Keeping cooler of ice/drain plug open or closed

[blondterror]

I have also heard that some people do not recommend washing fish fillets in fresh water before cooking it... I usually do to get all the congealed blood off and other bits...

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

Originally Posted by blondterror

I have also heard that some people do not recommend washing fish fillets in fresh water before cooking it... I usually do to get all the congealed blood off and other bits...

I always rinse off in cold
Water. Then pat dry with paper towels. Nice clean white slimeless fillets
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[FishermanTim]

Not wash them off with fresh water? What do these "experts" suggest you wash them off with, dirty laundry water?


As for the ice in the cooler, adding salt increases the salinity (du'h?) but lowers the waters freezing point.
That means that salt water will freeze at 24-26 degrees instead of 32 for fresh water, so you can have REALLY cold ice water in your cooler that can get colder than the ice in it.
They did a bit on this on Mythbusters.

I agree that ice alone or with SEALED containers: plug is in, let it remain.
Fish & ice: plug is out and let it drain!

[JackK]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Not wash them off with fresh water? What do these "experts" suggest you wash them off with, dirty laundry water?

Salt water

Boils down to osmosis- SW fish theoretically shouldn't be rinsed/submerged in FW because of the higher salt content in the cells. Fresh water rushes into the cells, causing them to burst, leading to a mushy layer. This can be minimized though by quickly drying them off (see: westportmafia).

I think it's overblown... Not like you're going to ruin it unless you let it sit in the water (so if you don't make a slurry, leave the drain open).

I personally don't rinse my fish at all- Table fish are bled right away, and any spots on the fillet I just use a paper towel or two to remove. Nothing to rinse off.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by WESTPORTMAFIA

I always rinse off in cold
Water. Then pat dry with paper towels. Nice clean white slimeless fillets
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I used to do that too, back in the old days when I could catch fish.