Keeping frozen bait fresh

[thurps]

My tip for keeping frozen bait as fresh as possible. First, select the best anchovies, sardines, or herring you can find. Let them thaw enough to remove from the packaging without pulling the fins off. Put them in a jar of salt water with a few drops of laundry bluing in it. The salt water will keep them from getting mushy and the bluing will make them sparkle. You can preserve leftover live bait in this solution also without freezing or refrigerating. For longer storage, put in a pinch of Borax as an anti-bacteria agent.

Happy hooking, K.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Keeping frozen bait fresh

Thanks for the tip.

I take fresh caught mackerel or pogies leave them in salt water, add baking soda (helps keep the color and kills bacteria) stick a home made device with a length of 1/4" copper tubing that I attach to water hose, insert tube just inside anal and blow the guts out the mouth and freeze.

 

[noworries79]

Re: Keeping frozen bait fresh

Kosher salt and brine your bait. I agree with the baking soda too, especially when your wanting to keep the shine on your ballyhoo.

 

[DarkPaladin]

Re: Keeping frozen bait fresh

Toss some powdered milk in there to really firm up the meat. Makes herring much more durable.