Fishing Knife Guide: Types and Which to Choose
Most anglers need two fishing knives: a flexible fillet knife for cleaning fish and a short, stiff bait knife for cutting bait and line. Add an electric fillet knife if you regularly clean big catches.
Types of fishing knives
Each type of fishing knife does a different job.
| Type | What it's for | Typical blade |
|---|---|---|
| Fillet knife | Cleaning fish: filleting and skinning | 4–9", thin and flexible |
| Bait knife | Cutting bait, line and general tasks | 4–5", stiff, often with a serrated spine |
| Electric fillet knife | Cleaning many fish fast | 7–12" twin reciprocating blades |
| Folding fishing knife | Carrying in a pocket or tackle bag | 3–7", folds into the handle |
What makes a good knife for fishing?
A good fishing knife grips well when wet, resists rust, comes with a sheath that drains, and is easy to sharpen on the water. Bright handle colors help you find it on a deck or in the grass.
What is the best fishing knife?
The best fishing knife is the one that matches the job. For cleaning fish, start with our top-ranked fillet knife below; for bait, pick a short, stiff knife with a serrated spine.
Fixed-blade vs folding fishing knives
Fixed-blade knives are stronger, easier to clean and safer when your hands are wet, so they're the usual choice for filleting. Folding knives are more compact and easier to carry in a pocket or tackle bag, but the hinge traps slime and needs more cleaning.
For cleaning fish, choose a fixed blade. For cutting line and bait on the move, a small folder or bait knife is handy.
What should you look for in a fishing knife?
The best fishing knives share a few features.
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel or a protective coating
- A textured, non-slip handle with a finger guard
- A sheath that drains water and locks the knife in
- A bright handle color so you can find it on a boat deck
- A blade length that matches the fish you catch
How to care for a fishing knife
A little care keeps a fishing knife sharp and rust-free for years.
- Rinse in fresh water after every trip, especially after saltwater
- Dry the blade and the sheath before storing them
- Hone the edge before each trip and sharpen when it stops cutting cleanly
- Keep it out of the dishwasher
- Store it in its sheath, out of a damp tackle box when possible
Fishing knife safety
Knife injuries are common when hands are cold and slimy. Wear a cut-resistant glove on your non-knife hand, cut away from your body, keep the knife sheathed when moving around a boat, and never try to catch a falling knife.
Common questions
What knife do most fishermen use?
Most anglers use a fillet knife for cleaning fish, plus a small bait knife or multi-tool for cutting bait and line.
Is a fillet knife the same as a fishing knife?
A fillet knife is one type of fishing knife. 'Fishing knife' also covers bait knives, folding knives and electric fillet knives.
What is a bait knife?
A short, stiff knife, often with a serrated spine, used to cut frozen bait and do general jobs around the boat.
Can you use a pocket knife for fishing?
For cutting line and small jobs, yes. For filleting, a pocket knife is usually too short, thick and stiff to remove clean fillets.
Our picks for this job
Keep reading
- How to Fillet a FishFillet a fish in seven steps: cut behind the gills, run the blade along the backbone, remove the ribs and skin it. Tools and tips included.
- How to Sharpen a Fillet KnifeSharpen a fillet knife at a 15–20° angle with a whetstone, rod or pull-through sharpener, then hone it between uses. Step by step.
- Fillet Knife vs Boning KnifeA fillet knife is thinner and more flexible for fish; a boning knife is stiffer for meat and poultry. Here's when to use each.
- What Size Fillet Knife Do I Need?Use 4–6" for panfish, 6–7" for walleye and trout, 7–9" for salmon and redfish, and 9"+ for tuna and halibut. Chart and tips.
- What Is a Fillet Knife?A fillet knife is a thin, flexible knife for removing fish fillets and skin. See what one looks like, its parts, uses, and fish knife vs fillet knife.
- Which Fillet Knife Stays the Sharpest?Any good fillet knife is sharp out of the box; what differs is how long it stays sharp. Our picks compared by steel and edge retention.
- Fillet knife buying guideLength, flex, steel, grip and electric vs manual.