Keepah Gets A Freezer Pardon...

[Roccus7]

Over the years I've found that striper fillets have a limited shelf-life in the freezer. I don't like keeping them more than 2-months and for the first time in forever, I've got a 2 month inventory on hand. So this morning's 29" fish went back into the water with the 4 other sub-28" I caught this AM. Note to @george .

Nice morning out there, sure beats sitting at home reading the drivel in the newspapers and doing the crossword puzzles...

 

[longcast]

That one will come back bigger next time!

 

[Bachala]

If you have a frost free freezer any fillets will get the moisture sucked right out of them in no time. I bought a stand alone freezer that is not frost free and it makes a big difference in shelf life.

 

[Roccus7]

If you have a frost free freezer any fillets will get the moisture sucked right out of them in no time. I bought a stand alone freezer that is not frost free and it makes a big difference in shelf life.

I vacuum seal them so no issue on freezer burn...

 

[pequa1]

Is that more true of striper filets as we consume fluke or weaks 8 - 9 months later (vacuum sealed and not a frost free freezer) and they are still delicious? I only catch one or two stripers a year off the beach so not much experience and we usually eat half that night.

 

[Roccus7]

Is that more true of striper filets as we consume fluke or weaks 8 - 9 months later (vacuum sealed and not a frost free freezer) and they are still delicious? I only catch one or two stripers a year off the beach so not much experience and we usually eat half that night.

When I grill them, I leave the skin on so that means the oils are trapped, and the 2 month number is pretty good, maybe a bit conservative. When I freeze bass for tacos or wraps, I skin the fillets and cut out all the dark meat. This is goo for 5 or more months. Everything vacuumed sealed.

BTW, caught Keepah #12 today and with the heat, I was in no mood to fillet or cook it today, so another fish got a stay of execution...

 

[pequa1]

IIRC, u r having a much better year keeper wise (?). I know I am re weakfish

 

[Roccus7]

IIRC, u r having a much better year keeper wise (?). I know I am re weakfish

Absolutely, 12 caught to date, although I've been releasing them if they're not needed for dining or freezing...