Bait Knife Thread

[Atticus]

So for some reason I get to points where I just spend a lot of time concentrating on simple boating accessories. It's kind of weird. If you look back in the archives I think I started a thread about dip nets a while back. For the last week or so I have been thinking about my bait knife. 95% of all fishing activity on my sled is done with plastics and I only have one or two buddies that still cut line/leaders with an actual knife but - for reasons unknown - I have been putting a lot of thought into bait knives lately.

I looked online a few years back and found an old thread about saltwater knives on another board. I have saved the thread and I now have bought a couple of knives from the thread over the past 24 months.

For the last year I have been keeping a Mora Companion on my console rod holder: http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companio ... anion+blue

(can be found cheaper on Ebay if you look)

This is how it looks on the console in the sheath which came with the knife.

Just messing around the other day I pulled it off the boat and I was kind of taken back at how rusted the blade had become. It gets a bunch of spray on the side of a flats boat console. But I thought it also got washed down "pretty well" as well just by default while the boat got washed. I have to admit I NEVER took the knife out and rinsed/wiped it. So user abuse was probably fairly attributable to the rust as well. This knife did some simple work on some terminal tackle and maybe chunked through a few pinfish over the course of a year. It was not regularly used. I could have maybe drilled-out the sheath down by the tip of the blade to allow more water out and more air in. But really I should have just rinsed/wiped the darned thing and it probably would have held-up better. I tried to clean it up a few different ways but I felt the need for retail therapy and I decided to get another knife. I started out trying to get another Mora but decided to get something else.

I decided to get a CRKT Russ Kommer fillet knife with a 5" blade. http://www.amazon.com/Kommer-Clampack-F ... ommer+5%22

(can be found cheaper on Ebay if you look)

Here is how the knife and sheath look and how the kinfe/sheath combo look on the rod holder.

The knife looks really great but the sheath is kind of dumb. First of all it's about 2" too long for the blade and I might chop it this weekend when boredom sets in. Also the belt loop on the inside of the sheath is totally closed and it won't affix over the VHF cable like the other sheath would. The old sheath won't fit the new knife if you're wondering.

So anyway I will ride with this for a while and report back. The comparison might not be fair because I plan on taking this knife out and washing/wiping the thing (mineral oil) so it will probably hold up better. Time will tell.

What are you guys using?

[SS-342]

Yes, I use a knife with a plastic sheath stuck in my canvas tackle box. Yes, I clean it every trip it is used and it does rust even with oil on it. I use it to cut fish for bait which isn't every trip. Only use cut bait when things are so slow I'm bored.

I think it is a FREE knife from some where that I've forgotten.

I also have a pocket knife. Don't put my trousers on without it!

I remember a thread on this forum about knives not long ago. Seems most recommended a WHITE knife? I saw some in Wilson's store in Perry but that is a fish cleaning knife.

[bman]

I really like the look of the other knives you suggested but I have been using this this:
$5.68 on Amazon - sharp, Cheep, the case has lots of cuts so it can dry out.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CTYCFA/ref ... 1RSFJNG2FN

[Rhettley]

The white handled fish cleaning knife so many recommend is the Dexter Russel. Excellent knives! I wouldn't leave it on the boat as a bait knife though. I actually was in Walmart in the kitchen section looking for a basically disposable bait knife and found a pack of 5 little paring knives. They have white or green hard plastic handles and the label says the 4" blades are stainless steel. The pack of 5 was about $3 or $4. I throw it in a little suction cup storage basket on the console that has a little slit to hold a small blade. So far the 2 I'm using haven't rusted and are pretty dang sharp for a cheapo little knife.

[mjsigns]

I used to use knives but kept loosing them on the way back in. I used to use it soley to cut bait. On the way back to the hill, I'd leave the board and the knife on my stern and it would end up (loosing both) being tossed off the stern on a lignt chop. That said, now I only carry those utility cicsors. Stainless steel and strong enough to cut hooks , bone, bait and great for bleeding spanish. Great tool and stays on my console.

[bman]

Very cool idea, I just learned something!
B

I used to use knives but kept loosing them on the way back in. I used to use it soley to cut bait. On the way back to the hill, I'd leave the board and the knife on my stern and it would end up (loosing both) being tossed off the stern on a lignt chop. That said, now I only carry those utility cicsors. Stainless steel and strong enough to cut hooks , bone, bait and great for bleeding spanish. Great tool and stays on my console.

[SS-342]

I like using the utility scissors to cut the rib bones of red fish and black sea bass. Then use my filet knife to do the filleting. Saves my knife edge.

Those utility scissors are handy.

[rammerjammer]

Mjs

Where do you buy those cutters? Got a link?

[MarkM]

Dexter Russells kept jumping off of my cutting board. I bought a 2 pack of Winchesters and they won't leave. The two weren't more than twelve. I use my DR's when I'm back on land.

[Rhettley]

I forgot to post it but me and a friend alway have the Gerber Game Shears either in the console or in cloth case provided and on our belts. I don't believe they would cut small braid but they cut bigger mono and we mainly use them for cutting bait in half or into chunks for using on the hook or with things like cigar minnow or trash fish when sitting on a spot, to cut it into tiny chunks to draw fish into the area without filling them up. It's much quicker and safer than a knife. They can be used to cut hoses and wires on boats if you have to make emergency repairs too.

[mjsigns]

Mjs

Where do you buy those cutters? Got a link?

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-1-4-quar ... 97049.html
In ths store in Tallahassee, see if you can find a 20% cupon and that should make it worth your time)

[MarkM]

I just thought of this. I usually use a serrated DR for grouper and snapper throats, when I get to go. Do you think they'd hold up for that?

[DEMON]

I use a cheap Mustad bait knife. It's stainless and I just leave it stuck in one of my rod holder without a scabbard. I gets washed when the boat does. I haven't lost one yet, probably because it only costs a couple of $$.