A good knife is handy in just about every outdoor pursuit, and fishing is no different. But what makes a knife the best fishing knife? The most obvious specialized knives for anglers are fillet knives, which are used to process your catch at the end of the day.

　　However, fishing knives arent relegated to just fillet knives. While fishing, I use knives for tasks such as cutting thick lines and braids, cutting bait, chopping down willows for a makeshift stringer, and dozens of other tasks. I received my first pocket knife when I was eight years old and have been hooked on them ever since. Ive found some of the best for my fishing pursuits.

　　This guide will focus mainly on fillet knives, with the best overall fishing knife being the Benchmade Fishcrafter and the best budget fishing knife being the Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife. However, as you read on, youll find a few other styles of knives, built for those who live on the water.

　　The Best Fillet Knives of 2025 Best Overall Fillet Knife Benchmade Fishcrafter Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon Best Budget Fillet Knife Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Rapala Best Folding Fillet Knife Gerber Controller Folding Fillet Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at GerberCheck Price at Amazon Best Compact Fishing Knife Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing Knife Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon Best Electric Fillet Knife Rapala R12 HD Lithium Fillet Knife Combo Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon Best EDC Fishing Knife Benchmade Adira Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon See more picks Benchmade Fishcrafter Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: 7, 9 Steel: CPM-MagnaCut Stainless Steel Handle Material: Santoprene Blade Style: Trailing Point Pros Wicked sharp from factory Handle is grippy when wet Handle will fit numerous hand sizes Perfect amount of flex for filleting MagnaCut steel protects knife from rust in wet environments Cons Price Dont love the belt loop attachment on the sheath Morgan Nowels The Benchmade Fishcrafter ($240) is easily the best fillet knife I have ever used. I know, it may not come as a shock that one of the most expensive fillet knives is the best, but its so good that it had to be on top. Its one of those products that makes the cost worth it.

　　When reviewing things, I strive to avoid intangible, non-specific rhetoric. But, Im about to give you some. When you pull the Fishcrafter out of the sheath, it just feels perfect. It balances very well in my hand and plays perfectly between being lightweight and substantial. I know that may not give you a lot to go off of, but when you hold one, youll get what Im saying. A fillet knife is a precision instrument, not a blunt force knife and the Fishcrafter feels like the former.

　　Enough of that, and on to more specific details. One of my favorite things about this knife is the aggressive upturned taper it has at the end. Most fillet knives have that, but its more aggressive on this one. It makes for a perfect section of blade for fine detail work such as cutting around ribs on a crappie.

　　That section for detail work as well as how sharp this knife comes straight out of the package will ensure you get some of the cleanest fillets of your life. I found the knife to glide through meat perfectly, and I never once felt like I had to saw and hack through a fish. That usually happens when your fillet knife is getting dull, but thanks to the Magnacut steel, the Fishcrafter flies through fillets and doesnt stop with a blade that stays sharp.

　　I also found the blade itself to have the perfect amount of flex I look for in a fillet knife. It has give and will bend when you need it to, but isnt so thin that it keeps a permanent set or bend when you dont want it to. On top of that, it has one of the grippiest handles that fits a wide variety of hand sizes. Theres ample contour where the blade meets the handle, allowing for rock solid placement of finger tips when doing detail work.

　　The sheath has a hidden feature that isnt noticeable at first glance, a drainage hole. That way, any excess water will drain out. But, I dont love the belt loop size or placement on the sheath. Its not large enough for the heavy duty utility belt I wear. Its also not offset, so it makes the knife ride closer to my hip than Id like.

　　While the Magnacut steel makes the knife the ultimate in corrosion resistance and edge retention, it makes it difficult to sharpen when the knife finally dulls. Ive had mine for three months and havent needed to sharpen it, but based on my past experiences trying to sharpen Magnacut, I wont even try. Ill be utilizing Benchmades Lifesharp service, where I can ship the knife to them and let an expert sharpen it.

　　Aside from those few downsides, I love this knife. Even though I have plenty of other knives to fillet fish with, the Benchmade Fishcrafter is the one I will be reaching for every single time. It makes filleting fish a breeze and is the ultimate zero maintenance fillet knife.

　　Best Budget Fillet Knife Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Rapala

　　Specifications Size: 6, 8, 10 Steel: German 1.4116 Stainless Steel with Cerakote Finish Handle Material: Textured Rubber Blade Style: Progressive Double Taper Pros Price Cerakote finish and steel provide decent rust protection Handle is ergonmic and grippy Factory sharp and is easy to re-sharpen Drying ports on sheath Cons Handle is too bulky for small hands Dulls faster than other knives No belt loop attachment Morgan Nowels Maybe youre a catch and release angler whos starting to dabble in the dark side of keeping some fish. Or maybe you spent too much on other gear to be able to justify spending a ton of money on a fishing knife. If either of those sounds like you, youll find great value in the Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife ($35-43).

　　Back in the day, I myself was an unapologetic fly fishing trout snob with little interest in keeping fish for dinner. I wasnt morally opposed to it or anything; it just wasnt the reason I fished. But I would occasionally keep my catch, which sent me to the local Walmart to find the cheapest fillet knife possible. That was a terrible idea, because they never worked well. It was one use and into the trash can.

　　This knife works great straight out of the box. I would describe filleting fish with most budget knives as sawing and hacking. It feels like youre fighting the knife. With the Rapala Stealth, its more of a gliding action. It comes from the factory sharp unlike other budget knives Ive tested.

　　The handle, while a bit oversized for those with small hands, is ergonomic and grippy. It has texturized rubber everywhere. When coated in fish slime, you wont feel like you have to hold a death grip on the handle to prevent cutting yourself open.

　　I also appreciated the sheath, which locks the knife in place, unlike other budget knives that Rapala makes. It also has open ports on the front half of it, allowing for water to drain out and for the knife to dry when it inevitably gets wet.

　　Along with the port holes on the sheath, the Rapala Stealth FXF has a Cerakote finish, helping avoid rust on a product that will definitely come in contact with water. The German 1.4116 Steel isnt the best for edge retention, but it sharpens easily and is better than what youll find on other budget knives. If youre looking for a knife that can provide decent performance, ditch the $15 knife youre considering, spend the extra few bucks on this knife, and have a product that will make your fillet job easy and last over time.

　　Best Folding Fillet Knife Gerber Controller Folding Fillet Check Price at GerberCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: 6 Steel: 9Cr with SaltRx finish Handle Material: HydroTread Grip Blade Style: Trailing Point Blade Pros Price Foldability makes for a compact fillet knife Great corrosion resistance, especially for price Grippy handle Cons No clip or sheath for belt attachment Folding design makes it less sturdy than full tang fillet knives Morgan Nowels I had concerns about testing a folding fillet knife, but the Gerber Controller Folding Fillet Knife ($50) put them to rest. My main worry was that I would apply too much pressure to the long blade at some point and bend it, which would then make it impossible to close. That was a completely unfounded worry.

　　The 9Cr steel on this knife was excellent, and for the price is tough to beat. Edge retention was excellent, and I didnt have to sharpen this knife as much as others in the test. Gerber also applied a SaltRx finish to this knife, which is allegedly extra corrosion-resistant and safe for use in saltwater. I did not take this knife to the salt, but I never found any rust spots on the knife.

　　While there are some things I loved about the handle, it wasnt as good as some of the others in the test. Its not that it isnt good, its just not as good. Ill cover the good first. The indent for your pointer finger is perfect and your hand falls right into place. I also loved the guidefins which provided the perfect spot for my thumb to rest on the top of the knife. That spot gave a huge surface area for the fat part of my thumb and allowed me to put a considerable amount of pressure on the top of my knife. I wish Benchmade had that on the Fishcrafter.

　　The downside is the middle part of the handle, which is wide, with minimal contour. When I hold this knife with a thumb on top grip, its not that noticeable. However, if I switch to a pointer finger on top grip for finesse work, my middle and ring finger dont feel very secure. Its not a dealbreaker and worked fine, it just wasnt as secure as others.

　　The folding function makes this the most packable 6-inch fillet knife youll ever use. It fit perfectly in tackle boxes, dry bags, and really anywhere. And the locking mechanism works great and holds the blade securely when deployed. However, with no sheath or pocket clip, there isnt a great place to carry it on your person. I hope Gerber eventually gives it a pocket clip.

　　Overall, the Gerber Controller Folding fillet gives you a solid steel that holds a good edge and is corrosion resistant with other nice features. If I were looking to jump out of a budget knife, but didnt have the money for the Benchmade, this is probably what I would purchase.

　　Best Compact Fishing Knife Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing Knife Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: 3.4 blade, 4.25 closed Steel: Case Tru-Sharp Stainless Steel Handle Material: Yellow Synthetic Blade Style: Long Clip Blade, Fish Scaler Blade Pros Micro size Fish scaler works well Features a hook disgorger for removal of swallowed hooks Hook hone Easy to sharpen Blade shape works well as micro fillet knife Cons Price Loses edge easier than harder steels Not grippy when wet No blade locking mechanism Morgan Nowels Im a sucker for nostalgic items, and the Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing Knife ($89) provides it in spades. Remember opening your grandpas tackle box and finding a pocket knife you werent supposed to play with at the bottom? Chances are, it looked a lot like this Case.

　　But, nostalgia aside, this knife is outright handy. If youre looking for a catch-all workhorse for all of your freshwater angling needs, this little blade is the choice for you.

　　The best part about this knife is how small it is. When folded, its about the same size as my middle finger. I do every type of fishing, but am most minimal when Im walking and wading with a fly rod in hand. The Case fits perfectly in my fly fishing pack, and no matter how full I stuff it, this little thing can always fit in somewhere. Because of that, its been on the water with me more than any knife in this test.

　　Despite the compact size, its full of useful features for anglers. The most noticeable is the hook sharpener that can be found on the side. Its a touch too small for giant flipping hooks, but from tiny dry flies, to medium sized bass lures, you can sharpen and take burrs out of your hook with it. It also has a hook disgorger built into it. Usually, I dread seeing a fish with a line leading deep into its throat, but this function helped immensely.

　　Youll find two blades on this knife, a long clip blade and a scaling blade. The scaling blade has rounded serrations and is purposely built dull so as to not cut through skin and into meat when de-scaling fish. The long clip blade serves as a multi-use blade for cutting lines and all of the other things you need a knife to do. But, the style of the blade makes it perform well as a small fillet knife. In conjunction with the scaling blade, I found the knife to work great while cutting up rock bass and bluegill for dinner on an overnight rafting trip. Due to the size, its not great for large fish, but could provide passable functionality.

　　Some knife snobs will complain that the Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing Knife doesnt have a fancy, high-grade steel. That may be true, but you know what this knife does? Solve problems that only a purpose-built knife can. Its reminiscent of those childhood days when you were obsessed with your Swiss Army Knife because it just worked. And so what if it dulls easily? It sharpens easily, too.

　　Best Electric Fillet Knife Rapala R12 HD Lithium Fillet Knife Combo Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: Comes with 6 and 7.5 blades Steel: Not Listed, TPFE Coating Handle Material: Textured Rubber Blade Style: Interlocking serrated fillet blades Pros Makes fast work of filleting Power function does all the work Reduces hand and wrist fatigue for big fillet jobs Front light helps in low light conditions Multiple blades available for different-sized fish Cons Price Bulky Takes time to get used to using No way to sharpen blades, must purchase replacements Morgan Nowels If huge fillet jobs for family fish fries are your thing, the Rapala R12 HD Lithium Fillet Knife Combo ($195) will make your life a whole lot easier. I was first turned on to electric fillet knives while working as an ice fishing guide in Utah. During those years, I filleted an ungodly amount of perch. An electric knife made it faster.

　　Nowadays, electric fillet knives dont need a cord as we have great lithium-ion batteries in knives like this one. I never once had a fillet job this spring that ran a battery out. You would have to either be fishing with a massive group, or keep way above your limit to kill one of these batteries. The combo comes with two batteries.

　　When used correctly, this knife will absolutely fly. I think the best use for this knife is for anglers who find themselves filleting large numbers of small fish. With standard knives, that takes a lot of time. Crappie, bluegill, and walleye are perfect examples, and youll find your time cutting up fish drastically reduced. I no longer dread cutting up 20 bluegill, thanks to the R12.

　　Using this knife takes some getting used to. It has two interlocking blades that saw back and forth. With a standard fillet knife, you have to impart the cutting action and apply a decent amount of pressure. This knife does it for you.

　　To get the benefit from this knife, you have to apply much less pressure than you would with a standard knife. Think, let the knife do the work, Im just guiding it in a direction. Once you make that adjustment, youll burn through fillets. On top of that, you wont have to grip the knife nearly as hard and youll experience zero hand and wrist fatigue over an extended period of time.

　　Like a power tool, Rapala was smart and put an LED light on the front of the knife. That provides excellent light to see what your doing in low light conditions. I dont know about you, but Im rarely filleting fish in the bright daylight, and I loved having a light pointing exactly where I needed it.

　　The knife comes with two different-sized blades and more sizes are available for purchase. The only downside is that the R12 is bulky, and you wont be bringing it on the boat with you. For me, its relegated to home use when I bring fish back in a cooler or the live well.

　　Best EDC Fishing Knife Benchmade Adira Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: 3.88 blade, 9 open length Steel: CPM-MagnaCut Stainless Steel with Cerakote Blue Titanium Finish Handle Material: Grivory Blade Style: Drop-Point Pros Doubles as a great EDC knife Cerakote finish provides additional rust protection Lightweight Blade stays sharp through any tasks demanded Pointer finger lies great on the blade when doing finesse work Cons Handle not as grippy as others when wet Minimal jimping on the blade Morgan Nowels There are numerous knife buyers guides here at Gear Junkie, and the Benchmade Adira ($260) could fit into a few of them. The reason its here is that its part of Benchmades water line. That means it was designed to withstand harsh elements, such as saltwater and frequent exposure to moisture. Outside of that, it falls into the everyday carry pocket knife category.

　　The Adira is one of the few knives in Benchmades line that features Magnacut steel. If youre not in the know about Magnacut, one of the main benefits is extreme corrosion resistance. Corrosion resistance is probably the most important factor for me when choosing a knife to carry on the water. On top of the Magnacut steel, Benchmade offers the Adira with a blue Cerakote finish to enhance that resistance. Thats the model Ive been using.

　　Ive carried this knife in my pocket while wet wading trout streams, completely submerging it. Its in my pocket while on the lake during torrential downpours. Its spent most of its life getting wet, and there has been zero corrosion on the blade. Other pocket knives Ive used similarly end up with rust spots.

　　The handle is made of what Benchmade calls Grivory. They provide all sorts of fancy descriptions of it on their website, but I can provide a clearer description. Its a highly durable plastic. While many people may look down on a plastic-feeling handle, I love it due to the weight savings it provides. When Im fishing, Im often wearing lightweight, quick-drying pants. Weight clipped to your pocket becomes very noticeable unlike when you wear denim. I can slip the Adira in and forget that its there no matter what pants or shorts Im in.

　　This knife isnt limited to fishing applications and I use it daily for every task I come across. I cut open boxes, cut rope for hunting blind tie downs, and use it for cutting d-loop material and serving when working on my bow. When I hit the water, it cuts fishing line, guts fish, and has stayed sharp the entire time.

　　The handle isnt as grippy as that found on other water knives, and I wish there were more jimping further down the blade. But, if youre someone who lives in, on, or around the water, the Benchamde Adira is a solid EDC knife that will stand up to the elements.

　　Other Fishing Knives, Tested Rapala Fish N Fillet Check Price at Bass Pro ShopsCheck Price at Amazon

　　Specifications Size: 4, 6, 7.5 and 9 available Steel: Swedish Stainless Steel Handle Material: Wood Blade Style: Progressive taper, full tang Pros Price Numerous sizes to choose from Easy to sharpen Available anywhere Flexible blade Cons Not sharp out of the box Dulls Easily Sheath isnt very secure Morgan Nowels Just about every single person on the planet who has filleted a fish has used the Rapala Fish N Fillet (price variable). This is the iconic fishing knife and has been around since 1967. Rapala claims that sales of this knife have surpassed 100 million units. Thats a lot of fish getting cut up.

　　I have owned several of these knives over the years. The main reason is their affordability and widespread availability. If there is a Walmart, hardware store, or country store near you that sells fishing equipment, I can just about guarantee you can find one of these. So, whenever Ive been in a bind and needed a knife, the Fish N Fillet has always been there for me.

　　The last time I purchased one of these was about five years ago, so for this guide, I went and picked one up at the local Walmart to stack it against the competition. It doesnt come out of the box sharp, and youll need to touch it up right out of the gate. Youll also find it dulls easily. So performance wise, its not up to par with some of the latest offerings.

　　However, it sharpens easily and you can get it very sharp. I also like how flexible the blade is. And, with how inexpensive they are, its not a loss when you inevitably lose it or throw it away after forgetting to clean it.

　　The leather sheath wont securely hold the knife and its pretty clear this is a budget knife. But, the knife/sheath combo looks cool and there are a bunch of sizes available for all sorts of fillet jobs. If you need a cheap knife to get the job done, the Rapala Fish N Fillet is a great option.

　　NRS Co-Pilot Knife Check Price at REI

　　Specifications Size: 2.8 blade, 6 total length Steel: 420 HC (titanium version available) Handle Material: Glass-reinforced polypropylene w/rubber overlay Blade Style: Blunt tip with smooth and serrated sections Pros Blunt tip allows for use as a screwdriver and prybar Blunt tip wont pop inflatable craft Serration is great for cutting rope Bottle opener Easy access sheath Cons Cant be used to process fish Short blade Morgan Nowels The NRS Co-Pilot knife ($45) is designed for swiftwater rescue and inflatable boat users. During my trout guiding days, I worked out of a raft and had this knife with me on every single trip. If I remember right, I picked up this knife 14 years ago.

　　This is the one knife in my collection that has received absolutely no maintenance. Im ashamed to admit, Ive never sharpened it. Ive left it to rot in the bottom of boat boxes, soaked it in rapids, and left it on the outside of my life vest in torrential downpours. Surprisingly, the relatively inexpensive 420 HC steel has only exhibited very minor amounts of corrosion. The lack of rust on it is astonishing.

　　NRS built this knife with a blunted tip for a few reasons. First and foremost, if you drop it in a raft, it wont pop your boat. Second, the blunted tip is safer to use in a swiftwater rescue situation. Most importantly for me, it allows me to abuse it. You know how every knife manufacturer on the planet says not to use your knife as a screwdriver or prybar? The blunt tip on the Co-Pilot is perfect for jobs requiring that.

　　The sheath is designed to attach to your PFD perfectly, ensuring its out of the way, but always ready for use. The knife also removes from the sheath quickly, for those times you need to act fast. That ease of use means youll use it more than youd think.

　　While some may dislike serrated edges, I love it on this knife because it cuts rope easily, which can be very important on a river. Ive had one boat crash in my life. Not a cute little boat flip that sends thrill seekers into the drink through a rapid. Im talking a full-on submerged boat wrapped around a strainer. Long story short, I needed to cut up an anchor line and other ropes. This knife saved the day.

　　This knife is useless for cutting up fish, but if you fish out of a raft, the NRS Co-Pilot can be there for you when you need it most.

　　Best Fillet Knives Comparison Chart

　　(Photo/Morgan Nowels) This particular guide required numerous fish fries. I took one for the team and tirelessly forced myself, as well as friends and family, to eat dozens of fried fish that I had filleted with the knives in the test. Obviously, that required the other terrible part of the test — going fishing to harvest those meals. While on the water, I utilized the non-fillet knives in this test to help out with fishing-related activities that required a blade.

　　Who I Am Im a guy who has dedicated most of my adult life to the pursuit of fish. One time in high school, I was watching a fly fishing film where Mark Raisler, owner of Headhunters fly shop, said in regards to Craig, Montana, Dont bring your kids here. They wont grow up to become a doctor or an attorney. I took that to heart. And I went to Craig. There are no letters at the end of my email signature.

　　I spent years guiding ice fishing trips in the Rocky Mountain West. That particular time of my life is accentuated by ridiculously long fillet jobs, processing my clients panfish and trout for dinner. I cut up fish with frozen hands on frozen lakes and spent hours in a dark garage hunched over a cutting board. I learned quickly how to best process fish, and what made some fillet knives better than others.

　　Through the years, Ive also carried knives on all of my fishing trips and have experience in what makes a knife work for use on the water.

　　My Fishing Grounds and Testing Process

　　(Photo/Morgan Nowels) Unfortunately for this round of testing, I didnt get to go to a far-flung destination to chase exotic fish. I kept it right in my backyard, and by that, I mean within a five-hour radius of Nashville, Tenn.

　　Still, there were plenty of different fish to pursue, process, and eat. Within an hour of my home, I caught panfish, black bass, musky, trout, striped bass, white bass, crappie, and catfish. I did not take these knives to the saltwater, but I have a few salty trips planned this year and will update the guide accordingly.

　　Sometimes this test was conducted in my kitchen in the dark after a late night on the water. Weve all been there, coming home exhausted and remembering that you have a live well full of crappie that needs to be filleted. Other times, I used fillet knives on the water.

　　Most notable was a weekend-long, overnight rafting/fishing trip through the protected Mark Twain National Forest. My buddy and I floated through a blue ribbon trout section of the river, followed by a warm water stretch where we caught bass and panfish. We spent our evening cutting up fish streamside and having great camp meals.

　　While on the water, I used the non-fillet knives to cut lines, chop bait, and nearly everything else. On my float trip, I used them to perform everyday camp tasks, such as cooking, cutting firewood, and slicing paracord to bind dry bags to the raft.

　　I brought home piles of fish from our local reservoirs and switched the fillet knives I used back to back. To test the out-of-the-box sharpness and edge retention, I opted not to touch up the blades until absolutely necessary.

　　Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Fillet Knife

　　(Photo/Morgan Nowels) Knives for fishing are diverse, featuring powered options, various sizes, and different metals used in their construction. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when purchasing one. And if youre looking for a knife for your hunting pursuits, check out our best hunting knives buyers guide.

　　Types of Fishing Knives I categorize fishing knives into two types: fillet knives and fishing-specific knives that serve as a tool. The argument could be made that multi-tools could also be included. I carry a multi-tool anytime Im using a boat with an outboard, in case I need to do some on-the-water mechanical work. But, if thats what youre looking for, check out our Best Multitools Buyers Guide.

　　Fillet knives are designed to cut up fish. They have long, sharp, and often flexible blades that are excellent for slicing meat off a fish and its skin. In a pinch, they can also double as a blade for other fishing-related tasks, but you should avoid doing that. You want to keep the blade as sharp as possible for meat processing. A dull blade will result in more work and wasted meat.

　　Fishing-specific knives are a little harder to nail down. Think of your standard pocket knife, but with more water-related features. My favorite, the Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing Knife, serves as a bit of a Swiss Army knife. It has features built in specifically for anglers, such as a hook hone to sharpen hooks. These types of knives are often similar to an everyday knife, just with extra corrosion resistance built into them from either a Cerakote finish or a specialized steel. Theyre an everyday carry knife for fishermen.

　　Type of Steel

　　The best fishing knives are made of highly corrosion-resistant steels, like CPM MagnaCut;(Photo/Morgan Nowels) There is an endless amount of content online regarding the steel used to make knives. Its arguably the most essential part of any knife. I wont add yet another rendition of the same material, because the rest of the Gear Junkie team has already done that. Check out our Knife Steel Guide if you want to take a deep dive into the pros and cons of individual steel types. You can find the steel used to make the knives in this test on the comparison chart. I will, however, give some general statements.

　　From a fishing standpoint, steel has three main properties you should be concerned with: corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening.

　　Corrosion Resistance Corrosion resistance sits up top for my consideration, since a fishing knife is invariably going to get wet—a lot. That often leads to a rust-coated blade.

　　Blades made from Magnacut steel, like the Benchmade Fishcrafter are the most corrosion-resistant youll find. You can submerge them in fresh and saltwater, and forget to dry them, without finding rust on your knife. The problem is, Magnacut is expensive.

　　Some budget-friendly knives circumvent this issue by coating the knife in Cerakote. Its not completely foolproof and wont provide the same level of protection as the best steel will, but its passable for those on a budget. Just be sure to dry your blade, especially the exposed edge, after each use.

　　Edge Retention and Ease of Sharpening

　　Knives with a soft steel, like the Rapala Fish N Fillet dont hold an edge well, but are sharpened easily with most sharpeners; (photo/Morgan Nowels) These two factors are inversely related to one another. A steel that holds an edge better will be harder to sharpen and vice versa. Theres no right or wrong here, just what you prefer.

　　The German 1.4116 steel found on the Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife, for example, dulled quicker than my other blades. However, I was able to restore it to its factory-sharp condition relatively easily using multiple types of sharpeners.

　　Thats a stark contrast to the Benchmade Adira, made from MagnaCut. Im not going to pretend to be an expert knife sharpener, and Ive stopped trying to sharpen MagnaCut. Benchmade allows you to ship a knife back to them to re-sharpen, and its a program I utilize for hard steels. With that said, knives that are hard to sharpen take a lot of use to dull. I ship mine to Benchmade at most twice a year.

　　So, you either have to perform regular, easy maintenance or rare, difficult maintenance. The choice is yours.

　　Handles on the Best Fillet Knives

　　The best fishing knife handles are rubberized with contours for maximum grip; (photo/Morgan Nowels) Handle design is important on every knife, but its critical in fishing scenarios. Most people use knives in dry environments. Anglers have hands caked in fish slime and are covered in water. Grip is hard to maintain, and a slippery fillet knife can quickly lead to stitches.

　　As a result, the best fishing knives have rubberized handles with texturing. Rubber remains sticky when wet, and the texture acts as jimping. Jimping is grooves built into a knife blade or handle that allow for a better grip.

　　Our best budget fishing knife, the Rapala Stealth FXF Fillet Knife, has a grip that locks down individual fingers, which was my favorite grip, although its probably only best for those with large hands. Handles like the one found on the Gerber Controller Folding Fillet knife are also rubber and texturized, but will fit a wide variety of hand sizes. Others, like the Case Yellow Synthetic Fishing knife, have no rubber or texture, which loses points with me.

　　The point is, rubber or some fancy variation of it, is best. And lots of texture.

　　Length

　　The Rapala R12 HD comes with multiple blades of differing length, ensuring you have just the right size for your catch; (photo/Morgan Nowels) Most fillet knives come in multiple sizes, and it works exactly how you think it would. Shorter blades are better for small fish, and large blades are for big fish.

　　A six-inch blade is great for panfish, crappie and can work for most freshwater fish. Smaller blades like the one on the Case Synthetic Yellow Fishing knife are also great for those sizes of fish.

　　Seven to eight-inch blades are great for a catch-all fillet knife. You can use them for walleye and trout, and they wont give you any significant issues when cutting apart smaller panfish species. In a bind, you can even use them for larger fish like catfish and tuna, it may just take a few more cuts.

　　Large knives, such as the nine-inch version of the Benchmade Fishcrafter, are best suited for saltwater anglers. Guys who chase monster catfish will also appreciate a longer cutting blade.

　　That being said, Ive used giant knives to cut apart small fish and small knives to fillet giant steelhead. Make your selection based on the fish you chase the most. The best powered fillet knife, the Rapala R12, comes with multiple blade sizes that are interchangeable, which is great for those who target numerous species.

　　Flex

　　(Photo/Morgan Nowels) Most people dont think of flex when they think of a knife blade, but it can come in handy when filleting. When cutting up smaller fish, I prefer a flexible blade, such as the one found on the Gerber Controller. It allows me to follow the contours of the ribs and save every bit of meat on a small fillet.

　　When cutting tougher fish, such as tuna or thick-skinned catfish, I prefer a blade with minimal flex. That mostly comes down to personal preference and isnt a deal breaker either way, but you may find you like one over the other.

　　Power or No Power

　　Powered knives like the Rapala R12 HD can make quick work of big fillet jobs; (photo/Morgan Nowels) Some people think powered fillet knives are a gimmick, while others love them. I fall into the latter category. But, my passion for them requires a bit of explanation.

　　Powered fillet knives do have some significant drawbacks. Theyre ridiculously bulky and because of that, you wont take them with you on the water. Theyre best left at the dock to be used at a fish cleaning station, or at home to use in the garage or kitchen.

　　Batteries need to be charged, and they must be assembled and then disassembled for cleaning after each use. Sounds like a headache, right?

　　If youre keeping a few fish here and there, or only fillet a few large fish, its not worth the hassle. But, for large fillet jobs, or those filleting dozens of panfish or crappie, there is no other option. A powered fillet knife like the Rapala R12 HD will make your life so much easier. If you clean high numbers of fish each week, consider going powered. Outside of that, a standard knife is all you need.

　　Other Features

　　Fishing knives like the Case Synthetic Yellow Fishing Knife have features like hook hones to keep your hook points razor sharp; (photo/Morgan Nowels) When considering fillet knives, take note of the features found on the sheath that comes with the knife. Some budget fillet knives dont have a sheath that locks the blade in, which isnt ideal. I like a sheath like the one found on the Benchmade Fishcrafter that requires you to apply pressure to the sheath to remove the knife. A secure knife on a bumpy boat is necessary.

　　I also like having some way to attach the knife to my belt. Its a function that I dont always use, but its better to have the option than not. Thats one of the main reasons the Gerber Controller lost points with me. Even though its a foldable fillet knife, making it a smaller package than others, the lack of a belt clip or sheath makes it a bit annoying to pack around.

　　Other fishing knives will have other useful tools, the most notable being the Case Yellow Synthetic fishing knife, which has a hook hone and a hook disgorger, making the tiny knife well worth its weight while I was on the water.

　　Another knife that boasts useful features is the NRS Co-Pilot. It has a bottle opener and blunted tip. That tip is designed not to pop inflatable fishing crafts. However, I like it because it allows me to use it as both a screwdriver and a pry bar without feeling guilty.

　　Fillet knives wont come with those fancy additions, but if you need an all-purpose knife, grab one with fishing-specific features.

　　Price and Value

　　Some budget knives, like the Rapala Stealth FXF have blades coated in Cerakote, increasing corrosion resistance; (photo/Morgan Nowels) Like most knives, price is mainly associated with the quality of steel in the blade. Here are some price ranges and what you can expect to spend.

　　Budget Fishing Knives There are budget fishing knives from $10 to $45. Ive used some knives in the $10-15 category, and most of them were a waste of money. They all required sharpening out of the box to provide passable service. And, Id be willing to bet someone buying a budget knife doesnt have a good sharpener. So add one of those to the cart. Now youre in the $30-40 range. Just avoid those dirt-cheap knives.

　　But, other budget knives like the Rapala Stealth FXF have decent steel, especially in modern times. It used to be that the steels on lower priced knives were subpar, but foreign, lower-grade steels are improving steadily.

　　Knives in this price range will be able to get the job done. However, they wont retain an edge very long due to the lower grade steel and will need to be sharpened regularly. Youll also need to remember to dry them off after a day on the water, as they are more prone to rust.

　　Mid-Tier Fishing Knives Knives in the $50-120 range will improve upon budget knives through better steel. Youll get better edge retention and better corrosion resistance.

　　My favorite in this category was the Gerber Controller, which is made with 9Cr steel and is an excellent value. Its a Chinese-made steel that can hold up with many of the more popular mid-range steels on the market. Knives in this category wont need as much sharpening and will survive just fine if you occasionally forget to dry them off.

　　Premium Fishing Knives The most expensive knives ($170+) will have the most durable steels on the market. In the fishing space, that usually means CPM Magnacut found on blades like the Benchmade Adira.

　　That price range may be overkill for someone who only uses a fishing knife a few times a year, but for those who spend a ton of time on the water, its well worth the price of admission.

　　Knives I use in this range are great for one reason: they require virtually no maintenance. The edge will stay sharp, and rust and corrosion from water are non-issues. If youre like me and want a knife that performs well time and time again, even after being neglected in a boat storage locker, plan on spending a bit more.

　　Frequently Asked Questions

　　(Photo/Morgan Nowels) Who makes the best fishing knives? My favorite fillet knife is the Benchmade Fishcrafter and my top EDC fishing knife is the Benchmade Adira, so Benchmade clearly makes some of the best products out there. However, Rapala, a brand traditionally known for lures, also makes exceptional fishing knives, specifically in the budget and powered categories.

　　What knives are best for fish? Fillet knives are best for processing fish. They are designed to be thin and ultra-sharp, which allows you to make precise cuts and preserve as much meat as possible.

　　What is the best steel for fishing knives? Steels that are highly corrosion-resistant are best suited for fishing knives. A prime example is Magnacut, which appears to be nearly impervious to rust. However, other, more budget-friendly steels also get the job done, like the 9Cr steel found on the Gerber Controller.

　　What is the best length for a fillet knife? Seven to nine-inch blades are great for cutting up a variety of fish species. For anglers primarily pursuing panfish, a six inch fillet knife is great and saltwater anglers tend to use knives that are nine inches and above.