Thread: Help with soaking fillets

I have never soaked crappie in anything nor any other fresh water fish. Salt water fish are a different story.

Same here,If I am going to freeze them I put fillets in bag while filleting them and fill with water and freeze.They hold their taste better.I do rince when thawed.

I have never soaked before freezing.Sorry cant answer question.Perch get eat quick around here!

Originally Posted by bmoffitt30

Someone had told me a long time ago to soak my fillets in salt water before freezing them. However, they seem to get very slimy before freezing them. Does soaking in salt water have any benefit over soaking in just plain water? Does the salt help pull any blood that soaked into the fillet?

soaking in salt water is to dissolve the blood. I've done both ways, and don't really notice a difference. I learned to soak them in saltwater, from my Grandmother ... and I think it was her dislike of "bloody" meat that prompted her to use this method.
The filets will tend to get a little "slimy", if left to soak very long. Rinse them good, before freezing, and that shouldn't affect their taste.
On the ones that I didn't soak, or the freshly caught/cleaned ones, and those with some blood remnants still in/on the meat ... (even after a rinse job) ... they did not taste any different than the soaked ones.

... cp

I soak mine in just plain ice water. Put the fillets in a bowl, cover with ice & a little water,place them in the refg- for a day or more Then change the water afew times as it draws the blood out, Works for me.....

I never had problems with crappie. However, big catfish or fish with a big blood vien running through it will taste fishy after being frozen. I cut as much as I can out, then soak the fillets in milk for a day or so, rinse and vac seal.

i always rinse with salty water and a cap full of lemon juice. then when ready to freeze i put a little salt and lemon juice in the bag also. it makes the fillets come out bleached white no blood stains. i really dont think it affects the taste. i just know my mom wont eat any if they have any blood stains on them. thats the only reason i do this. plain water should work just fine if a few blood stains doesnt bother anyone.

I don't soak crappie in salt water but I will cats / striper some times if fillets are real bloody. An older feller I know soaks all his flathead in vinegar & water before freezing as he & the boss lady can't have salt.