CatDaddy my post on how I clean a pike is too long and I am sure hard to follow, and for some reason last night it changed from a normal paragraph format to an elongated spread out format, which makes it even more difficult to read. I will try to shorten, which is what I should have done to begin with. First, whatever method you choose, be sure to remove the Y-bones. Second, I believe everyone knows what a tail fillet looks like. At the thicker part of the tail fillet - not the end of the tail - on the other side of the lateral line from the Y-bones there are 7 or 8 straight bones that run down and along the lateral line for about 2 to 3 inches. These straight bones need to be removed, especially for pike over 3 pounds. Post #10 in this thread by sl1000794 is a good illustration - where the index finger is pointing is on the Y-bone side - just go over on the other side of the lateral line and in that area the 7 or 8 bones run down and along the lateral line in the direction of the end of the tail - remove them, or leave in and just be aware of them when you sit down to eat the tail section.