Freezing mackerel ???

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#1 Post by **JOHN LYNCH** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:59 pm

I have my own commercial vacuum packer so I plan to vacuum pack a lot of bait down in the next few weeks. I am stuck for space so plan to fillet down the mackerel to save on space. Will the macko flesh stay in as good a condition as were I to freeze them down whole?? My own thoughts is possibly not..

#2 Post by **carp angler** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:10 pm

they will be as good as new as long as your not freezing and refreezing

do your cutting on the day tho

#3 Post by **contender** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:54 pm

Yes you can fillet them and then freeze, i buy some from the tackle shops like that. Also a friend of mine just cuts the head and tail off then freezes them, they are also fine. Myself on the other hand, i just stick 2 or 3 in a plastic bag and dump them in the freezer. Never had a problem with them.

#4 Post by **stevecrow74** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:32 pm

same as contender, i freeze them in packs of 2-3, but i also vacuum pack them whole, havent had a problem with space as i pack them head to tail i.e. the head of one fish beside the tail of another and i try keep then so they are not touching so they dont stick together when frozen, this also helps when storing them as they pack tighter with other packs when being frozen

also freezing them whole keeps all the blood in the fish.. more blood = more scent for fishin

#5 Post by **kinsebr** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:15 pm

stevecrow74 wrote:also freezing them whole keeps all the blood in the fish.. more blood = more scent for fishin

I agree, if it is possible at all, try to freeze them whole. I believe it makes a big difference keeping all the blood in the fish until you are ready to use it.

#6 Post by **roger de dodger** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:41 am

its well for yea fretting over room in the freezer could ya send some shoals up this way they seem to have forgotten where the east coast is if it dosnt pick up dennis is buying a trawler for bait catchin :lol: