How to Gut a Butterfish

I was at a local fish monger today and I decided to pick up a few little butterfish that I have seen everywhere along the eastern seaboard. I told them I wanted them whole and not to fuck with my damn fish. The following is the conversation that transpired between me and the old dude in line next to me:

Old Dude - "You gonna gut that fish yourself son?"
Me - "Hell yeah."
Old Dude - "Why don't you want them to do it for you?"
Me - "Because I don't want them to fuck with my fish."
Old Dude - "You ever do it before?"
Me - "Uh, yes. The other day I butchered a bunny."
Old Dude - [raises brow] "Was it domesticated?"
Me - "Yeah, it was my daughter's pet but it pissed me off. Damn bunny."
[Fish monger hands me my shit]
Me - "Later Old Dude."
Old Dude - [silence]

Moral of the story: don't ask random people stupid ass questions.

Begin by scaling the fish. Mine were already scaled but if yours are not just take the backside of a knife move from tail to head in short 90 degree angle strokes. Do this on every square inch of the fish. Cut off the pectoral fins. Those are the ones on the side, dumbass.

The guts are all in the front of the fish and the anus is before the pelvic fin. I just lop off the pelvic fin, lay the fish on its side, insert the knife 1/4 inch before the anus, and slice that fucker up to its jaw as seen above. Don't start ripping shit out like a jackass. Take your index finger and thumb, and reach in to find where all the guts meet right before the head. Pinch that shit and rip it out in one fell swoop.

There will be some more shit attached to the backbone so reach in and rip that crap out too. There should be nothing remaining in the cavity.

Rip out the gills. Don't cut it. Use your hands like a goddamn man.

Waterboard the fish until it tells you the tastiest way to prepare it. It will think it can breath, but it can't since you ripped its gills out. They fold pretty quickly. Sissy ass fish. Don't eat it, yet.