I like to soak them for 24 hours when using procure and let them reabsorb their juices. I leave them in the fridge so I don't have to turn them as much to keep them from drying out. I then dry them on paper bag or cardboard until tacky firm not hard. I place them in the ziplock plastic containers layering them in fisherman's borax, leaving no air, prior to freezing (prevents freezer burn). I prefer to leave the skiens in large portions and trim them to size on the water depending on the bite. HTH