How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

Snip the Head End of the Backbone

Snip the head end of the backbone

Holly A. Heyser

Use the shears to cut the rest of the backbone close to the head. This will require a bit of pressure here, because the spine is strong near the head.

• 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