this 28 step method.
http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/helpful/tips-and-tricks/cleaning-sturgeon/ (http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/helpful/tips-and-tricks/cleaning-sturgeon/)
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: ChuckE on February 04, 2007, 08:21:59 PM
I might keep my next one after seeing your cleaning technique.
Sure beats the heck out of this 28 step method.
http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/helpful/tips-and-tricks/cleaning-sturgeon/ (http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/helpful/tips-and-tricks/cleaning-sturgeon/)
That 28 step method is practically a joke.  I tried it once.  It was fun pulling out the noto cord and all that stuff, but it was so time consuming.  Erik's method makes the task as easy as filleting a ling.
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: mickfish on February 04, 2007, 08:30:04 PM
Chuck that looks nasty teach that dude how to sharpen a knife.
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: Frankfishing on February 05, 2007, 11:22:07 AM
Great instruction EK, Thanks
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: INSANEDUANE on February 05, 2007, 08:07:15 PM
I do my the same way but from the inside then I just
trim the slabs but anyway you look at it sturgeon is
the easiest fish to clean because they have no bones
got to love them  :smt001
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: guitarzan on February 10, 2007, 05:53:27 PM
Looked like the other dude forgot the bleeding step too.
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: bigCJ85 on December 13, 2010, 11:32:34 AM
i was curious if the orange coloration on the meat was fat or not. otherwise nice demonstration!
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: fungunnin on December 13, 2010, 12:35:53 PM
Yes sturgeon fat is orange in color.
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: liverbass on December 13, 2010, 08:55:33 PM
wow that looks simple...I've never cleaned one before and always convinced my buddy to do it :smt003....might try it now.
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: brdopry on December 20, 2010, 07:54:49 PM
Ok so i see how to clean 1 but whos gana post a step by step on how to get 1 to bite my dang hook :smt100
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: Fish Flogger on January 04, 2011, 04:01:08 PM
whos gana post a step by step on how to get 1 to bite my dang hook :smt100

The same guy who just showed you how to clean 'em. KZ is your man.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,14.html (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,14.html)
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: redwoodfox on January 04, 2011, 07:11:13 PM
Lotta work to process one of those
Title: Re: How to Clean A Sturgeon (the easy way)
Post by: ravensblack on January 06, 2011, 06:30:15 PM
This is a great tutorial Eric. Simple. Thanks.