HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 31

Thread: Freezing fish

  1. #1
    silverside's Avatar
    silverside is offline Crappie.com 2K Star General * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Pontiac, Illinois
    Posts
    2,454
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Freezing fish


    I have always used the "freeze them in a block of ice" method. Thinking about using the vacuum sealer this time. Any pros or cons?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    617
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have a vacuum sealer and I would rather have them frozen in ice personally. IMO no better way.
    Likes tcounty, hdhntr, chippewa LIKED above post
    Thanks silverside thanked you for this post

  3. #3
    NIMROD's Avatar
    NIMROD is offline Crappie.com Legend - Kids Corner Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Plainview, / Russellville , Arkansas
    Posts
    16,739
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I changed to a vacuum sealer this year . But works best if I drain fish well and them lay out an old towel covered with a couple layers of paper towels . Spread fish single layer and pat top dry with more paper . Sure beats worrying about leaky bags in the freezer and they take up less room . The fish seem to store just fine . They also thaw much quicker when frying times comes .
    Moderator of Beginners n Mentoring forum
    Takeum Jigs

    Likes BanjoPickinMinnow LIKED above post
    Thanks silverside thanked you for this post

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Ky
    Posts
    1,977
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If you have extra time to vacuum seal them it works but it's better than freezing in water. Only advantage is takes up less room in freezer but takes a lot more time to do it that way


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
    Likes footballcoach LIKED above post
    Thanks silverside thanked you for this post

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    9
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I personally like to seal mine. Removes the worry of water logging them when thawing and definitely saves space in the freezer. I'm also picky, literally, about my fillet's being "clean" and the prep for sealing them gives me the opportunity to make sure they're ready to cook when thawed.
    A few things I've learned when sealing: dry them without drying them out; this prevents a stinky mess with the sealer and as I said before, no worrying about water logging your slabs when thawing. Use the lightest seal or just enough to get all the air out without sucking the slabs dry.
    I do believe the storage life does take a hit, but I've only seen about a year and a half storage time. I've had a few fillet's come out overly soft, for lack of a better term. If I had more fishing time/fish I could test out different theories but I'm not that fortunate.
    Good luck with whichever you choose.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    mississippi
    Posts
    6,071
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My wife just freezes them in a block of ice. Been doing this for 40+ years works for us.
    Be safe and good luck fishing
    Thanks BigDawgg thanked you for this post

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Glencoe
    Posts
    221
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    One trick I use especially on ground meat when vacuum sealing, I buy gallon twist tie bags. i.e. not Ziploc Lightly pat fish dry and place in twist tie bag. Chase out air and make 1 fold. Put fold toward open end of vacuum bag. Chase out air and seal. This causes the moisture to go all the way around the bag and you are sealing by then. With ground meat I will roll it around in a strainer before doing this. (Usually deer)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    NW Missouri
    Posts
    51
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    water logging your slabs when thawing. have never heard of that? didn't even know that was a concern really. have been freezing in water since a glimmer in my grandaddys eye. have had some fish hold up well over 2 or 3 years and can't tell the difference. if air cant get to them they will hold for a long time. i put mine in a little bucket i got from caseys convienent store they get their icing in for their donuts. put the baggies with the fresh fish and water in them that way if the bags leak it doesn't get all over the freezer.
    Likes Redge, huskerwill, Hat55, DRFISHDUCK, hdhntr LIKED above post

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    MO
    Posts
    278
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Put however many I need for a mess in ziplok, fill with water. Hard to beat. I have used a sealer but didnt like it any better.
    Likes huskerwill, DRFISHDUCK, hdhntr LIKED above post

  10. #10
    silverside's Avatar
    silverside is offline Crappie.com 2K Star General * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Pontiac, Illinois
    Posts
    2,454
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I just found a tip from the FoodSaver site for freezing fish. Here it is:

    1. The Pre-Sealing Process Is Paramount
    As with most foods you preserve with the FoodSaverŪ System, the steps you take before freezing significantly affect the freshness of your catch. It's important to pre-freeze the fish first so that it retains its moisture, juices and form. Depending on how you plan on ultimately serving the fish, you can either freeze the catch whole or slice it into portions first. Either way, pre-freezing is essential. Keep your fish in the freezer for about one to two hours before preserving it with the FoodSaverŪ Food Preservation System.
    Likes icejohn, Badger, slimdaddy LIKED above post
    Thanks Eagle 1 thanked you for this post

Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP