I've been using the cheap 15$ rapala knife for a couple years and am ready to step it up because I plan on keeping many more fish this year. It will be mainly be used for crappie, sunfish, and pike. What is the best knife for under 50$?

If you don't mind electric I'd pick up a Mister Twister if you want a regular fillet knife get a Havalon.

I'd rather use a traditional knife so I can use it in the Boundary waters, and so I don't waste any meat on small panfish. I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the "Knives of Alaska" Steelhead knife

I've heard KOA knives are awesome knives. That should be a good one.

Electric. Have used the Mr Twister and Rapala, both work. Just don't get a cordless one.

You can get this in hi carbon with a wooden handle or the SaniSafe plastic one. There is no better knife for cleaning small fish, and they make others for larger ones. Its the one you see most in fish houses and head boats. 

 

http://fishboneknives.com/s133n-7-dexter-sani-safe-7-inch-narrow-fillet-knife/

I've been using the cheap 15$ rapala knife for a couple years and am ready to step it up because I plan on keeping many more fish this year. It will be mainly be used for crappie, sunfish, and pike. What is the best knife for under 50$?

Whats wrong with the Rapala? Even when I was on my anti-Rapala kick, I still used there knives. My hand powered one has cleaned more fish over the last five years than I can count, and after a couple swipes every few fish on the sharpener still cuts like new. My electric knife is only a year or two old, but it sure is nice. Since I bought that I usually fillet with the electric, and de-bone, and skin with the manual.

Whats wrong with the Rapala? Even when I was on my anti-Rapala kick, I still used there knives. My hand powered one has cleaned more fish over the last five years than I can count, and after a couple swipes every few fish on the sharpener still cuts like new. My electric knife is only a year or two old, but it sure is nice. Since I bought that I usually fillet with the electric, and de-bone, and skin with the manual.

I've never found a better knife than the old wood handled rapala - sharpens quick does the job -

You can get this in hi carbon with a wooden handle or the SaniSafe plastic one. There is no better knife for cleaning small fish, and they make others for larger ones. Its the one you see most in fish houses and head boats. 

 

http://fishboneknives.com/s133n-7-dexter-sani-safe-7-inch-narrow-fillet-knife/

I have 2 of these that I've been using on saltwater fish for years. I have the Sanisafe handles and they've held up great.

 

Dave