How to freeze fish in Islamorada

[Windigo]

Booked a couple charters out of Islamorada FL and decided to start planning on success. Never flown to fish before.

Say we’re lucky and get a bunch of fish in the box. I can buy a cooler no problem and just check it with the airline to fly home. But how do I get a good freeze on the fish in a hotel room mini fridge?

Do hotels in the keys generally let you use their freezer like a game cooler? Do guides generally have a hookup, or am I gonna have to try and get the ice cream truck driver drunk enough to do me a favor?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Booked a couple charters out of Islamorada FL and decided to start planning on success. Never flown to fish before.

Say we’re lucky and get a bunch of fish in the box. I can buy a cooler no problem and just check it with the airline to fly home. But how do I get a good freeze on the fish in a hotel room mini fridge?

Do hotels in the keys generally let you use their freezer like a game cooler? Do guides generally have a hookup, or am I gonna have to try and get the ice cream truck driver drunk enough to do me a favor?

Dry ice is always an option but usually the guide can get a freeze on it for you. Depends on the hotel but some smaller ones with bars/restaurants attached would probably help you out as well.

 

[def90]

If you have already booked your charters I would call them and ask them..

 

[Rich M]

Yup. Ask the guide and the hotel.

Fwiw, it is not that common.

 

[Windigo]

Yup. Ask the guide and the hotel.

Fwiw, it is not that common.

Wouldn’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t work out. This is more of a trip with some fishing rather than a fishing trip.

 

[Windigo]

If you have already booked your charters I would call them and ask them..

My charter’s response on the phone was “no problem, do it all the time”, which is great, but it’d be nice to have a backup plan

 

[thinhorn_AK]

My charter’s response on the phone was “no problem, do it all the time”, which is great, but it’d be nice to have a backup plan

In AK they sell fish boxes which are styrofoam lined cardboard and they will deep freeze stuff and pack it in there.

I’d be shocked if a serious fishing destination like Islamorada didn’t have something similar.

 

[snowymtnwolf]

I fished there and crushed it on Grouper (just happened to be lucky that the season came in when we were there).

We were aboard the Floridian boat.

Also caught Barracuda (not good eating - too bony I think).

Call around to find a place that “flash freezes”. Shouldn’t be that hard. And they’ll know about the waxlined cardboard fish boxes.

Good luck - keep us posted with your haul.

I really wanted to hook into Tarpon but that didn’t happen. Big iguanas everywhere were a hoot too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Will_m]

There’s a couple fish freezing/shipping services down there. Should be able to google them up.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I always stayed in vacation rentals. I bring a vac sealer with me and then freeze in the freezer in the rental. I then pack it in a cooler and check it in a cooler for the ride home. It’s very cold in the cargo hold of an aircraft.

 

[Castronova]

If your guide will help you get the fish frozen I’ll bring you a box cooler. I have a big one I was just about to throw away that my swordfish baits came in. It’ll save you $50-100. Just check it with your luggage or go ship it home 2 day.

Let me know when you’re going. I build houses up there and go up there every week. If meeting up don’t work out I’ll leave it somewhere or take it to your guide to hold.
(I say up there because I’m in Key West)

 

[GSPHUNTER]

If you go the dry ice way, be sure to check with airlines, some have restriction on amount you can pack especially in doing any carry on.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I fished there and crushed it on Grouper (just happened to be lucky that the season came in when we were there).

We were aboard the Floridian boat.

Also caught Barracuda (not good eating - too bony I think).

Call around to find a place that “flash freezes”. Shouldn’t be that hard. And they’ll know about the waxlined cardboard fish boxes.

Good luck - keep us posted with your haul.

I really wanted to hook into Tarpon but that didn’t happen. Big iguanas everywhere were a hoot too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice haul! Barracuda is pretty good table fair, just has a higher risk of carrying cig so the risk/reward isn’t there for most people.

 

[Davyalabama]

If you have already booked your charters I would call them and ask them..

I always stayed in vacation rentals. I bring a vac sealer with me and then freeze in the freezer in the rental. I then pack it in a cooler and check it in a cooler for the ride home. It’s very cold in the cargo hold of an aircraft.

These two, plus the guy willing to give you a cooler, Castronova.

Pay attention to where you are staying and their amenities, do you have a full fridge in your room, plenty of room to freeze fish ---- check with condo/hotel/etc. on what they may offer for freezing if you don't have one in your room --- different airlines, different regs., ---- It isn't like you will be traveling for days on an airlines, if you can get the fish frozen, any good block ice/cooler will keep it for the few hours you will be in the air and getting home. ----- I really like the idea of grabbing a small vac sealer --

Also, don't forget, many rest. will cook your fish for you, yeah baby!!!!!

 

[Windigo]

If your guide will help you get the fish frozen I’ll bring you a box cooler. I have a big one I was just about to throw away that my swordfish baits came in. It’ll save you $50-100. Just check it with your luggage or go ship it home 2 day.

Let me know when you’re going. I build houses up there and go up there every week. If meeting up don’t work out I’ll leave it somewhere or take it to your guide to hold.
(I say up there because I’m in Key West)

Oh man, that would be awesome. Should be fishing 2/12-13, leaving shortly after