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Post by BLUE AGAVE on Apr 10, 2020 6:16:13 GMT -5
Hey Captains ~
I was going through Ice like ICE ICE ICE BABY!! About $40-45 a trip. 6-7 40lbs bags at a time. So, then I came up with an idea of getting a medium sized box freezer($250) and freeze cases of bottled water (3 for $10). I could fit and freeze about 4 1/2 cases of separated bottles at once. I found that I could load my coolers and then on load at the boat and leave coolers behind. I had a 2860 that I would fill each in floor fish box with about 2 cases of frozen bottles. What I found was at the end of the day I could wash them off and reuse them. I would lose a bottle or 2 from time to time due to cracking but in the long haul, I know I saved hundreds of dollars over the 3 years that I did this. I actually sold the freezer and the frozen bottles with my 2860 3 years ago.
Ingenuity at it's best!!
Tight Lines, Fair Winds & Following Seas!!
Blue Agave
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Post by popeye on Apr 10, 2020 16:40:40 GMT -5
I used to do this with gallon jugs and 2 liter bottles. I bought that stuff you mix with distilled water and make the gel out of it.
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Post by fishnfool on Apr 11, 2020 8:40:33 GMT -5
That is a good idea. I bought an ice machine a few years ago for the same reason. I can't store a lot of ice but if I had a back up freezer so that I could bag and freeze it that would be great.
I could see the frozen blocks of ice in a bottle lasting longer, the only issue I could see with it is cant make a salt slurry to immerse your catch in.
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Post by popeye on Apr 11, 2020 10:26:55 GMT -5
All I can say now is thank god for Buc-ee's... $1.50 for a 20# bag. 10 bucks gets me through most days.
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Post by daves236 on Apr 12, 2020 14:16:45 GMT -5
I made 3 wood molds, line with poly sheet, fill with water, 3 fills shelf in freezer, 2 days later, loosen screws in 1 corner box, pull out plastic with ice block inside, about 15lb block, store up 6-8 for trip, as soon as it starts to melt plastic comes loose. Much better heat transfer with plain ice in bit of water than thru plastic. Made several thousand lbs in past 12 years.
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Post by Ol Mucky on Apr 12, 2020 19:07:48 GMT -5
I made 3 wood molds, line with poly sheet, fill with water, 3 fills shelf in freezer, 2 days later, loosen screws in 1 corner box, pull out plastic with ice block inside, about 15lb block, store up 6-8 for trip, as soon as it starts to melt plastic comes loose. Much better heat transfer with plain ice in bit of water than thru plastic. Made several thousand lbs in past 12 years. Pics? I can’t process what it looks like
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Post by daves236 on Apr 12, 2020 20:19:32 GMT -5
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Post by outtadblue on Apr 13, 2020 10:16:53 GMT -5
I like that idea. I have been freezing gallon jugs but I’m not real happy with how they work.
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Post by daves236 on Apr 13, 2020 16:09:07 GMT -5
Strips of 3/4” square wood, sheet of 1/4 ply, build boxes with framing on outside. Roll of 4 mil builders poly for liners. Just loosen screws at one end to pop ice blocks out. The blocks are much easier to carry in the plastic. Blocks, gallon or so water makes nice chilling brine for your catch.. Mine are about 15 lbs, so 2x the size of gal jug, an once melting starts no insulating plastic to slow heat flow.
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Post by BLUE AGAVE on Apr 16, 2020 6:03:57 GMT -5
Strips of 3/4” square wood, sheet of 1/4 ply, build boxes with framing on outside. Roll of 4 mil builders poly for liners. Just loosen screws at one end to pop ice blocks out. The blocks are much easier to carry in the plastic. Blocks, gallon or so water makes nice chilling brine for your catch.. Mine are about 15 lbs, so 2x the size of gal jug, an once melting starts no insulating plastic to slow heat flow. DAVE236 ~ You are a fishing Machine!! NO DOUBT!!
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Post by Ol Mucky on Apr 16, 2020 10:35:45 GMT -5
Ah I get it now these are my ice blocks (AL roasting pans)
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Post by tiger on Apr 17, 2020 23:07:08 GMT -5
Oh I just STOLE this! I hope you don’t mind. Ah I get it now these are my ice blocks (AL roasting pans)
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Post by jski59 on Apr 18, 2020 7:33:00 GMT -5
So when using blocks are you guys adding saltwater to the fish boxes? If so, I suppose you add water when the first fish hits the box?
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Post by Ol Mucky on Apr 18, 2020 15:57:59 GMT -5
So when using blocks are you guys adding saltwater to the fish boxes? If so, I suppose you add water when the first fish hits the box? I will if needed. Yeah. Just a bit, surprisingly the fish temps will actually melt the blocks a little. Then we have a decent slurry
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