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How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

By Hank Shaw, About.com

8 of 10

Lift Out the Backbone

Lift out the backbone

Lift out the backbone

Holly A. Heyser

Once you've snipped the tail end of the backbone, begin lifting it out of the fish. You may have to gently slice away some remaining bits to free it -- do not yank on it, just move gently and smoothly.

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