I gave one of my buddies a few of the fish Stucky and I caught at Benbrook Monday. He told me that he was too tired to clean them, and was gonna freeze them whole, and clean them right before he cooked them. He says they stay fresher that way rather than cleaning them before freezing. Does anybody else do this? Are there any issues that could be caused by leaving the guts in that long (especially during the thawing process)? It's been kinda bugging me since he said it, so I thought I'd run it by the experts.

They'll probably be fine.

At fish stores, you pay for the weight of the fish before it's gutted so I'm sure they are frozen whole.

How come Stucky didnt cleanum.You cant give away fish that aint cleaned.LOL Darrell

My paents used to have a house keeper and we would go catch her fish and she never wanted us to clean them. She said she liked leaving the guts in and then she would clean them right before she cooked them. She said they would stay fresher. I have never done it, but another person I talked to had tried it and they said it gave the fish and real fishy flavor.

Fish usually doesnt last long enough around me for it to become un-fresh.

Stucky doesn't clean fish Darrell. I think he makes Anthony do it. I suspect he's still got a freezer full from our trip with Chuck, as to why he didn't want to keep any. I'm not sure he's ready to fire up a fillet knife yet anyway. All 10 of his fingers would be cut up like Anthony's after fish #2!

Do not keep them with the guts.
Frozen or not you will be sick or worse.


Fecal Streptococci

Guilty... I am Sticky's fish cleaner.

You guys are letten him backslide send him down here me and Blake will learn him a thing or two .Ha Darrell

I agree... besides, that's just gross.

I agree Ms. Lady. I always wondered why he has a lazy eye, and a club foot... I thought he was just eating those Mountain Creek Crappie. Guess he's been freezing 'em whole too!

The funniest thing I ever saw (And C.V can be my witness) was Stucky, Anthony, and T Dub trying to fillet about a hundred big mad crappie that just came out of a basket in 50 degree water standing a foot apart using the same fillet board and 2 buzzing fillet knives going.

It's a miracle no one lost a finger or 9.

T. Dub,

I just keep them cold till I clean them which might be two days later either in the ice chest or refrigerator.

Of course I have a special fish fridge that is nice and stinky. Go with the cooler if you don't.

I always clean them before freezing them.

Let us know if your buddy survives.

I do remember that day very well Brian...
Can't wait for the colder weather.... Are you looking forward to it as much as I do?

Stucky is a trophy between 2 playmates. He cleans fish like a girlie man... therefore, shy away from exposing the girlie side... hahhahahah

The stomach and intestines are full of acid and bacteria that aid in the digestive process. I think the longer these stayed in the fish, the higher the chances would be of contaminating the meat.

@Brian - That was crazy! Still the best fishing day I have ever been a part of. Round 2 this winter?? I GOT CROWN!

@Wes - That's usually how I do it. I'm often too tired to clean them the same day. Plus they're a lot more 'cooperative' after they've been on ice for a day. And they don't flop around either!

@CV-If I got to stand between those 4 (2 per Bunny), I wouldn't care about being able to clean fish. That Stucky has led a charmed life.

What a day that was.

CV, I dream about it. Waking up while it's still dark at the lakehouse. Getting dressed in my warmest clothes. Head down to the dock. Get my rod in my hand and jig in the water. 6ft, 7ft, 8ft, WHAM!!!! Again over, and over, and over. About 7:30 CV call's. "How is the Crappie Extraction"? "You want some Donut"?

8:00 CV and partner in tow walk down the dock and we preceed to catch hundreds of fish, and great friendship.


Yes CV I CANT WAIT!!!

That was hilarious....

I hate you...

Remember my phone number when you head up there.

I used to do alot of ice fishin up north. If you put the slabs on ice pretty much after you land them, no problem for a couple of days before you clean um.

The enzymes in the fish intestines really dont work well when that cold, at least for 2-3 days. After that, can't say. Good lunck.

Lund17.5

I've done it without any complaints.