Vacuum Packaging

[NortonJoe]

Now that we have to freeze Walleye flat so they can be measured and identified, I have been thinking about getting a vacuum packaging system.  Any suggestions out there?

[puckster_guy]

Funny you mentioned that Joe, I just got one for Christmas. I'm dying to check it out.  A Ziploc model v203. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet. Hopefully it's a good one.

[RHYBAK]

Joe
This is the one I have

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-GameSaver-Designed-Consecutive-GM710-000/dp/B016C4KJS0/ref=sr_1_12?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1485292844&sr=1-12&keywords=vacuum+sealer&refinements=p_89%3AFoodSaver

It A/C and D/C
I have not had any trouble with it in all the time I've had it.
Nice carrying handle.
You can even buy a nice travel bag for it on Amazon.

[Canuckbass]

They're making it so we don't want to take any home and enjoy more fish frys at camp.
With 8 or 10 guys at camp and slot limits we usually have enough for one big fry and a couple guys take limit home.
I've seen CO at Kipawa Public launch a few times last year.

[RHYBAK]

I didn't bother with the new cleaning method.
I gutted the fish leaving the head intact.
Then vacuum sealed them individually laid out nice and flat so they would be easy to measure if the CO ever came to inspect our catch.

No hassles .

[NortonJoe]

Thanks all and keep the suggestions coming.  As a side note, the COs came into our camp last year and inspected licenses, fish in the freezer and fish in the refrigerator.  They measured, counted etc.  Gave us a few "tips" on proper cleaning method, storage etc.  They were actually very professional and very friendly.  That is the first time I've run into any COs in well over 15 years on that lake (Lac Watson).

[Greg]

I agree with RHYBAK - I did the same thing last year - gut the fish and freeze it whole (head to tail-fin), I just put them in a zip log bag and do my best to take all the air out of the bag while I roll it up.

I wonder when the ministry will just move to this as the recommended transport method.

Greg

[SgtCrabby]

Last year we gutted and took the head off at the gill plate.

Being that's the front of the new-fangled wallet fillet, we were told its good so its measurable.

[Jay Thomas]

I'm another user of a FoodSaver - model V2840 to be exact (9 years old now). IMHO, vacuum sealing is the best way to transport walleye home and then keep them in the freezer. Commander Blugill introduced me to vacuum sealing with a FoodSaver in 2008 on a Kipawa trip. I purchased my own FoodSaver as soon as I returned home.

Jay

[RHYBAK]

Last year we gutted and took the head off at the gill plate.

Being that's the front of the new-fangled wallet fillet, we were told its good so its measurable.

That is true, but it is so much nicer having that head to hold on to when you thaw that fish at home and want to filet it.

[T-Bone]

You know...if you throw all the fish back you really don't have to worry about fillet regulations, vacuum sealing, guts and stuff....etc. Just sayin'.... 

I like the idea of getting a vacuum sealer for home, but sheesh...they seem expensive. Does anybody have any opinions about whether you 'save money' by not having to discard food that is spoiled, freezer burn, etc. That's at least how they position these things...that they 'pay for themselves' over time.

Throw'emback-Bone.

2.64 days until The Official Kipawa 2107 Countdown starts!!!

[NortonJoe]

@T-Bone, you throw yours back I'll keep some of mine... . Just rattling your chain...we also would like it for home as we tend to buy meat on sale and then want to freeze it.  Just think it may freeze better with a vacuum sealer.

[RHYBAK]

You know...if you throw all the fish back you really don't have to worry about fillet regulations, vacuum sealing, guts and stuff....etc. Just sayin'.... 

I like the idea of getting a vacuum sealer for home, but sheesh...they seem expensive. Does anybody have any opinions about whether you 'save money' by not having to discard food that is spoiled, freezer burn, etc. That's at least how they position these things...that they 'pay for themselves' over time.

Throw'emback-Bone.

2.64 days until The Official Kipawa 2107 Countdown starts!!!

In my opinion ( which isn't worth squat)

The vacuum sealer is great.
I just pulled a few speckled trout and Rainbow trout out of the freezer that were caught a year ago.
No freezer burn.
No ice crystal build up.
Just like caught fresh.

These vacuum Sealers really DO prevent your food from spoiling due to Freezer Burn.

[Oarin]

NJ, I've had one for years. It works great for freezing the walleye fillets and also for sale items at the grocery store. Often the "family" packs of meat are much cheaper. It's just my wife and I now so we vacuum seal what we don't eat. It keeps for a long time. If you have a freezer it's a wise choice. I also have a FoodSaver and would recommend it.

[JigginFool]

I wouldn't do without a vacuum sealer, we seal all our meet and fish.  I shot and processed 3 deer this year and every piece of meet is vacuum sealed just like every deer each year and I've had meet over 1 year old and it's like the day it was frozen.  I also use it for non food items too by vacuum sealing what I don't want to get wet, I've even pre-greased a spare set of bearings and seals for my trailer tires, put them in a package and vacuum sealed them and keep them in the boat.  I may not use them for years but they won't be rusty.