When you're out on vacation and you catch a fish, it's important to know how to store and prepare it for the journey home. The best way to store fish is on ice, especially after it has been dressed. An insulated cooler is ideal for this, but make sure to leave the cooler's drain plug open so that the ice water can run out. Water can spoil the taste of the fish, so it's important to keep it dry.
Once the fish has been filleted, it should be frozen as soon as possible. If you're still at sea, keep the fish on ice until you reach dry land. When you get back to shore, use dry ice to freeze the fish. This will ensure that it doesn't thaw and that the container won't drip.
This is why airlines allow passengers to carry frozen fish in their baggage, sometimes even as hand luggage. The next step is to prepare the fish for cooking. This will depend on how you plan to cook it. Some people prefer to cut it into fillets, while others like steaks. You can also leave the fish whole, but make sure to remove the fins with scissors or a knife in order to avoid any sharp bones causing problems.
Once the fish is ready for cooking, you can store it in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to use it. A cooler can also keep fish fresh for a few days, as long as you replenish the ice regularly. Before you start dreaming of filling your freezer with tropical game fish, make sure that you know which species are protected and which are legal to eat. You should also limit the weight of the fish you're transporting and leave enough for TSA officials to identify the species. After washing the fish, wrap it in waxed paper, plastic or foil and place it in the refrigerator. If you don't have access to a company that can process your fish from start to finish and send it directly to your door, there are other ways of getting your catch home safely.
Immerse the fish in headwater again and massage along its spine in order to help the blood flow out of its body. However, not all fishing destinations have such a company nearby, so make sure to check in advance. Your fishing trip should be an enjoyable experience and you should be able to take home some of your catch without any problems. Make sure that you keep your fish alive or refrigerated with ice from when it's caught until you're ready to store it. If you don't know how to make fillets or have a guide who can do it for you, wrap up your catch in waxed paper or foil and place it in a cooler with plenty of ice.
