Freezing smelt

[FROGGY]

I am planning on dipping for smelt for the first time when they arrive. Do you guys just freeze as is, or do you put salt on them, or what?
Thanks for any info.

[Fast Water]

Nope. No salt.

From the river to the vacuum packer as quick as you can. I put 2 dozen in a bag. I also sort male and female in some bags.


:smile:

[Fish Hawg]

There might be some helpfu info here smelt info

[Rakkasan]

River, net, bucket, home, quick rinse, pat dry, vacuum seal.

I cannot remember who posted it, but he said he puts them in freezer bags in water leaving 1/4 if air for expantion and freezes them that way.

I heard this a lonf time ago and it sounds good to me if you do not have a vacuum sealer.

[Uncle Bob]

Back when I fished :grin: :grin: :grin:


I would vac-pac them...
but first only seal one side of the bag
freeze them until firm and then seal the other side

If you vac-pac while non frozen, it sucks alot of the moisture out of them
Sealing them when frozen - just removing the air

[Smj]

I load gallon ziplock FREEZER BAGS (not storage bags)just a little less than half full of smelt, paying attention to filling the bag evenly across the bottom. Put just enough water in it to barely come to the top of the smelt, working out any air bubbles. Then, seal the bag all but a half inch or so. Holding the top of the bag ,push down a little untill the water starts to come to the top of the bag pushing the air out with it. Just as a tiny little bit of water comes through the unsealed part, close it. Fold the top of the bag over trying to keep most of the water out of the top. Lay the bags of smelt flap down in the freezer 'till frozen.

Once their frozen good you can stack them how you want.

It really helps if you have a deep freeze.

Smj

[Up-4-Air]

I use the one quart size freezer bag. First I snip off the tail with a pair of scissors. The tail isn't needed on the bait and they are easier to pack without it. Line them up carefully in the bag. Add a small amount of water and zip the bag almost shut. I get all the air out of the bag by holding it to my mouth and inhaling through my mouth. Zip the bag shut when the air is out of the bag. Yes, it taste great! Now lay the bags evenly in a 12 cup size tupperware container. Put the container into the freezer. Works great. :smile:

[zipper]

When the smelt are in the river, I go down to safeway (or albertson's) and buy 10# @ $1.99 a pound fresh (cheaper than driving up there and taking the time to dip - though not as much fun)bring 'em home, open a cold one and lay them flat on wax paper on a cookie sheet - open another cold one - make a couple stacks with wax paper between, - open another cold one - freeze 'em overnight then vacuum pack the next day. I don't rinse 'em - I like that slime and egg goo to get all over everything! I usually do that twice - then I'm set for the year! zip

[letsfish]

I heard this method using a half gallon milk container: cut top off the container(we are talking the waxed containers here, stuff with smelt, fill with enough water to cover fish. The result is a nice "brick-o-fish". It stores well.