Has anyone tried this? How long will it last in the freezer?
This will be mostly crappie and bream filets. Just trying to save freezer space.
This will be mostly crappie and bream filets. Just trying to save freezer space.
Vacuum Sealing Fish
- Thread starter gasman
- Start date
Been doing it for 10 years or more. Never had freezer burn. Have had fish or deer for up to 2 years.
Lake Erie walleye
Ky deer
Lake Erie walleye
Ky deer
Smoke
Well-Known Member
Same here, doing it for years
Doing it probably 15-20 years with redfish & Seatrout. Buy my bags now off Amazon. I like to pat dry with paper towel to remove most of the water. I lay the filets out flat and not in a clump. Good for a year is as far as I have found them hiding in my freezer.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Trapper John
Well-Known Member
You'll probably eat through the supply long before the quality of the fish deteriorates. I found a four year old vacuum sealed pack of catfish filets hidden under a bunch of ground deer last year and it fried up fine.
Savage
Well-Known Member
Make sure the filets are dry. I also put a piece of paper towel in the bag at the top near the seal, so any moisture that I suck out of the bag with the machine is absorbed by it.
Not all bags are created equal. Spend a little more on quality ones. I like them because the filets will thaw in 45 minutes in cool water.
Not all bags are created equal. Spend a little more on quality ones. I like them because the filets will thaw in 45 minutes in cool water.
These tips will ensure a good seal and no freezer burn. I've had excellent results with the Cabela's brand bags from Bass Pro. Never tried budget bags. I will warn you, it's much more time consuming than freezing them in a ziploc in water. If you don't pat them fairly dry you won't get a good seal.
I don't know why you posted here instead of calling me. You know I'm your fishing hero and know all the tricks.
I flash freeze and then vacuum seal.
Savage
Well-Known Member
This would work as well…
Also- if you buy quality bags and are careful cutting them open, you can rinse them out and reuse them.
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
They'll last til you find em in the bottom of the freezer
Omega
Well-Known Member
How do you flash freeze them?
Oven pan with freezer paper. Lay fish scattered on top of slick side. Freeze just long enough to not have moister.
I didn't figure you caught enough fish to worry with asking you
Forvols
Well-Known Member
Put filets on some wax paper and cookie sheet or tray partially freeze uncovered then vac seal. Keeps liquid from fish from sucking up into the vac sealer. Or no freeze and put the paper towel at the top edge of the vac bag then vac seal. Ive done it both ways.
I just pat the fillets dry and vacuum seal them. They keep for a long time.
Omega
Well-Known Member
Ok, so regular a freeze. I consider flash freezing to be a different process, like liquid nitrogen, or those quick freeze appliances. But I get it, I do that with hamburger patties, I will partially freeze them and then vacuum seal them so they maintain their shape.
I used to use wax paper, but found out sometimes it would stick to the fillets. With freezer paper, not a problem once.
Those bags are a thicker mil than the ones you buy in a grocery store. Never an issue.
I either put water in freezer bag and freeze filets in a block of ice, OR I vacuum seal. Block of ice method will last at least a year, maybe more. Vacuum seal, done right lasts MUCH longer.
That said, about the only fish I keep these days are crappie or the occasional walleye. It is RARE that they'll remain in the freezer very long so it really doesn't matter much how I freeze them.
The only ones I'll ever vacuum seal might be a significant quantity of saltwater fish brought back from the Gulf that might end up being in the freezer up to two years. We actually ate some tuna not long ago that was from a trip LONG ago and I was shocked that it was still good.
