A Cajun in Louisiana taught me to use a stout bungee cord (old fasioned rubber kind). Hang the bungee from a large tree limb or side of a shack so the bottom hook is about eye level or just a bit higher. Hang the cat from the bottom jaw and proceed to skin like in other posts. The advantage to the bungee is that it helps with some momentum but you generally don't rip the fish off the hook. Also, you can freely turn the fish to gut it, if you choose to go that route. If you prefer to filet, you can take the fish down and lay it out on a table.

I agree, a sharp knife is a must. I've heard more severe cuts are made with a dull knife than sharp ones! If cleaning a bunch, we will sharpen knives during the process.


Shawn