Flathead - The Finest Fish Fllets?
October 12th 2008 12:50
Another possible reason they are not highly regarded is that whole flathead are not easy to fillet. They are spiny, have sharp edges, tough skin, a pronounced ribcage and an irregular shape. The following step by step pictures show how it is done.
Credit: Queensland DPI&F
In Queensland, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries protect sustainable fishing by imposing bag and size limits on certain species and flathead are no exception.
5 Kilogram Dusky Flathead from South Straddie
The bar-tailed and sand flathead have a minimum legal catch size of 30cm with no bag limit but the Dusky Flathead has a bag limit of 5, with a 40cm minimum and 70cm maximum size limit. This is because Dusky flathead only begin to reach sexual maturity at around 63cm, and they are the largest species, attaining up to 150cm and 15kg.
To fillet a flathead, start by cutting off the head. Then make a shallow incision through the skin beside the row of spines along the back. Starting at the head end, deepen the incision as close to the spine as possible, until the point of the knife touches the ribcage. Follow the incision towards the tail.
Halfway down the body the ribcage ends. Push the point of the knife right through the skin of the underside. Keeping the flat of the blade pressed against the spine, cut he tail away from the bone.
It is then possible to cut around the curve of the ribcage to detach the fillet but I prefer to use heavier knife to cut right through the ribcage to remove the fillet. I then cut the ribcage away from the fillet.
To skin the fillet, lay it skin side down on the cutting board. Grasp the tip of the tail with one hand and cut the flesh down to the skin as near the tail end as possible. Work the blade under the flesh towards the head end, keeping the flat of the blade against the board.
Flathead fillets may be be grilled, deep fried, pan fried, steamed or cooked in foil but are not suitable for barbequeing as they are too soft.
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Comment by Chris Champion
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Money Whither
I'm a fan of flathead too. Living as I do around the corner from the fabulous Footscray Market (it is so universally popular and admired and loved that politicians have decided to talk about moving it) one can buy one's fresh fish with a free fillet thrown in. But I might have a go at this myself as per your instructions. I reckon it's one of those things you have to do at least once in your life.
Regards,
Chris
Comment by Dave Thomas