How to Scale a Whole Fish

How's it Done?
Basic preparations of fish and seafood after you've caught it.

Step by step guidelines on preparing fish and seafood

How to Scale a Whole Fish
Image below shows a whole fresh sardine being scaled.

By Renee Shelton

Place fish on a large, flat, clean surface.
Holding fish by the tail, rub a fish scaler or the back of a heavy knife from tail to head to remove scales. Use a smaller knife for smaller fish.
Repeat until fish is scaled. Scaler may need to be cleaned periodically.
Turn fish over and repeat for other side.
Rinse fish off to remove any loose scales clinging to body.

scaling a sardine scaling a fish

Renee Shelton is the owner of this site, runs the fishing chef blog, and is the Fishing Editor for the 2nd largest women's website on the internet, BellaOnline.com. Keep up with her at her blog Sand and Succotash. Her book Basic Fish Cooking Methods: A No Frills Guide for Preparing Fresh Fish is available on Amazon.

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Fishing 'How's It Done' created by Fishing & Food Editor, Renee Shelton.

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