Vacuum Packaging

[puckster_guy]

Cool idea with the packed bearings in that I never thought of that. It could save your bacon if you get stuck somewhere.

[SgtCrabby]

Rhybak: I hadn't thought of keeping the head on to use as a 'handle' when fileting them. Just might have to try that this year...

[Blubyu]

Blubyu here. Newbie to the Forum. Our group, (Old Farts), have been been vac packing our take home fish for 4 or 5 years now. You can buy the vac machine at your friendly Costco. Watch as occassionally you will find them on feature as well as the vac bags. Our fish are filleted, skin and tail on, head off, cleaned and placed in the proper sized bag. Package when finished is nice and flat. Easy to freeze. The total fillet is easily identified and easy to measure. We now vac pack only 1 fish per bag for easy count and identification.
Leaving Kipawa for home 3 years ago, we were met at the Kipawa docks by the two GO's. They asked to see our fish. When we showed them our catch, they were quite pleased with how the fish were filleted and vac packed.
I would recommend using a vac machine for any fish that you wish to transport home. No freezer burn. So nice to have a "taste of a Kipawa walleye"  a month or two after your trip.
Tight lines everyone.
Blubyu (Don)

[Oarin]

What size vacuum bags do you think work best with the new filleting regs?

[Blubyu]

When vac packing your take home fish, it is beast to use the open roll bags, where you cut the bag to proper size of fish you are packing and then seal one of the open ends. Then place the fillet into the bag. Take a piece of paper towel and just wipe over the opening removing any "moisture" before placing back into the vac machine and then sealing the bag.

[Oarin]

What size bag? 5', 8' or 11' wide??

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Oarin,

We have always bought the 8" X 20' FoodSaver rolls.  However, just in case, I always have an 11" X 16' FoodSaver roll with me in case someone wants to keep a big Northern or a big Lake Trout.
I too only vacuum seal one walleye per bag. 

Jay

[Oarin]

Thanks Jay, I'll bring both. 75 more days!! We'll be bringing Jim's son, Jeremiah, for his first trip to Kipawa. It's always fun to see the looks when a rookie 
sees the lake for the first time. Tell your crew I said hi. Gary.

[RHYBAK]

Thanks Jay, I'll bring both. 75 more days!! We'll be bringing Jim's son, Jeremiah, for his first trip to Kipawa. It's always fun to see the looks when a rookie 
sees the lake for the first time. Tell your crew I said hi. Gary.

Oarin
I don't know about the Costco in the U.S. but I find our Costco has be best deal on Sealer Bags.
four 11" rolls , two 8" rolls and a bunch of pre-made bags
Up here the bog is regular 39.99
I watch for when it goes on sale for 29.99 then stock up.
I tend to use the 8" .
One fish per bag or two smaller fish per bag.
You need at least 2 feet of bag per fish x 6 fish x the party group size.

[Oarin]

Thanks.

[RHYBAK]

Oarin

Costco U.S. does show the sealer bags as being on sale right now

[JigginFool]

FoodSaver also has a Buy One Get One going on, buy (6) 8"X20' rolls for $49.99, get one free and free shipping, and if you sign up for the email newsletter you normally get an additional 10% off.  http://www.foodsaver.com/food-storage-bags-and-containers/wild-game-vacuum-seal-bags-and-rolls/foodsaver-gamesaver--8-x-20-long-vacuum-seal-rolls-6-pack/FSGSBF0544-P00.html#start=1
You need to add (2) for quantity and the discount is then shown on the next page.

[Jay Thomas]

Yes, FoodSaver USA puts on some great sales from time to time. Maybe 6 weeks ago they had a tremendous sale on 8" X 20' rolls. I was going to have 20 rolls delivered to a relative's address in New York state. PROBLEM - they would not let me use my Canadian credit card to pay for the purchase. Colour me incensed!

Jay