Packing albacore for freezing

strk4 · Jul-09-2007, 12:41 PM

I finally found the time to get the boat out this Saturday (first time this year) and found a few albies between the 302 and 371. Albacore doesn't seem to have a very long freezer life for me. It seems I trim more and more the longer they have been frozen. I tried the vacuum pack thing and it takes way too long if you have more than just a few fish. And the machine keeps crapping out on me.

Anyone have an opinion on the best way to cut and package albacore for freezing?

Also, do you rinse in fresh water? Leave the skin on? Leave in the dark red?

Thanks for any replies.

faust858 · Jul-09-2007, 01:02 PM

How long of a freezer life did you get? Think we got about a 9month life out of the Albies I caught 2 years ago. But thats eating it as Sashimi. What I did was no rinse, pat dry, and seal. If your sealer keeps crapping on you, find a friend with one and borrow it. Will help the motor and give it time to cool between uses. But I have not sealed many fish, sure others will have a better idea.

**Marcus** · Jul-09-2007, 01:32 PM

Spend the money and get a good vacuum sealer. There is no other way to prolong the life of fish in the freezer than a good vacuum sealer. Do not rinse albacore (or any saltwater fish) in freshwater as it ruins the meat. I've had albacore, Yellow Fin Tuna, Yellowtail, dorado, etc. in the freezer for a year and it was still good. 9 months is about as long as I try to keep it though. If you can't eat it all in nine months you should be giving more away when it's fresh.

fishaholic 1 · Jul-09-2007, 01:46 PM

I agree with Chuam 100% good vacuum sealer , no freshwater

Kareem Korn · Jul-09-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic 1

I agree with Chuam 100% good vacuum sealer , no freshwater

I third that. You will love that machine as you do your boat...

mytimeout · Jul-09-2007, 03:27 PM

The one from Food Saver is pretty good. You can get one gallon or one quart bags to give you some options. I used is on a Thresher shark we caught a few years ago and have used it since in Yellow Fin Tuna, Dorado and Albies.

**Marcus** · Jul-09-2007, 04:07 PM

I have a Foodsaver, the Professional II Turbo. Two vacuum pumps so the pumps don't get overworked. Buy the best one you can find. If you don't vacuum seal that much fish you can get away with one of the mid-level ones. My old one (mid-level) lasted for about 3 years before giving up the ghost. It sealed hundreds of pounds of salmon, rockfish, halibut and albacore.

sasman · Jul-09-2007, 05:47 PM

Just get the fish as dry as possible before you seal in any way.

roxfisher · Jul-09-2007, 05:55 PM

Foodsaver for us too. Either leave full loin OR cut in serving sizes, WIPE, do not use water. Make sure it is good and dry then vacuum pack.
We get 1-2 years shelf life but we also have a non frost free freezer. If you have a frost free, the temp goes up to slightly defrost, BAD for fish. You want it frozen solid with no temperature fluxuations. This is just as important as vacuum sealing.

bigeye2k · Jul-09-2007, 06:43 PM

I use a food saver asap. The longer in the freezer the worse off the fillets are. I cut out all the red meat before vacuming. I pat dry and never use fresh water on the fish.

Double Z · Jul-09-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxfisher

Foodsaver for us too. Either leave full loin OR cut in serving sizes, WIPE, do not use water. Make sure it is good and dry then vacuum pack.
We get 1-2 years shelf life but we also have a non frost free freezer. If you have a frost free, the temp goes up to slightly defrost, BAD for fish. You want it frozen solid with no temperature fluxuations. This is just as important as vacuum sealing.

Yep, the freezer is very important. Frost free freezers cycle above freezing to stay "Frost Free." This cycles your food to thaw/freeze several times a month.

wils · Jul-09-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Z

Yep, the freezer is very important. Frost free freezers cycle above freezing to stay "Frost Free." This cycles your food to thaw/freeze several times a month.

Ditto on the freezer. $150-$160+/- at Home Depot.
In fact, get the freezer FIRST if you cant afford BOTH. pack the tuna in freezer ziplock bags via large pan/sink filled with water to make the air escape as you slowly sink it to the zip-lock part..