fish scalers

[icefish1960]

Thinking of getting a electric fish scaler, looking at a Bear Paw or the 5 gallon bucket/drill option. Any suggestions or pros and cons for either one? Most times I am only cleaning ten to twenty at a time.Thanks

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

I have a Tumble Drum. I fill it with 3 gallons of water, throw in my fish, put my stuff away. After 20 minutes or so , the fish are ready. I like it.

[icefish1960]

Will that work with a small amount of fish? how is the clean up on it?

[DR.SPECKLER]

the bear paw works great but pretty hands on.the bucket drill scaler is alright but leaves some touch up on the scaling and beats the fish up.but that don't matter.the tumble drum drum scaler is nice to but too expensive for something I can do with a spoon.jmo.i made my own version with a pony keg,grill frame some pipe,garden hose and a electric motor.

[Joe in T.C.]

I second the drum scaler

Those things work great 

http://www.opencountrycampware.com/products/FISHING-EQUIPMENT/Tumble-Drumm-Automatic-Fish-Scaler/Tumble-Drumm-Sportsmans-Model/

[OTTOCAR]

Paint stir stick with bottle caps on....

[Mountain Maggot]

Paint stir stick with bottle caps on....

I like that idea.  Was scrambling to find galvanized claw yesterday without luck.  Now I have another reason to drink beer. 

[buuddy]

I haven't tried this myself but I know someone who uses a beater tine from a cake mixer. He chucks one into a cordless drill and says it works great.

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

Will that work with a small amount of fish? how is the clean up on it?

It will scale 1 fish, or 25. Take the drum out, dump the water out. Done. And yes, they cost some coin. Mine was a gift.

[MichiganMan]

I use the Drum, paid about $200 bucks for it 10 yrs ago. Worth every penny and have never regretted it. Throw 20 or 30 perch or gills in it, crack a beer and put the fishing gear away, and they're fin and scale free and ready to fillet in 15mins. I sometimes bag up the scales and save for chumming. I've even used mine to peel a few potatoes.

[perchnut]

So then your fillets are skin on?  Or do you just guy, wash, de head, and then fry up with bones.  Not trying to start a holy war here, just checking out other options. 

[maddogg]

So then your fillets are skin on?  Or do you just guy, wash, de head, and then fry up with bones.  Not trying to start a holy war here, just checking out other options.

Either way is good.

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

I use the Drum, paid about $200 bucks for it 10 yrs ago. Worth every penny and have never regretted it. Throw 20 or 30 perch or gills in it, crack a beer and put the fishing gear away, and they're fin and scale free and ready to fillet in 15mins. I sometimes bag up the scales and save for chumming. I've even used mine to peel a few potatoes.

CHUMMING! Great idea. Also potatoes. I am gonna get some brownie points the next time my honey needs a bunch peeled. A lot easier than the way we did it on K.P. duty.

[perch chacer]

Belly flaps and skin contain any contaminent the water may of had.  I just skin them all.

[icefish1960]

thanks for all the replies, not sure what route I will go. I just found a ez scaler for my for my MR Twister electric fillet knife. i'm gonna try that next