Cooking fresh fish requires that you take certian steps for the best results. In order to maintain the delicate flavor of your newly caught freshwater or saltwater fish, it must be handled properly to avoid spoilage and preserve a pleasant odor. It is important to maintain the freshness of your catch so that you can prepare a sumptuous fish meal.
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1. As soon as the fish lands avoid any contact with hard surfaces to prevent bruising. It should be washed immediately by hose or bucket rinsing in order to remove the slime and possible bacteria that cause spoilage. Never use water from close proximity marinas, municipal or industrial discharges. To make sure, always use potable water instead.

2. Simply chill the fish to prevent deterioration in less than an hour. With a little advance planning, proper icing can be accomplished with the use of some relatively cheap equipment. Fish should be stored in coolers and should be well chilled. It should be 3" deep, thus, covering a pound of fish with pound of ice. Use chlorinated water per quart of water for the final rinsing.

3. Clean the fish as soon as possible. Their tissues are sterile but not their scales, which contains many types of bacteria.

When cleaning fish, avoid rough treatment because wounds in the flesh can allow the spread of bacteria. Gutting the fish does not have to be necessarily long. It is wise to cut the belly, as it leaves no blood or viscera in the body. Make sure not to soak clean fish fillets in freshwater for a prolonged time as this could reduce the meat texture and flavor.

4. The eating quality and nutritional value of fish can be maintained up to 5 days if properly cleaned. Washing of the hands before touching the fish is also important.

5. No matter what fish and the cooking technique used, one golden rule is to be followed always. Whether it is whole or not, cook exactly 10 minutes for every inch measured. 15 minutes should be allotted to fish enclosed in foil or sauce baked.

Double the time for frozen fish. Allow extra time if fish will be baked while packed in an aluminum foil and allow extra time for the penetration of the heat. That should be an additional 5 minutes for fresh fish and 10 for frozen.

In thawing frozen fish, slowly thaw in the fridge for 24 hours or let the wrapped fish be run under cold water not at room temperature. Do not thaw a fish that's frozen before cooking as it may make it mushy and dry.

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