Keeping cooler of ice/drain plug open or closed

[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.