INVASIVE Fish are Taking Over...Catch Clean Cook (Clown Knife Fish & Snakehead) 

In Nigeria we have a variety of the Clown Fish, same mushy flesh and very bony. The trick isn't to try and remove the bones or scrape off the flesh, the trick is to clean it cut into chunks, season properly and then shock fry it in extremely hot oil. If the oil is sufficiently hot, it breaks the bones and fuses it with the flesh. You're left with a delicious tasting fry that's unlike anything you've ever tasted.

That snakehead was like bro you already caught me , why are you beating on my head now🤣

In 2015 I went fishing for Snakehead in Lake Ida this time of year and they were biting all day ! They are some fighters lol

Love yalls friendship. The candid crap talk during the cooking process added humor to the video. All around great video and an outside the box way of preparing mushy fish. Can’t wait to copy cat this recipe! Love your videos

Y’all were fishing the canal my grandparents live on!! Glad to see you find the honey hole 😂

I love watching young people utilizing their natural recourses. Way to go!

Hell yeah knife fish and snakehead. This is my dream is to do exactly what Vic is doing right now. Thanks for inspiring me, victor! Keep it up

I used to live down there. I'd go to canals and with a 5 gallon bucket, would 'kachunk' the bucket in the weeds close to shore. I'd catch all sorts of non native cichlids as fry, raise them in my 120 gallon tank. When they got too big I brought them over to the Non Native fish research lab (off of Spanish River, now gone) and drop them off for one of their tanks. They had a big deformed Pacu in one of their tanks named Igor. Talked to Dr Shafland, who helped bring the Peacock bass to SoFla. I fished Lake Ida a few times, but never caught a Knifefish. I miss the fishing down there a lot. Cool video guys.

Bro I try to support him as much as possible because of my respect for him, He’s a married man, he’s kind, and most important, he fishes😊

Great video Vik! I love the fishing but I stay for the cooking. Your fish sandwich looked very tasty. Good thing Johnny saved the fish. Lol. Thanks for sharing!!!

I was just in Florida a month ago for a wedding, I really wish I could've done some fishing while I was down there. Unfortunately there wasn't much time for such an adventure. Thanks for the vid boys!

If the clown fish are invasive, why do you release them?

Glad to see another vid! You’re absolutely right, im definitely flocking to my fishing channels during the 4 months the weather doesn’t let me fish myself.

Was Johnny kidding about cooking videos? Sounds good even if he steals your recipes and gives us a list. Stopping, rewinding and listening again is brutal

Vic I feel like videos like these are your bread and butter …. The whole “there’s no such thing as trash fish” thing makes for amazing content. Btw not sure if y’all already had the wedding or not but if you did congrats!!

Awesome video and the way you cleaned it at the end is so unique. Thank you for the recipe! Tight line.

Hey Vic, you’re wearing a Wedding Ring! Something I missed?❤

I’m from Minnesota and I only dream of being able to fish like you guys . I live in the city and 95% of the waters near me are over fished by poachers ..

Man, you are so right. Florida is a fisherman's paradise. You can catch all kinds of fish throughout the year. I spent a week and a half there after Christmas and it was a blast. I go there pretty often but I rarely get to fish unfortunately. But I am planning on moving there in some near future. The whole state is amazing.

Saw a water bird trying to eat a juvenile clown knife fish it caught at the boat ramp in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge at Boca the other day.

BTW, there's no way that sandwich ain't awesome! You're right, Vic. No such thing as trash fish, just trash cooks. I gave you a shout out in my Ladyfish cooking videos last week. I will be posting a banger in the next couple of days, I think you're gonna like it. Much love, brother.🎣🍻👍

yes, we had 2 inches of snow yesterday, and more on friday. Fishing is done here in CT.... but loving the videos, Hey Viktor get sponsored by Aftco like Johnny 👍👍

Man, I would fly down to FL just to eat at Victor’s restaurant 😂 every meal looks fantastic!

It's no secret that Saltwater fish is the most popular fish around the globe. However, anyone who says that freshwater fish are not good hasn't had any freshwater fish really worth eating. Fish like rainbow trout out of a cold mountain river, arctic grayling, Walleye or Sauger, any trout out of a cold deep lake, or two of my personal favorites, Sockeye Salmon and Arctic Char. There are a lot of freshwater fish that are incredible eating fish, their flavor is incredible and will have you coming back for more. Even, of all fish the lowly Yellow Perch, which is so boney that, my father used to say that you get hungry eating them, are so tasty that despite all of the bones you can't get enough of them, but the prize fish in that family are the Walleye and the Sauger, the bigger cousins of the Yellow Perch. And what's more about almost all of these fish is that you don't need huge expensive gear to catch them, and they are fun to catch because they all fight like crazy! There is another fish that I have heard far too many people praise it for its flavor and that is the Burbot or Ling Cod freshwater fish, it looks scary, like a cross between and eel and a catfish but everyone who has ever eaten one says they are the most delicious fish they have ever eaten out of freshwater. I have not had the pleasure of trying these fish personally but those who have go out with the expressed intention to catch these elusive fish. There are lots of fish that are very good eating and like all things it also is highly dependent upon how the fish is prepared. Yes, freshwater fish is milder than saltwater fish, except for the Salmonids, but that doesn't mean they are any less delicious than saltwater fish. I would put my Favorite Arctic Char against any saltwater fish and still feel that it is one of the best tasting fish regularly available. Of course, some of these fish may not be available in American waters but most are, and they should not be overlooked. Plus, the fishing of these species is also a sport that many engage in at specific locations of North America that are world renowned for their quality and enjoyment. Locations that are far from any other human habitations or any other traces of humanity except the lodge built on the shore of the lake itself, deep into the wilderness of Canada's Boreal Forests where nature is so pristine and untouched that just being there is in and of itself a trip worthy of making and can only be accessed by float plane or helicopter (provided the helicopter has the range needed).

You can see them breathing, then you know where they are. Also - Yes they can swim backwards and are super fun fighters. Number of missed hooksets is also no surprise - their mouth is so hard. Great video! Caught once a 30 pound one on a light freshwater rod, was fun :D

Thank you. Im tired of yelling in the comments as a Floridian stop releasing invasive species back into the water ways ... its your civil duty to off that thing

Pretty much no fish is trash fish, if you prep and cook it right. Just takes a bit of experimentation to figure out what the ideal recipe is. Another good vid mate. Tight lines and keep it up!

So you have to fillet a knife 🔪 fish… with a spoon 🥄 😂😂😂😂😂❤

Freshwater fishing yesssss!!!

They are found in many ponds and lakes in South Florida. Not just Ida but Lake Osborne and the new man-made ponds and large canals. They were released into the wild by aquarium keepers. They were again accidently released in 1992 during Hurricane Andrew. Since then they have been released by irresponsible aquarium keepers and fishermen who transfer them around.

Haven't viewed, seems like a long while, but this was refreshing...and your Co-Cool was funny...

Bro not only can you fish, but you can cook also wow!

You have no idea how lucky you are to live where you live. Here in Indiana mostly all of the fish are small and there’s only a couple months out of the year when the fishing is even halfway decent.

couple of questions - I know you use Dexter Knives for filleting,, what do you prefer in the kitchen? and - have you ever done a catch/cook of an oyster toad fish?

I grew up in Lake City Fl. in the 60's and 70's had 2 tackle boxes one for Fresh Water and one for Salt Water

That top water snakehead actions looks awesome!

Mate, you need to do a Thai fish cake recipe. We do this with our Australian salmon (not a true salmon)/Kahawai. Have to bleed the fish and place in a saltwater ice slurry first. Make a spicy garlic, ginger, lemon, chilli, sweet, soy etc dipping sauce and serve with coconut chicken rice and a side salad or steamed green veggies or stir fried Chinese broccoli and Shiitake mushrooms in oyster sauce. Absolutely divine! 🤤😋☺️ Before anyone cracks the s***s, I am well aware of the difference of saltwater and freshwater fish

I fish in a country with no sea, we mainly eat fresh water fish, it's funny to see how people think it is not edible

You’re correct about us watching from up North…..single digits up here as we watch with jealousy! You guys always post the best vids though and we’ll be there next year …and we’re using your posts to map out our trip😎

I'm going ice fishing this Sunday hope the perch and walleye are biting. Great video keep them coming!!!

Oh well! Just another GREAT video! Keep it up fun to watch both the catching and the cooking!!!!

Hey Victor, what's the brand name of the garlic/chili crunch thing that you added to the mayo - I'm intrigued.

In South East Asia, we call the fish Belida.

I've had so many clown fish in just about all my 55 gallon tanks for many years and I really enjoyed sitting there staring at them swimming around for hours. But my biggest ones were only about 8 inches or so the most. But nothing like what you all are catching. They are Very Kool looking fish to watch and enjoy.

I wouldn't say just lake Ida. . ive caught them in Orlando and in Miami. I saw a small one today in a canal in miramar

Thanks Victor for putting out another bagger of a video bro!! I’ve been watching you and Brooke for a while and think you two are awesome!!! I’m now subscribed to both channels to get my fishing fix especially when I’m unable to hit the water myself!! Y’all take care oh and check out new country song “Me around you “ by James Harris featuring Matt Riner it’s really good

I love watching you fish, but I can't wait to get on some ice and do some fishing this weekend.

Removing of the skirts of these plastic frogs can increase in more hook-ups !

I think I’m going to try this with some crappie I have in the fridge.

Clown knife's bottom fin is like a ribbon that ripples... they can hover and swim backwards upside down (or face-down at an angle) with ease

To each their own. I love open water fishing but I love ice fishing even more. I wish I could do it 365 and feel bad that so few people ever get the opportunity. All the same, all love to you Floridians.

We eat small(8-10") knifefish fried crispy and covered in sour fruit sauce. Then just crunch em down.

You should take timeout to demonstrate what happens to someone wearing fishing waders, in a boat, accidentally falls into the water. How do you keep the waders from filling up with water without a cinch?

Caught my first snakehead here in MD last year. Blast to catch and delicious!

Basically you clean and cook a clown knife the same as a ladyfish

Spooning Clown knife fish meat is the same thing we do with awa (lady fish) & oio (bonefish) here in Hawaii

That is not true, I live in the Fort Lauderdale area and Clownknife are also down here. They are in several bodies of freshwater including sewers, canals, and the Evergaldes

3:17 LOL 😂

Those fish are expensive here in India but they good eating

There is no bad ingredient it only a good cook can make a delicious dish

You guys are awesome and real gentleman!

Clown Knifefishs are literally one of best tasting fish. Of course it’s not O-Toro, but still taste so amazing.

It’s January and they’re still throwing top water in south Florida… I’m jealous

sometimes i want to just chill and live, but i'm the protector of the emeralds and gems.

I just witnessed a SHARK fisherman freaking out over a rabbit

Glad to see the catch and cook. Always wondered how the table fare was on these guys BTW , I thought they were identified by the big red nose 🤣

As a SE Asian, I can confirm that scrapping the meat is the easiest and correct way to process this clown knife fish, after scrapping we mix the flesh with salt, pepper and the magic seasoning (MSG). The more you mix it the more chewy the meat is. Then you could dry them or put it in the soup…

I love how vic is ripped everytime before the meal XD

Wow.. that marulioides snake head on 1st catch is sure very tasty, with size that big, it sure have a lot of albumin, very healthy food for people after having a surgery 😊. The clown fish, we use them also as food source here, we use their meat as fried fish cake and also fish crackers, here in Indonesia, clown fish meat price is also expensive, as expensive as the snake head meat around 5$ / kg or more. For your easy cooking next time if you wanna make a fish cake, you can use spoon to scrape the meat directly from their skin after you cut them, instead of cutting them into loin first and minced them. That way you can get more lean minced like meat and avoid their little bones being into the fish cake. 😊

The recipe looks pretty solid. The only thing I would probably adjust right off the bat would be to just add a few thinly sliced Thai chilis and some Thai basil.

I really enjoy the video Victor!, 💙👍👊

Are we going to see a carp catch and cook this year??

Here at my place, those knife fish aka Chital fishes are popular in West Bengal,India. We people also make a fish cake kind of recipe called "Chital Muitha". and its tasty.

Used to love fishing for snakehead in Borneo. They turn up anywhere there is water. Even places that were grassy fields the day before

The snakehead is eaten in many Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. In these countries there are big and small versions of them, and the biggest are found in Thailand. The clown knifefish is found mostly in Thailand and is also eaten. If you are creative, there are a ton of ways to prepare for a delicious meals.

hi there ... this fish is good when u make a fish soup but need to freeze the fillet abit like 20 or 30 minute or so and use plastic spoon or ceramic spoon so the boon wont break... no need to skin out just fillet then scrap the meat out it easier this way ... make sure u guts it out first before freeze it

Hi Victor. Great video as usual. In Trinidad 🇹🇹 there is nothing as thrash fish. People have different preferences but here people eat what they can afford and as I said no fish go to waste or is considered thrash fish here.

Crown knife fish, in Singaporean cantonese, my dad called it tofu fish. Best fish cake fish to make vegi fish cake curry 🍛.

I swear the more I watch catch clean and cooks im gunna have to try fish again

First time you not using garlic powder.

Hi, Indonesian here. There's a really popular snack dish in my country that is made using that clown knifefish. You may want to check out "Pempek Palembang ikan belida" recipe or watch people make it on youtube. Pempek is the name of the fish cake, this dish is originally from the Palembang area (an area in Sumatra island in Indonesia), and "ikan belida" is the local name for the clown knifefish. It is very delicious!

never had clown fish, but my Vietnamese's girl friend make snake head fish and it was amazing, I was so surprised

Here in Brazil we have a freshwater fish VERY similar to the treadfin, it's called Lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus). We love spending the afternoon fishing for them in dams and rivers. We usually eat them fried , with a cold beer.

Just wanna say dope video and thank you! Get rid of every invasive species use extreme prejudice like Major Payne!

One of the only fish i still havent caught as a floridian.

Clown knife are also found in hawaii

I grew up in palm beach and Broward counties fishing as a kid and a lot of those fish weren’t yet populating the lakes and canals. Hope the native fish can survive cause those evasive fish are aggressive eaters like lion fish. Thx again for the content 👊🏽👍🏽

Did the fish do a 360 or a 180? A 360 is a complete circle, and a 180 is heaving in the exact opposite direction.

Looks delicious. Do any of those hair bones try to shed off when you scrape the meat away with the spoon? Any after scraping clean-up to check for bones necessary?

Love it Victor. I add Old Bay seasoning to my fish cakes for people who are allergic to shellfish. Taste like a crab cake.

I heard they can swim backwards that's why the fight is so strange. Most fish will try to turn and run where these are able to tug back different. Never caught one but might help explain the difference.

Knifefish are rad! I've got a black ghost knifefish in one of my aquariums. Knifefish of any kind can swim in any direction and orientation combo. It's incredible watching them eat and explore

This is a prized delicacy in Malaysia. Done steamed Chinese style. I need to reserve one from the restaurant way in advance . Super delicious!

Hawaii has clown knife as well on Oahu. A ton harder to catch.

Hey.. do you guys worry about Gators when youre taking the fish from the water like you do?? Its one of the reasons I dont freshwater fish..

Joy of Cooking has a recipe like this, Thai fish cakes. I use my food processor, throw in filets, egg, rest of the ingredients. Like the Bass-o-Matic.

Adding fake teeth to the thumbnail is pretty sad

Definitely looks delicious 👍

It’s less about folks releasing exotics from their aquarium down there as it is storms washing them from tropical fish farms across FL into the canal systems where the species settle into lakes that the canals feed into.

in Bangladesh we love these fishes snakehead is called "Shol" and the clownfish is called "Chitol" in here make curry out of them they are delicious