Recreational anglers all over the world ask whether they can bring their catch home with them. If you are traveling domestic, your catch can be brought home by following the restrictions set forth by your airline. Check with the airlines or with Fishing International before beginning travel. If you are traveling to foreign countries, check with your Fishing International agent for specific laws governing the country in question. By law, in most countries, all billfish are released. Smaller salt water game fish like, dorado, tuna, snappers can be kept for the kitchen or frozen for the trip home.
Before you bring your catch home:
- Check with the airline you are flying with for restrictions in checking frozen fish.
- Check with your fishing lodge for freezer capacity, and limits per angler.
- Bring or Buy a small cooler with you with a roll of duct tape.
- Make sure fish is solidly frozen before packing in to the cooler
After the fish is caught:
- Have your fish gutted and cleaned, many resorts will do this for you.
- Freeze the fish as quickly as possible.
- For larger fish, cut the fish into small sections (serving size portions recommended) that will fit into a gallon size freezer bag.
- Remove as much air from the freezer bags as possible before freezing.
Travel:
- Once the fish is frozen and placed in cooler, use duct tape to secure the cooler closed.
- Do not pack with ice, use dry ice or sealed blue ice packs if necessary.
- The fish should be packed securely with no movement of contents if handled roughly.
- When checking in at airline notify the agent that you are checking frozen foods.
- When you have arrived at home unpack into your home freezer as quickly as possible to prevent any thawing.