The fun thing about fishing is that, if state rules allow it, you can bring your catch home! You can have it displayed as “the big one,” or use it as delicious meat for dinner. So if you’ve caught good fish, you need to make sure that they stay fresh for the meantime until you get home.
But wait, what happens if you didn’t bring any ice to keep the fish fresh and tasting great once you’re home? Read on as I show you how to keep fish fresh without ice!
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How to Keep Fish Fresh Without Ice
Did you know that fish is one of the most perishable foods, decomposing faster than red meat or game? Furthermore, bacteria would grow and spread quicker on fresh fish, which is why you need to preserve it as much as you can while still out fishing!
That’s where ice comes along, keeping your fish fresh and in prime condition before cooking and consuming it. If you have no ice, then you can follow any of these methods:
1. Make Your Own Fish Cooler
This method is best for those on a long fishing trip, keeping fish edible for a few days without any ice or refrigeration. As long as you take care of the fish well after catching them, it can keep fish fresh for about three days. Simply follow these steps:
- Keep your fish alive until you can pack them, or at least keep it out of the sun as you continue fishing. Heat can deteriorate fish flesh immediately, and just one spoiled fish can ruin the rest of your catch!
- Ready the fish for packing by cleaning them. Cut from its vent to Gil junction, removing gills and entrails. Focus on removing blood from the spine area, as this is where fish spoil first. Do NOT scale or cut off its find or heads, which is what will keep your fish fresh.
- Place the fish in a pail of spring water or ice-cold pump, washing them well. Remove all slime or leftover blood from its spine.
- Have peat moss ready and soak it in fresh and cold water, squeezing it out. Spread about a four-inch layer of the moss in a paper box, tarp, carton, or a coat. Stuff the body cavities of each fish with handfuls of cold moss.
- Be sure topic the fish in layers, do not have them touch one another. Keep them all under shade.
2. Keeping Fish Alive
Besides making your own cooler to keep fish fresh for days, you can also opt to keep it alive. This is recommended if you’re just on a day trip and will be home soon to consume the fish. You’ll want them to be in the freshest condition possible, and keeping them alive for the meantime is the optimum way to go!
Here are some ways to keep the fish alive without ice:
- You can keep fish on a stringer underwater. However, this isn’t a totally foolproof method, and you’ll need to check on them every now and then. This isn’t recommended for those going surf fishing.
- Pack a basket or net made with wire mesh, which can keep catches alive. I recommend baskets which have self-closing mechanisms, since all you need to do is to attach a rope to the basket, then hang it underwater with the fish. Just be sure to give fish enough room to swim freely, and that your basket is submerged completely.
- If you can in your area, you can invest in a huge bucket that has a built-in aerator, also known as a live well. As long as there is enough space for the fish to move around, it can stay alive.
Be sure that once you’re home, you have to drain off all water then ice your fish immediately. If ever you doubt the fish’s freshness, it’s best to dispose of it or use it as a display instead to prevent any poisoning.
Read More: Can You Freeze Fish Whole Without Cleaning Them? Important Tips and Tricks
3. Corning
If the weather is warm and you can’t use a refrigerator or ice, then you can try corning fish. This can keep fish fresh and bacteria-free for up to 24 hours or so. It’s an effective method and quite popular with the sports fishermen.
However, you will need to have enough salt, which is about 6% of the fish’s entire body weight. To do this, simply follow these steps:
- Gut, bleed, then wash the fish appropriately. Make sure everything is cleaned and rinsed off properly.
- Apply the sand to the fish’s skin and belly cavity. You’ll need to do this as soon as possible, especially in warm weather. This is so that the salt can penetrate, which reduces the fish’s water content before its flesh will spoil.
- Place the fish in a container, then cover it with a damp cloth. Remove the fish to clean again once you’re home and ready to cook it.
Take note that if you want this method to work, you will need more salt than what’s palatable. That’s why if you plan to cook it, you’re best off using it as meat to salt sauces and stews. If not, soak the fish for a few hours before cooking to remove the extremely salty taste.
Do you want to learn more about how to keep fish fresh with ice this time? Check out this informative video:
Wrapping It Up
You wouldn’t want to let fish die on its own, you have to keep it fresh, and ice is the first method to use! If you don’t have ice, not to worry, as there are ways to keep fish alive without it. That way, you can enjoy delicious meat once you arrive home without the worry of it spoiling.
I hope that this article on how to keep fish fresh without ice helped you out. So don’t wait any longer and look into following any of these tips now.
