fish storage

What is the longest amount of time fish fillets will keep in water in frig. before they start to spoil?How long do most people keep fillets before either freezing or eating?thanks

I try to either eat or freeze fillets within 3 days, certainly not more than 4.

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What is the longest amount of time fish fillets will keep in water in frig. before they start to spoil?

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½…one hour tops. Seriously don’t soak fish in water if you are going to eat them within the next day or so. Clean them, wash them well and bag them. Try to squeeze off any water/air in the bag and zip it up. Do you ever see fresh fish soaking in water at the grocery store? Usually laying on ice.

If they are going right into the freezer I’ll put some water in the bag, not much and squeeze out the air. Jus t enough water to cover the filets.

-J.

I soak my fresh fish in water and some salt to draw out the blood. they turn nice and white and taste great. I’ve heard of soaking them in milk over night to take out the fishy taste, but have never done this myself.

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I soak my fresh fish in water and some salt to draw out the blood.

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I bleed out my fish in the livewell. No blood on the filet table, no blood in the filets. Rinse them well after cleaning. Done deal. I think soaked fish turn mushy pretty quick in the fridge…

btw, i’m talking walleye, perch and panfish.

-J.

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I’ve heard of soaking them in milk over night to take out the fishy taste.

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Old timers do this a lot. Tastes pretty good.

Jon how do you bleed you fish out in the live well?

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I think soaked fish turn mushy pretty quick in the fridge…

btw, i’m talking walleye, perch and panfish.

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You can firm up crappies filet’s this time of the year by soaking them in the sweet spot of the fridge a day or two. By the sweet spot I am talking that area on the bottom shelf that will create a skim of ice on the water.

For freezing I soak my fish in salt water then give them a good rinsing. I then pat them dry with a paper towel and use my vacuum sealer to seal them tight. I play a lot of catch and release and do not keep fish in the freezer for more than a couple months. I know they will last a lot longer but I like using them up as soon as possible. The bonus for me is I am on the water every week so there is no reason to keep very many fish in the freezer.

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Jon how do you bleed you fish out in the live well?

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I cut the gills just before going in and clean them or ice them immediately after getting off the water.

-J.

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Jon how do you bleed you fish out in the live well?

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I cut the gills just before going in and clean them or ice them immediately after getting off the water.

-J.

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Just snip them where they come together on the bottom side?

Man that would be nice not to have a bloody cleaning table

Yep. Just snip one or 2 gills on each side. Toss the fish back into the live well and turn on the pumps to exchange the water. No blood on the cleaning table and no blood in the filets.

-J.

If we are on a trip, we have left the fillets in a bowl of water for two days and have tasted no different. When times are tough and collecting for a big fry one night, we will freeze as Jon stated if it goes past two days. I really like using a vacuum sealer, especially when in Canada to keep the fish laying flat so they can identify them.

Thanks

Would we soak a T-bone steak in water for 2 days?