How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

Snip the Tail End of the Backbone

Snip the tail end of the backbone

Holly A. Heyser

Use the shears to snip the backbone near the tail.

• Gather Your Tools
• Cut out the Bottom Fins
• Cut Toward the Tail
• Remove the Bottom Fins
• Slice Around the Ribs
• Free the Meat from the Backbone
• Snip the Tail End of the Backbone
• Lift Out the Backbone
• Snip the Head End of the Backbone
• A Finished Split Fish