Anyone know the exact dimensions of a flat of butterfish or Mackerel

[Fortunate One]

I need the typical box dimensions. Width x depth x thickness.

I'm building a custom bait freezer.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Sea Draggin]

Why not build it to hold a flat of mediums. A flat of butterfish is smaller, so it will fit also.

[John from Madison CT]

Mike: I'll measure it tomorrow for you. I have one in my freezer ready for our trip next week. BTW, designing a freezer to hold flats is a great idea.

[Fortunate One]

Thanks John,

Yep I guess we're waiting to see if it lays down. I'm ready to go.

If we don't go I'd appreciate it if you can get that size over to me. We're making a freezer that will be loaded from the front with the flats slid in on a diagonal and room for a couple of 5 gallon containers of bunker chum. So as you can imagine the space has to be configured just right.

I hope we get out. That water looks sweet.

[Seaker]

Just saw your post and will measure up my last one tonight it's for butters...BTW just and idea

I keep one flat of butters for hook baits everything else is precut while nearly frozen and put into heavy trash bags one flat per that way I can always shape the bags (pre-frozen) into the space available in the freezer before they turn rock hard..kind of like a stuffing a soft sided case until they take the final shape..

It also eliminates most knife play on board at night even with the two handed knifes it's still risky cutting up four to six flats for chunk

[The Dip]

I really like the idea. Its nice to have it customized. I always cut my bait before at the fillet table or on the ride out depending on the timing of the over nighter. That being said I think a flat of butters is 24x12x3, but keep in mind flats will vary with different company's. I know my butters are long and thin but my sardines are a bit thicker and more plump.

[John from Madison CT]

I'll have to agree about pre-cutting those Butterfish. Doing so on the ride out has some dangerous risks. If the seas are up it's really a challenge.

If I have time, myself and another crew member cut everything up at home. We can often put the chunks back into the boxes and re-freeze them.