View Full Version : salted minnows
Timber
03-16-2002, 07:37 PM
I'm going to be fishing in Canada this Spring and have used leeches in the past, but have run into problems with the legality of "where bought", importing, etc. So am thinking about using salted minnows. If I use them for jigging, will they stay on the hook? Is there a "best" method of hooking them so they stay on? Are they effective, or should I think of something else?
Thanks!
Timber
03-16-2002, 07:37 PM
I'm going to be fishing in Canada this Spring and have used leeches in the past, but have run into problems with the legality of "where bought", importing, etc. So am thinking about using salted minnows. If I use them for jigging, will they stay on the hook? Is there a "best" method of hooking them so they stay on? Are they effective, or should I think of something else?
Thanks!
Chairman
03-16-2002, 07:57 PM
They should work good. You have to salt them while they are alive and do not freeze them, just keep them cool. Take what you will use for the day with you and place them in cool water. They will be pretty tough as long as you don't freeze them.
I take a small box or cooler, put a couple of pounds of salt in it and then shake as much water off the minnows as I can before putting them in the salt. Let it cover them and that is it.
I have kept minnows and smelt like this for up to 6 months.
Chairman
03-16-2002, 07:57 PM
They should work good. You have to salt them while they are alive and do not freeze them, just keep them cool. Take what you will use for the day with you and place them in cool water. They will be pretty tough as long as you don't freeze them.
I take a small box or cooler, put a couple of pounds of salt in it and then shake as much water off the minnows as I can before putting them in the salt. Let it cover them and that is it.
I have kept minnows and smelt like this for up to 6 months.
Jawjerker
03-16-2002, 08:30 PM
Contact Vados Bait in Spring Lake Park, MN @ 763-784-6728, they have a real good recipe for salting minnows that I have used many times for transporting minnows to Canada, LOW, in the fall. Salted minnows are almost as good as live minnows if the salting is done properly, not left in salt too long, doing so will make them very hard, dont let them touch as they will stick together,etc. Good luck........THINK SPRING
Jawjerker
03-16-2002, 08:30 PM
Contact Vados Bait in Spring Lake Park, MN @ 763-784-6728, they have a real good recipe for salting minnows that I have used many times for transporting minnows to Canada, LOW, in the fall. Salted minnows are almost as good as live minnows if the salting is done properly, not left in salt too long, doing so will make them very hard, dont let them touch as they will stick together,etc. Good luck........THINK SPRING
You can buy salted minnows in Canada and save yourself a lot of trouble AND they work real well.
You can buy salted minnows in Canada and save yourself a lot of trouble AND they work real well.
The ones I buy up here in Northern MN are always frozen, and don't seem to stick together. But sometimes they are "soft" and don't last.
The ones I buy up here in Northern MN are always frozen, and don't seem to stick together. But sometimes they are "soft" and don't last.
Bob2_mn
03-17-2002, 10:20 AM
We switched from salt to borax. Just throw a couple dozen minnows in a baggy, throw a couple tablespoons of borax over and freeze fast. By using borax they don't get mushy, when we thaw and use they are just about like fresh and will last all day.
Bob2_mn
03-17-2002, 10:20 AM
We switched from salt to borax. Just throw a couple dozen minnows in a baggy, throw a couple tablespoons of borax over and freeze fast. By using borax they don't get mushy, when we thaw and use they are just about like fresh and will last all day.
Mike(Co)
03-17-2002, 08:36 PM
Are there any other ways to preserve minnows? How about pickling? On the In-Fisherman I see them using minnows out of a bag of what looks like peat moss. I'm interested in this, lets hear if there are any other ideas, the Borax sounds interesting.
Mike
Mike(Co)
03-17-2002, 08:36 PM
Are there any other ways to preserve minnows? How about pickling? On the In-Fisherman I see them using minnows out of a bag of what looks like peat moss. I'm interested in this, lets hear if there are any other ideas, the Borax sounds interesting.
Mike
Lumpy
03-18-2002, 12:49 AM
Went to the red river last fall. The baitstore at the end of main sold me a small chip dip container of salted minnows. Well 3 12lbers and 2 13's and numerous 4-7's has me convinced that they do work. Give them a try you'll love them.
Lumpy
03-18-2002, 12:49 AM
Went to the red river last fall. The baitstore at the end of main sold me a small chip dip container of salted minnows. Well 3 12lbers and 2 13's and numerous 4-7's has me convinced that they do work. Give them a try you'll love them.
That fella that was fishing at the end of main on the Red River was fishing in the walleye hole of holes. Ten pounders and up are common there and salted minnows are the ticket. If you go to end of main have Brenda cook you breakfast. That will gurantee you a Hog Walleye.
That fella that was fishing at the end of main on the Red River was fishing in the walleye hole of holes. Ten pounders and up are common there and salted minnows are the ticket. If you go to end of main have Brenda cook you breakfast. That will gurantee you a Hog Walleye.
Backwater Eddy
03-18-2002, 05:08 PM
Great tips and food for thought.
You have me thinking about other baits and storage methods now Chairman. Certain baits we often use do not freeze well, turn mushy fast if frozen. The salting method may be just the ticket I am thinking?
Do you ever use rock salt for larger baits?
Thanks,
Backwater Eddy ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>
http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html
Backwater Eddy
03-18-2002, 05:08 PM
Great tips and food for thought.
You have me thinking about other baits and storage methods now Chairman. Certain baits we often use do not freeze well, turn mushy fast if frozen. The salting method may be just the ticket I am thinking?
Do you ever use rock salt for larger baits?
Thanks,
Backwater Eddy ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>
http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html
Lumpy
03-18-2002, 11:33 PM
Thanks Mike. Brenda did'nt cook me breakfast. She did make me a hamburger though. Very nice women. And your right it is Walleye heaven. I will definately be going back this fall.
John 3:16
Lumpy
03-18-2002, 11:33 PM
Thanks Mike. Brenda did'nt cook me breakfast. She did make me a hamburger though. Very nice women. And your right it is Walleye heaven. I will definately be going back this fall.
John 3:16