i would definitely freeze it first it kills the perasites that can be in the fish…its highly recommended when pickling fish to freeze them…I would think jerky would be the same.
I was out fishing monday and tuesday, in the bitter cold here locally. Had the auger in the back of the truck drove to lake put in sled hauled out on ice fired on second pull. Let it warm up for a few seconds and I was off and drilling. I just picked mine up at the ice show but I am nothing but happy with it so far.