Smoking Fish

[eyeguy 54]

do most of you use the water pan or not? I don't but wonder if I should once.

[toughguy]

I don't with Salmon. I've never smoked regular lake fish.

[thirdeye]

In the summertime I've used a water pan full of ice cubes in my Big Chief, with the fish above it. The ice adds moisture and cools the smoke. I generally will give my fillets a light spray of olive oil after about 3 hours. Not only does this shine-up the surface but it helps adds moistness. I always rest my fish overnight in the fridge following smoking to allow all of the moisture to equalize within the fillet.

[eyeguy 54]

caught some bass in a private lake that a friend wants to control a bit so I am smoking some to see how they are. I have smoked a lot of fish but never used water in the pan. I will try some ice cubes next time, thx for the tip. Gonna try a little maple syrup the last half hour on these also for fun. Really like that on tullees.

[eyeguy 54]

not bad but not close to tullees

[otterman91105]

I have smoked crappies tullibees and salmon and i use water with all of them. Never tried it without water.