cleaning frozen fish?

[chevy hillbilly]

I dont ever remember having a problem years past, but this year, the frozen fish are giving me fits...
how do yall go about filleting you ice catch? using the elcetric knife im sure would make it easier, but dont really like diggin it out for 10-20 fish.

HB 8)

[Retired-UAW]

I put mine in a 5 gallon bucket,fill it with cold water for a couple hours. change the water just before I clean them. NO problem.

[fshnbudy01]

I see a lot of guys throw their catch on the ice and take home a bunch of fishsickles. I dont know how they do it either.  Maybe they have a set of ice carving tools at home.  Or maybe they warm em up under their arms on the way home.  Ya, thats how real men should do it. 

I always put water in my pail when Im on the lake and keep them thawed out so I can clean em easy when I get home. 

[Boomer]

I toss them in the sink and add some water. Eat dinner. Clean fish. Clean fish cleaning gear. Wash dishes. Go to bed.

[bret]

I try not to let them freeze!  My experience with frozen fish is when you can finally fillet them the meat is mushy.  Use a bucket filled with water or I have heard of an Ice Well.  http://todaystackle.com/icewell.html  I heard these are pretty nice.   8)

[camocrazy82]

I usually take home 5 or 6 at a time so when I get home I throw them in a bag and straight to the freezer. When I got a good mess I put them in cold water to thaw for awhile and don't have problem. I freeze them whole that way they dont get freezer burnt.

[gillhound]

I just drop my fish in my 5 gal. bucket they may get a little stiff but like he said before throw them in the sink add cold water eat dinner  get warm clean fish there are usually some fish that are revived by the time i start cleaning.

[wax_worm]

I try not to let them freeze!  My experience with frozen fish is when you can finally fillet them the meat is mushy.  Use a bucket filled with water or I have heard of an Ice Well.  http://todaystackle.com/icewell.html  I heard these are pretty nice.   8)

Bret, you are right...once they freeze and thaw, they are more mushy than if you keep them from freezing.  If you let them freeze, then thaw them to clean them, then freeze the fillets, and thaw them again later to eat them, you may as well be eating fish patties.  I don't throw mine in water like you, but I bag them and keep them in my shanty where it is warmer so they don't freeze.

[blueultra2]

I usually sit on a 5 gallon bucket that I have put a small trash bag in and run a bungee around the top to hold it.  Then I just throw my fish in there and it keeps them from freezing solid. 

[fishmedic]

Same as blueultra but with walmart bags.

[chevy hillbilly]

sounds like a plan, thanks fellas. I was not found of the freezing then thawing method. Maybe i'll just stuff them in my pockets

HB 8)

[Steuben1]

Bret, you are right...once they freeze and thaw, they are more mushy than if you keep them from freezing.  If you let them freeze, then thaw them to clean them, then freeze the fillets, and thaw them again later to eat them, you may as well be eating fish patties.  I don't throw mine in water like you, but I bag them and keep them in my shanty where it is warmer so they don't freeze.

Stuffing your fish in a plastic bag so they can't breath?  This must be the Italian way?   

[bryan62]

You could always just wait until Spring!!!

[Indiana Icefisher]

Brett, thanks for the link. That ice well is a cool idea. I'm just going to have to get one of those.

[redjones]

I use a small igloo cooler,even if im into them it holds more than enough for me to keep at one time.
Lots better than a plastic bag,and it cleans up pretty easy.

           Greg

[camocrazy82]

As if putting them on ice is better? Quick clean kill right? I may be mistaken but I think this was aimed at me. I need a bigger aquirium so I can haverest them when needed?