You don't have to fillet to eat any kind of fish, it just looks better. My parents just take the fish, gut it, put a little bit of olive oil in a large, flat pan, just enough to cover the bottom, then cut the fish in half. Just put it in, sprinkle some onions, celery, black pepper, spring onions, lemon juice if you like that tangy taste, then finally, some soy sauce, it tastes magnificent for such a simple recipe. If you like salty foods, just put the fish in some salt in a plastic bowl, put the lid on, shake the container, then add a little water. If you eat this with rice, man it is a good dish, chinese like it a lot, like me. My parents don't do anything with filleting knife (if that is how you spell it). All we chinese use to cook is 1 simple knife, and a pair of chopsticks. It is as easy as casting. Try it! You don't need some fancy smancy knife or spice to cook excellent fish. I can even do it myself! Us chinese do not deep fry freshwater fish.
Oh yeah, for the bones in shad... I'm used to eating the meat, swallowing the meat, and seperating the bones all in my mouth, just don't swallow any bones. That's the only way without trying to fillet it for me.