Wow that's a little spooky I had a phone call tonight from a guy (Johnny) asking how to fillet a Johnny
true story!
It's been a while since I've caught a JD or a king for that matter but I'm planning a fishing trip out around Waiheke in a couple of weeks so if I catch some target species I'll give a how to vid a go.
As you say Ahab it is the ridge around the upper part of the JD that throws people but they usually fillet alright although the skinny part around the lateral line makes it seem like you've screwed it up but take it slowly and you'll be ok.
Kings are ok to do but skinning may present problems for some but the hardest fish to skin would be a trevally. I find a wider very sharp knife best but I have heard others say they prefer a knife thats a little less than sharp. I find a sawing action best for skinning but you have to be quite gentle doing this with a trev as the skin is so thin with very fine scales. Having said that, of all fish, trevally would have to be the easiest to fillet - just hardest to skin!
All fish benefit from a good chilling down for a few hours to set and firm the flesh before filleting.
Sounds fine to me Derrick, the time for a gurnard session is near....