A Simple Clean, Dry and Protect Routine for Fishing Knives
By Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products / Mary Joan Isorena, Communications
Published: September 30, 2026
Fishing and fillet knives work in demanding environments where water, fish residue, outdoor gear and repeated transport are part of the routine. A better between-trip system starts with cleaning and thoroughly drying each knife, checking the edge and protecting compatible blades before they go back into storage. Yellow Blade Guard™ provides a fully enclosed locking protector for compatible knives—and its bright color is one of several Blade Guard color options available from FLI Products.
For more knife-protection guides and storage resources, visit the
Key Takeaways
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Clean fishing and fillet knives according to the knife manufacturer's instructions after use and dry them completely before storage. Major fillet-knife manufacturers specifically emphasize cleaning, drying and dry storage. Rapala Blog
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Don't put a wet or dirty knife directly into long-term storage or into a Blade Guard.
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Individual blade protection helps separate a compatible cutting edge from surrounding equipment during storage and transport.
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Blade Guard™ uses a fully enclosed hinged polypropylene body with locking tabs and dual rubber stops. It is BPA-free, food-safe, dishwasher safe and Made in the USA.
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FLI Products offers Blade Guard in multiple colors. This article features Yellow, but color is an option—not a designation for fish, seafood or a particular food-safety category.
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Fit matters more than color. Choose a Blade Guard according to the individual knife's blade size and geometry.
What Happens to Your Fillet Knife After the Fish Are Cleaned?
For many anglers, considerable attention goes into choosing the right fishing equipment before leaving home.
Rods are organized. Tackle is sorted. Coolers are prepared. Fishing tools are packed.
But after the fish-cleaning station is cleaned up, what happens to the knife?
A fillet knife may have been exposed to moisture and food residue, and it still has to make the trip home before being stored until the next outing.
That makes after-use knife care part of preparing for your next fishing trip.
Rapala recommends washing and completely drying its birch-handled fillet knives immediately after use. BUBBA similarly recommends cleaning its knives with mild soap, drying them completely and keeping them in a dry place. Exact care instructions vary with blade and handle materials, so the manufacturer's instructions for your particular knife should always come first.
A practical routine is:
CLEAN → DRY → INSPECT → PROTECT → STORE
Here's how to approach each step.
1. Clean the Knife After Fish Preparation
Don't allow the end of the fishing trip to become the beginning of poor knife storage.
After fish preparation is complete, clean the knife according to its manufacturer's instructions.
That distinction matters because fillet knives aren't all constructed alike. Handles, blade steels, coatings and other materials can have different care requirements.
For example, Rapala advises hand washing its birch-handled Fish 'N Fillet knife and drying it completely immediately after use rather than repeatedly putting the wooden handle through a dishwasher. BUBBA recommends mild soap and complete drying for its high-carbon stainless-steel knives.
For an electric fillet knife, follow its specific instructions rather than treating it like a conventional fixed-blade knife. Rapala's R12 manual, for example, provides separate instructions for removing and washing its detachable blades and for long-term storage of the electric knife.
The rule is simple:
Know the knife you're cleaning and follow its manufacturer's care instructions.
2. Dry the Knife Completely Before Storage
Cleaning is only half of the job.
Drying matters too.
Even stainless steel is not immune to corrosion under every condition. BUBBA notes that stainless steel can rust if it is not properly cleaned and maintained and recommends completely drying its knives with a soft cloth before storage. Bubba
Rapala similarly recommends completely drying its birch-handled fillet knives immediately after use. For long-term storage of its R12 electric fillet knife, Rapala instructs users to remove debris and keep the equipment in a dry, moisture-free area.
That leads to an important Blade Guard rule:
Don't enclose a wet or dirty knife.
Blade Guard provides physical coverage around a compatible blade during storage or transport. It is not a substitute for cleaning and drying the knife first.
Clean it.
Dry it.
Then protect it.
3. Check the Knife Before Putting It Away
Between trips is also a good time to look at the knife rather than discovering a problem when the next fish is already on the cleaning table.
Check the knife for anything that needs attention according to its manufacturer's recommendations.
That may include:
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residue that wasn't completely removed;
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moisture;
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visible blade damage;
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changes in cutting performance;
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handle or hardware issues; or
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an edge that may need maintenance.
A fillet knife depends on controlled cutting through fish and around bones, skin and other structures. Rapala notes that regular sharpening is part of maintaining a fillet knife and discusses the problems associated with trying to work with a dull blade.
Blade protection and sharpening solve different problems.
A Blade Guard protects a compatible blade during storage and transport. It does not sharpen a dull knife or repair a damaged edge.
4. Protect the Blade Before It Goes Back Into Your Fishing Gear
Once the knife is clean and completely dry, think about what surrounds it during storage.
Fishing kits can contain pliers, tackle, tools, sharpening equipment and other hard objects. A loose, exposed knife blade doesn't need to be one of them.
This is where Blade Guard™ fits into the routine.
Blade Guard uses a fully enclosed hinged body that closes around a compatible knife blade. Secure locking tabs and dual rubber stops help retain the blade within the closed protector. Current Blade Guard products are made from BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene, are dishwasher safe and are Made in the USA.
The objective is straightforward:
Give the individual blade its own physical protective barrier before the knife is placed with the rest of the appropriate storage or transport system.
Blade Guard does not replace responsible knife handling, and a protected knife should still be stored appropriately.
Protect Your Fillet Knife Between Trips
Clean and completely dry your compatible knife first, then protect the blade before putting the knife back into storage.
Shop Blade Guard™ Knife Protectors
Why We're Featuring Yellow Blade Guard™ in This Guide
Blade Guard doesn't come in only one color.
The current broader FLI Products assortment includes:
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Transparent
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Grey
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Blue
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Khaki
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Yellow
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Black
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Red
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Orange/Neon Orange
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Green
Available selections can vary by size, configuration, retailer and current inventory, so check the individual product page for current options.
For this fishing and fillet-knife guide, we're featuring Yellow Blade Guard™.
Yellow provides a visually distinctive option for someone who wants that color in a fishing, camping or outdoor-prep kit. Customers can also select different available colors based on personal preference or use colors as a simple visual organization method within their own knife collection. FLI's current Blade Guard materials specifically identify color-coded organization by knife type or user as an option.
However, the color itself should not be confused with the product's protective function.
Yellow does not mean "fillet knife."
It is not an FLI designation for fish or seafood, and choosing Yellow does not establish a food-safety, allergen-control or cross-contamination program.
The same fundamental Blade Guard design is available in multiple colors.
Color helps you choose and organize. Proper fit protects the compatible blade.
Which Blade Guard Size Works for a Fillet Knife?
Fillet knives come in different lengths, widths, thicknesses and profiles.
That's why the number printed on a Blade Guard should be treated as a starting point—not proof that every knife with the same nominal blade length will fit.
The Blade Guard family includes 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-inch protectors, plus a four-piece set containing all four sizes. FLI identifies the 6-inch Blade Guard for applications including utility, boning and fillet knives, while longer Blade Guard sizes address longer knife applications.
Blade length is not the only consideration.
Before selecting a Blade Guard, consider the individual knife's:
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blade length;
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width;
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thickness;
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heel shape;
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curvature; and
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overall blade geometry.
A flexible fillet knife can have a very different profile from a chef's knife of a similar nominal length.
Do not force an incompatible knife into a Blade Guard simply because the stated lengths appear to match.
The protector should close properly around the individual blade.
A Fishing Knife Kit Is More Than a Knife
Organizing the complete kit makes it easier to prepare for the next trip.
Depending on how and where you fish, your fish-preparation equipment may include a fillet knife, sharpening equipment, pliers or other tools, towels, a suitable fish-cleaning surface and appropriate storage.
The knife deserves its own consideration within that system.
Instead of thinking:
"Everything fits in the bag, so it's ready."
Think:
"Is every sharp tool appropriately protected and organized?"
Blade Guard addresses the individual compatible knife blade. Your bag, case or other suitable storage system addresses the larger kit.
Those are complementary jobs.
Keep the Blade Guard Clean, Too
The knife isn't the only piece of equipment that should be maintained.
Blade Guard is made from BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene and is dishwasher safe, giving you a straightforward way to clean the protector itself.
Clean the Blade Guard as needed and allow it to dry before returning a clean, dry knife to it.
Avoid turning the protector into a place where moisture or food residue from the day's fish-cleaning work is simply carried into storage.
A clean knife belongs in a clean, dry protector.
What About Saltwater Fishing?
Saltwater makes a good cleaning and maintenance routine especially important, but the exact care requirements still depend on the knife.
Don't assume that "stainless" means a knife can be put away wet or left covered in residue.
BUBBA, for example, notes that its stainless-steel knives can still rust if they aren't properly cleaned and maintained and recommends complete drying and storage in a dry location.
After using a knife around saltwater, follow that knife manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions carefully.
Blade Guard should be added after the knife has been appropriately cleaned and thoroughly dried.
Don't Forget the Cutting Edge
Storage protection is important, but it can't compensate for a dull or damaged knife.
Filleting often requires controlled, precise cuts. If the knife isn't performing properly, inspect it and follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations.
Rapala recommends regular sharpening for its fillet knives and notes that a dull fillet knife can snag and lead a user to apply additional pressure.
The better approach is to treat edge maintenance and blade protection as two separate parts of the same routine:
Edge maintenance helps prepare the knife to cut.
Blade protection helps protect the compatible knife between uses.
Neither replaces the other.
Build a Repeatable Between-Trip Routine
Good gear organization works best when it becomes automatic.
After each fishing trip:
1. CLEAN
Clean the knife according to its manufacturer's instructions.
2. DRY
Thoroughly dry the blade, handle and other appropriate components.
3. INSPECT
Look for residue, damage or maintenance needs.
4. MAINTAIN
Sharpen or service the knife when appropriate, following manufacturer guidance.
5. PROTECT
Place the clean, dry compatible blade in an appropriately sized Blade Guard.
6. ORGANIZE
Return the protected knife to an appropriate dry storage system.
7. PREP FOR NEXT TIME
Before the next trip, inspect the knife and the rest of the fish-preparation kit again.
A few minutes at the end of one fishing trip can make preparing for the next one much simpler.
Yellow Blade Guard™: One Color, the Same Practical Purpose
Yellow is the visual focus of this guide, but it is part of a larger Blade Guard color assortment.
Whether you select Yellow, Black, Transparent, Grey, Blue, Khaki, Red, Orange or Green from currently available options, the purpose remains straightforward: provide individual protection around a compatible knife blade during appropriate storage and transport.
For an angler building a fishing-prep kit, Yellow Blade Guard™ offers a bright, distinctive option without changing the fundamentals:
Choose the right size. Confirm the fit. Clean and dry the knife. Protect the blade. Store the complete kit appropriately.
Explore Blade Guard™ Sizes & Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Blade Guard™ be used with a fillet knife?
Yes, provided the individual knife is compatible with the selected Blade Guard. FLI specifically identifies fillet knives among the applications for its 6-inch Blade Guard, and Blade Guard is positioned for fishing and boating applications. Knife geometry varies, however, so don't assume universal fit based only on nominal blade length.
Is Yellow Blade Guard specifically made for fishing knives?
No. Yellow is one of the available Blade Guard color options. It is not an FLI designation for fishing, seafood or a particular knife type. This article features Yellow because it provides a distinctive color choice for the fishing application.
What other Blade Guard colors are available?
The broader current FLI assortment includes Transparent, Grey, Blue, Khaki, Yellow, Black, Red, Orange/Neon Orange and Green. Availability can vary by product size, configuration, retailer and inventory.
Can I use different Blade Guard colors to organize my knives?
Yes. FLI identifies color-coded organization by knife type or user as an option. Any personal color system should be understood as an organizational choice rather than an official food-safety designation.
Should I put my fillet knife into Blade Guard while it is wet?
No. Clean and thoroughly dry the knife according to its manufacturer's instructions before storage. Fillet-knife manufacturers including Rapala and BUBBA specifically recommend complete drying as part of knife care.
Does Blade Guard prevent rust?
Blade Guard is a physical blade protector; it should not be treated as a rust-prevention system. Proper cleaning, drying and any other maintenance recommended by the knife manufacturer remain necessary.
Does Blade Guard sharpen a fillet knife?
No. Blade Guard does not sharpen a knife or repair an already damaged edge. Sharpening and blade protection serve different purposes.
Is Blade Guard dishwasher safe?
Yes. Current Blade Guard products are dishwasher safe. They are also made from BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene.
Is Blade Guard Made in the USA?
Yes. Blade Guard is Made in the USA. FLI identifies the product as manufactured in Rockfall, Connecticut.
What Blade Guard sizes are available?
Blade Guard is available in 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-inch sizes, as well as a four-piece set containing all four sizes.
Protect the Knife Before the Next Trip
A successful fishing day may end when the boat is back at the dock, but your equipment still needs attention.
For a fillet knife, that means following the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, thoroughly drying the knife, checking its condition and protecting the compatible blade before storage.
Yellow Blade Guard™ gives anglers a distinctive color option within the broader Blade Guard assortment while providing the same fundamental purpose: individual physical protection around a compatible knife blade between uses.
Take care of the knife after today's catch so it's ready when the next one comes in.
Shop Blade Guard™ Knife Protectors
About Kevin Cody
Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products
Kevin Cody is the Founder and CEO of FLI Products and a product development, merchandising and retail industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience. His background includes merchandising leadership at The Home Depot as well as developing, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and bringing consumer products to market through major retailers and online marketplaces.
Kevin works directly with manufacturers, inventors, retailers and consumers to develop practical products that solve everyday problems. His experience spans product design and development, retail merchandising, manufacturing, e-commerce, marketplace strategy and consumer product education.
Through the FLI Products Learning Center, Kevin shares practical, experience-based information designed to help consumers better understand products, solve problems and make informed purchasing decisions.
About FLI Products
FLI Products develops and markets practical consumer products designed to solve everyday problems at home, outdoors and on the job. Working directly with manufacturers, inventors and retailers, FLI Products focuses on thoughtful product design, practical functionality and useful solutions for consumers. Its products are available through FLIProducts.com and select major retailers and online marketplaces.
Sources & Resources
FLI Products — Blade Guard™ 6-Inch Locking Knife Blade Edge Protector
Product specifications, available colors and documented fillet-knife application.
Blade Guard 6-Inch
FLI Products — Blade Guard™ 4-Piece Locking Knife Protector Set Current size, construction, material, color and set information.
Blade Guard 4-Piece Set
FLI Products — Blade Guard™ Made in USA
FLI information about Blade Guard manufacturing, sizes and color options.
Blade Guard Made in USA
Rapala — Fillet Knife Care
Guidance covering hand washing, complete drying, sharpening and fillet-knife maintenance.
Rapala Fillet Knife Care
BUBBA — Recommended Maintenance
Manufacturer guidance covering cleaning, complete drying, dry storage and sharpening.
BUBBA Recommended Maintenance
Rapala — Fish 'n Fillet® Knives
Manufacturer information on fillet-knife blade sizes, construction, sheath storage and sharpening.
Rapala Fish 'n Fillet Knives
For more knife-protection guides and storage resources, visit the
