Thread: Crappie fillet storage..

Originally Posted by keeferfish

I don't' flash freeze mine but I do dry them off pretty well and have gotten pretty darn good at rolling up a paper towel or two the same width as the bag which goes right above the filets to catch the water it sucks out, Seals great.



Mine never leak, stay sealed. Water takes up to much room and takes too long to thaw out and not sure about the lasting part either. We've eaten two year old filets and cant tell the difference. I actually think the freezing in water method makes the filets more mushy. JMO



One more thing don't buy CHEAP Vac Seal Bags!

Even industrial grade vacuum seal bags leak , frozen water never leaks ….
5 years in the freezer, come out looking like I knifed em yesterday…..
Been there done that , not on purpose, just a lost bag at the bottom of our big freezer
Never had a “mushy” filet yet , take em out in the am , put in a bowl , ready in the pm …
Some sandwich size 4 filet bags defrost in an hour or so ….
The fail with the water method is often too many filets per bag and or too much water
My halibut often get air in the bags within months of getting home , just saying

use both vacuum bags and zip lock with small amount of water all good points, we do lay them flat on a cookie sheet then they stack much better

Originally Posted by keeferfish

I don't' flash freeze mine but I do dry them off pretty well and have gotten pretty darn good at rolling up a paper towel or two the same width as the bag which goes right above the filets to catch the water it sucks out, Seals great.



Mine never leak, stay sealed. Water takes up to much room and takes too long to thaw out and not sure about the lasting part either. We've eaten two year old filets and cant tell the difference. I actually think the freezing in water method makes the filets more mushy. JMO

One more thing don't buy CHEAP Vac Seal Bags!

I might have to try the paper towel idea next. Once I figured out that my vacuum sealer needs a longer run or an extra run for the first seal when cold (machine or bag), it actually seals great.

If you have a few bags to freeze at one time, cut the end of cardboard 12 pack of pop off , then place inside the quart bags. The the quart bags fit nice and when you freeze then upright in pack they are flat and square. You can even do one days catch and place another days on top to fill the carton. Tape the end mark what is in there. they then stack nice in the freezer

To get the air out without a vacuum place the fillets in a ziplock bag, fill the sink up with water and put the bag in leaving the top open. As you lower the bag the air is forced out. Then zip the bag shut and dry it off. You can them lay them flat, or shape as you want. This works with fillets in water or not. They will last longer if in water IMHO

Originally Posted by jjue1979

I might have to try the paper towel idea next. Once I figured out that my vacuum sealer needs a longer run or an extra run for the first seal when cold (machine or bag), it actually seals great.

I also seal the top twice, just let it self seal the first time then open, pull it down a quarter inch or so and seal again. Mine has a seal only feature.

Originally Posted by Ketchn

Even industrial grade vacuum seal bags leak , frozen water never leaks ….
5 years in the freezer,

So do you freeze everything else in water like steaks? I never see the frozen food section full of bags with water? Just Sayin......................

Should you freeze fresh caught fish in a Ziploc or put water in with it?

How to Properly Freeze Fish | MeatEater Wild Foods

Originally Posted by keeferfish

So do you freeze everything else in water like steaks? I never see the frozen food section full of bags with water? Just Sayin......................

Should you freeze fresh caught fish in a Ziploc or put water in with it?

How to Properly Freeze Fish | MeatEater Wild Foods

yep , we often freeze prime cuts of venison in water as well , keeps FOREVER just like new , whoever can write articles about how to on just about everything , just saying