Fish scaler

[Jigster]

Any of you guys use an automatic fish scaler? If so do they work?

[DRPEPPER]

I don't know what you mean by automatic??

While cleaning out the garage a few months ago, I found my grandfather's skinner. I haven't seen any for sale in years. It clamps onto a peice after you remove the head, then roll it and it separates the hide (including scales) from the flesh.
I cleaned a few bream with it just for me. It took me back in time when I ate fish with my Pa.

DP

[crappielimits]

They Work Well On Panfish And Desliming Catfish. The Motor Speed Is Crucial And Do Not Put Over 50 Fish At The Time. 50 Bream Take About 4-5 Minutes.

[shipahoy41]

No....I just fillet the fish. It's a lot quicker.

[FishnLine]

The ones you pull behind a boat work really good too.

[FisherMike]

This my friend is the best I've ever used. Trust me,,, I've used about 90% of them at one time or another.
The thing I like most about it is. They work great for a bunch of fish or just a few. Thats without a lot of setup or time and are very easy to clean up.
I made a cradle so the whole thing lies horizontal. That way there is no bend to the cable and the motor has to work much less.

Old Ship is right about filleting them also.
There are just times I like my fish whole with the skin and bones intact.

I really would recommend this to everyone although they are a little pricey.

http://www.tackletogo.com/bearpawheavd.html

[crappiekid24]

I just fillet and skin them. Never had a problem.

[crappielimits]

If You Are Filleting Bream You Are Wasting Meat! Catfish Are Easier To Fillet When Deslimed. I Also Fillet And Skin Crappie, Trout, Bass, And Any Other Large Fish.

[skiptomylu]

I know they use to have them here on Toledo Bend a long time ago and they worked, but for some reason they just went away.

I fillet most everything I keep so I don't scale them any more and have not since about 1968 or so.

I figure the only ones I may scale is smaller Bream, not tiny, but not big enough to really fillet. Usually I will only keep them if they are bulls anyway and they I can fillet.

[eddiebhome]

A friend of mine was telling me he once saw a barrel type scaler used primarily for pan fish. He said they had caught a mess of bream, just tossed them in, turned it on and let them roll. A few minutes later all the scales had been removed. Can't imagine how it works, but it sounds great.