3 Tips for Keeping Your Caught Fish Fresh
Successful fishing requires a combination of the right gear and methods, then a time of trial and error out on the water. Don’t waste all your preparation and work just to let your catch spoil. Make the most of your harvest with these three tips for keeping your caught fish fresh.
Immediately Ice Fish
Putting your fish in ice will help preserve good flavor and prevent the flesh from changing texture. Put ice above, below, and around the fish to maximize the cold surface area. Crushed ice, rather than blocks, will increase the contact between the ice and fish and keep the fish cold more effectively.
Keep your cooler drain open to let the melting ice drain away. Letting the fish sit in water can damage the meat and make it mushy, throwing off the flavor and texture. Be sure to replenish the ice if the levels get low.
Clean the Fish ASAP
The next tip for keeping your fish fresh is to clean it as soon as possible. If you don’t bleed your fish enough or delay gutting it, blood clots can form in the meat.
Rinse the oil from the fish, pat the fish dry, and keep your knife clean between uses to prevent the spread of bacteria. Lay the fish on newspaper and have plenty of newspaper on hand to catch the refuse you’ll clean away.
After removing the scales, cut a V-shape incision into the fish’s belly, carefully avoiding piercing the intestines. Open the fish carcass and remove the entrails. Then, clean out the cavity.
If you want, remove the head by cutting behind the gills. Be sure to clean your cleaning area thoroughly and throw away the newspaper filled with guts, heads, and scales.
Vacuum Seal To Keep Fish Fresh Longer
Once you get home, you can place your fish in the fridge if you plan to cook it in one or two days. Put fish in an airtight container. Frozen raw fish is best eaten within three to six months. One of the best ways to package frozen fish is to vacuum seal it. The vacuum seal will prevent moisture loss and preserve the flavor and texture of the meat.
While a regular vacuum sealer might work, fish has a high water content that can make the process impossible or inefficient. But when you choose a vacuum sealer for fish, you won’t need to worry about the excess moisture. And depending on your device, you can even add a marinade which can improve the fish’s flavor and speed up meal prep when you decide to cook.
If you get a committed fish vacuum, you can also marinate your fish. This will make the fish taste better and aid in meal preparation.
