Cleaning saltwater fish can be simple if a few steps are taken to prepare for the process. As with most seafood, saltwater fish are best when kept chilled from the moment they are caught until they are cooked.
In order to clean and fillet fish quickly, anglers need access to a clean work surface, plenty of fresh water, sharp knives, knife sharpeners, fish scalers, ice, packaging, and other materials.
After processing, fish fillets are usually stored in sealable bags or other containers and kept on ice. If they will be frozen immediately, vacuum bags will greatly extend their useful life.