How to freeze fish in Islamorada

Rich M

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Messages
5,678
Location
Orlando
That really surprises me, you’d think people want to take their fish home. I guess not though.
We dont have the volume like you-all do w salmon and halibuts and cod.

If you got a swordfish, would be diff but we really dont get vast quantities where you get an appreciable amount of good fish to ship.

If you came in may, could get you tarpon and bonefish, maybe a couple mahi and tuna, some small snapper 12-20 inches, and a buzz at a really cool local bar watching the sun set.

It’s more like a vacation with some fishing.
 

Davyalabama

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 23, 2023
Messages
174
Just a question, have you priced shipping from Fedex, UPS and DHL, they want a kidney to ship something.

I think I caught you were going in February, you might hook into a big cobia or two, I think the limit is 1 per person 2 per boat, the water is just starting to heat, so could be good. They look like a big turd floating on the water.

Redfish, tuna, mahi, yellow tail snapper, grouper (I'm not a fan, too mushy for me). I know I'm different when it comes to grouper, but I'll take mahi or yellow tail snapper over that any day.

Frozen fish vs. fresh fish, hmmm --- you may want to just take it to different restaurants and let them prepare meals for y'all. Put it in some baggies, put a little ice and dry ice on it to keep it cool for a few days. You'd be surprised how much you have left. Oh yeah, have them cook extra for lunches, a good fish sandwich can't be beat during the day. Now, if you really tie into them like I hope you do, then, you may need that ice box the guy offered you.

Now, if you do the shipping of fish, just .02, you might as well grab you a few rock lobsters and a big bag of shrimp too. Have the shrimp flash frozen, this allows you to only have to thaw out how much you want not the whole bag. I'd do the oysters too, might as well go all in on it.
 

4Truck

FNG
Joined
Feb 10, 2024
Messages
26
Don’t want to derail the thread, but headed to Islamorada in July myself to fish. Any of you local guys have a line on decent charters that you trust? More interested in flats than offshore. Family of 5 that all have saltwater experience.
 
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Windigo

Windigo

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2018
Messages
191
Location
OR
Don’t want to derail the thread, but headed to Islamorada in July myself to fish. Any of you local guys have a line on decent charters that you trust? More interested in flats than offshore. Family of 5 that all have saltwater experience.
Lemme report back in a month; I booked a flats guide who moved down from NC 2 years ago, so he doesn't have 200 5 star reviews yet, but seems like he's got a decent operation based on our correspondence.
 

adieatrick

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Messages
109
Location
Omaha, Nebraska
When we went last year there was nowhere that would freeze and ship. We ended up buying a cooler from the home depot and cut rigid foam board to "double insulate" it. Think all 4 sides and top/bottom. We purchased dry ice from publix and froze everything 2 days prior to travel and kept it frozen. We used it as a checked bag and flew out with it. FYI - it needs to be completely frozen when checked at TSA. I took a roll of ductape and once inspected taped the cooler shut and threw away the rest of the tape. Worked great for us and when we got back home everything was still frozen solid.
 
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