Accidentally left just cleaned crappie out overnight

[sconrad]

Got home after day on lake yesterday, cleaned a mess of crappie and bluegill, put them in a big glass bowl on counter in cold salt water and and covered bowl with ice. Normally I wait till Ice melts and then wash them off and freeze or put in fridge, last night I feel asleep on my chair and completely forgot about them. Woke up this morning and saw them sitting there, still covered in water that was probably 60 degrees, they smelt fine and felt fine as far as firmness goes, I went ahead and stuck in fridge. My question is has anyone ever done this before and should I just pitch fish? Most food sites say if it's been out for more than 2 hours at room temp you should pitch - wondering if it makes a difference with fresh caught meat? Thanks!

[broz]

fry them up

[PawPaw Gene]

Agree, 60 degrees is not room temp.
"gene"

[Yaker]

They are still good.

[armyman]

Ain't nuttin' wrong with 'em!

[Hammmerhead]

Sounds like a nice Brine to me. May be some of the best you've eaten.

[Redge]

Eat them!! I would.

[skeetbum]

They're terrible and nasty and a risk to all who live near them. I'll be right over to pick them up.




They just fine.

[huntinslabs]

Overnight in a brine will likely make them very salty tasting. I would imagine the meat is good. I left some in a brine overnight in fridge and used a seasoned fry mix and were too salty to eat. Use a plain mix to cook em if I were you.

[CootShooter]

Did the exact same thing last night. Put them in the fridge when I woke up this morning, and just made them for supper. They made for some excellent fish tacos.

I think as long as they are white and firm (read: not slimy and grey) they should be fine.