Adivse tonight please

[JOHNS]

New here,

me and my boy caught about 20 brim at Bisteaneau today.

Just got home and have them iced down in ice/water.

Is it o.k., if keep ice and water in cooler, to wait until the am to clean?

Pls. advise or should I freeze them.

Just too tired to clean tonight??

Thanks

JohnS

[Barnacle Bill]

That will work just fine. I rarely clean them the same day I catch them.

[jaxsprat]

Yep that will work fine,been doing that with my crappie as lake is a 2 hour drive each way. Actually have found its easier to fillet fish cause meat is firmer. not froze but mighty close to it.

[sac-a-lait]

i would drain the water out and then layer ice then fish then ice then fish then ice..

[Mo'nBack]

I always ice mine down real good and leave the drain open to let the water out. This is supposed to keep the bacteria from growing.

[FishnLine]

I always ice mine down good if I'm out night fishing and they are fine cleaned the next day.

[crappielimits]

I would leave the water! If not too much water add rock salt and it should freeze.

[JOHNS]

Last ?

Now am and getting ready to clean.

These brim are about 6-7", do I just gut them and behead and fry or is it possisible to filet.

Also they are pretty half frozen, can I thaw them or run warm water over them before cleaning as they are stiff and cold??

Dumb questions but I really don'r know.

Thanks

JOHNS

[turkeyfootnc]

When the fish are frozen, they are usually easier to clean or at least I can do better. As far as to gut them or fillet them, it's your call. They are harder to fillet at 6-7" but if you have a lot of experience filleting, then you should be OK. I rarely head/gut fish because most people I fry fish for don't like digging out bones. If you do head/gut them, make sure you get the scales off first.

[JOHNS]

When you say "head/gut, do you mean "remove" and if you do the bones remain correct??

JOHNS