How To Fillet A Wahoo

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fillet a Wahoo

Wahoo, also known as ono, is a delicious and prized fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Known for its firm texture and mild flavor, wahoo is a favorite among seafood lovers. If you’ve recently caught a wahoo and are wondering how to fillet it, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these simple steps to prepare your wahoo for a delectable meal.

What You’ll Need

Before you start filleting your wahoo, make sure you have the following items on hand:

• Sharp fillet knife
• Cutting board
• Bowl of ice water
• Paper towels

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area

Find a clean and spacious area to work on. Place a cutting board on a stable surface and gather all your materials. It’s essential to have a sturdy and flat workspace to ensure safety and precision during the filleting process.

Step 2: Rinse the Wahoo

Before filleting the wahoo, rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris or scales. Pat the fish dry with paper towels to prepare it for the filleting process.

Step 3: Begin the Filleting Process

Hold the wahoo firmly by the tail on the cutting board. Using a sharp fillet knife, make a small incision behind the pectoral fin and cut along the backbone towards the head. Apply gentle pressure to separate the fillet from the bone, following the natural contours of the fish.

Step 4: Remove the Fillet

Once you’ve cut along the entire length of the fish, carefully lift the fillet away from the bones. Take your time and use smooth, deliberate motions to ensure you extract the entire fillet in one piece.

Step 5: Repeat the Process

Turn the wahoo over and repeat the filleting process on the other side. Take care to remove any remaining bones or scales from the fillets as you work.

Step 6: Trim and Clean the Fillets

After removing the fillets, place them on the cutting board and trim away any excess skin or dark flesh. Rinse the fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step ensures that your wahoo fillets are clean and ready for cooking.

Step 7: Store or Cook the Fillets

Once you’ve filleted and cleaned the wahoo, you can choose to cook the fillets immediately or store them for later use. If you plan to store the fillets, place them in a bowl of ice water to keep them fresh until you’re ready to cook.

Now that you’ve successfully filleted your wahoo, you’re ready to enjoy a delicious seafood dish. Whether you grill, bake, or pan-sear the fillets, your freshly prepared wahoo is sure to delight your taste buds and impress your guests.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to filleting fish, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. With time and experience, you’ll master the art of filleting wahoo like a pro.

Happy filleting!