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Here’s what we got for you today:

• So you just caught a fish and want to eat it… we rank the best ways to store your fish until it’s dinner time ❄️

• Find out what happens when a marlin jumps in your boat 🐟

• Santa has gone fishing around the world. Happy holidays! 🎄

• Scroll To The Bottom - we have an unreal referral program and offer rewards for ONLY 1 referral 💸

🎣 Fresh Catch, No Regrets: How to Store Your Fish Like a Pro

You’ve caught the fish—nice work! But the battle isn’t over yet. Keeping your catch fresh until it’s time to cook or clean is just as important as landing it. Whether you’re on a boat, fishing from shore, or paddling in a kayak, how you store your fish can make all the difference in flavor and quality. Let’s break down the best methods, ranked from top-notch to “better than nothing,” so your catch stays in tip-top shape.

1. In a Cooler with Ice (Best Option)

• Why: A cooler with ice provides consistent, cold temperatures to preserve the fish’s freshness and prevent spoilage. It’s the most reliable method, especially in warm weather or when fishing trips last several hours. Bleeding the fish before placing it in the cooler ensures better taste and quality.

• When to Use: Ideal for anglers planning to eat or process their catch later in the day.

2. In a Livewell

• Why: A livewell keeps the fish alive and stress-free in circulating, fresh water. It’s great for maintaining fish in their natural state until you decide to keep or release them. However, once a fish dies in the livewell, it can quickly start to spoil without proper cooling.

• When to Use: Perfect for boat anglers who have a livewell on board and want flexibility in their decision to keep or release.

3. On a Stringer (Worst Option)

• Why: While a stringer keeps fish alive in the water, it’s not as reliable as a livewell or cooler. Fish can die faster in warm, stagnant, or polluted water and are more susceptible to stress while on a stringer, which can cause them to release stress hormones that negatively impact their flavor. Additionally, handling fish on a stringer can sometimes damage their flesh, further affecting their quality.

• When to Use: A practical solution for shore or kayak anglers without access to a livewell or cooler, but less effective for long-term storage.

Final Thoughts

For maximum freshness and flavor, cooler with ice is the clear winner, especially if you bleed the fish. Livewells are excellent for temporary storage, but stringers should be a last resort for keeping fish fresh. Always prioritize methods that maintain cold temperatures and reduce stress on your catch! Check out the video below for some other great tips:

🎣 IN THE FIELD

• YouTube at its finest:

• Santa Claus at Cabela’s is built different. Would you take your kid?

• Apparently fisherman have figured out how to fly fish through the ice - we really thought we’ve seen it all. A fun read here…

AI CORNER

Every week we generate fishing related AI images. See the coolness/weirdness below:

💋 CHEF’S KISS - RECIPE OF THE WEEK

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is like Christmas Eve’s ultimate seafood party, cooked up by Italian-Americans who turned their old-school Catholic fasting into a delicious tradition. With seven (or sometimes way more) seafood dishes on the menu, it’s a flavorful nod to Italian roots and a festive way to celebrate the season: