Pink Salmon, how to keep before smoking

[seagravedriver]

A couple of friends just limited out on Pinks in the Puyallup River near me.  They gave me about 6 or so fish to smoke.  This will be my first time.  My problem is I do 24 hours shifts, and I did a shift trade, so I will be gone 48 hours in a row, then off for 5 days.  how long can these keep?  They are on ice now.  Should I freeze them, leave them on ice, or what? I may try to take the smoker to work, but that is real iffy, I could be gone for hours on end. They were caught about 18 hours ago. 

[Keymaster]

Filet them if not already,  then foodsaver them and keep them as cold as possible right above freezing. They should be fine for a couple days. You can freeze them if your worried but then it a day defrosting. I,m on south hill puyallup. Are they still nice and silver on the outside?

[Kummok]

I regularly refrigerate salmon for up to 4-5 days (in the mid 30°Fs).

I keep them in a plastic tote, separating each "slab" from touching each other by placing multiple layers (2-3 sheet thickness) of paper towels between each layer.

It's quick/easy to do and I've never had any fish spoil as a result...and I go through a LOT of salmon up here.....

NOTE that this is for salmon only....cod is TOTALLY different and spoils pretty fast....

[seagravedriver]

Still very silver!   Lots going on, I am glad to hear they will keep.  I am going to run with Kummok's recipe. 

[Keymaster]

Still very silver!   Lots going on, I am glad to hear they will keep.  I am going to run with Kummok's recipe.

Very good choice you will not be disapointed ;D ;D ;D

[KyNola]

Still very silver!   Lots going on, I am glad to hear they will keep.  I am going to run with Kummok's recipe.

My friend KeyMaster got to you before I did.  Whatever Kummok says when it comes to salmon, run with it.  You can take it to the bank.