Golden shiners / Emerald shiners (Lake Erie debate)

[Sweed]

After reading the following posts I had to get my two cents worth in........
Emeralds and Goldens, Chubs and fatheads are all different bait fish.
Emarlds are harvested out of the wild and are therefore a natural bait and will undoubtedly produce better than the others.....
Goldens are mainly farm raised and therefore heartier and in the right locations are an excellent bait.
There are several types of chubs.... Creek chubs, Sucker chubs, red tail chubs just to name a few.
a Fathead is a minnow, usual black. A lot of these are farm raised, however a lot of the fatheads you see in Ohio are out of MN and are more wild, therefore less hearty.

Goldens and fatheads the same size can usually be used without much difference .

Why doesn't someone freeze the emeralds when the harvestors have a lot, and then the bait shop could offer these. I have used frozen emeralds many times in Canada and have had excellent success. The key imortancce is how they are handled prior to freezing. If you want to know more on how to freeze them to keep them looking alive e-mail me.

The flash of the emerald can not be duplicated with a golden, also the emerald is thiner and proportionately longer than a golden. Evidently to a perch these things are important.......

Anyone ever try Rosey Red fathead Minnows????


Good Luck to all and I don't the folks at hiway Bait, However I do appreciate his postings on the web. I live 480 miles west and enjoy fishing Lake erie a few times a year. I am one of those "jerk" tourists that spend money and pay tax in your part of the country. Anyway I enjoy hearing how the fish are biting when I am here at home..... Keep your hooks wet. Sweed

[Sweed]

This message is for JIMBO, I got your email and tried to reply, says server unknown. Try to contact me again and I will get you the info..... Sweed

[kurt karner]

would you please explain to me how to freeze the emerald shiners?

[markb(loser)]

i'm also interested in how you freeze
emerald shiners???

[JCarp]

Freezing instruction please.

I assure you the vast majority of us Ohioans welcome you and all other visitors to our state. (Except maybe when you snag all the best parking spaces at the boat ramps on S. Bass during May, LOL). We have plenty of fish to share.

Disclaimer - I do not derive any income from activities associated w/Erie, nor am I associated with anyone who does.

Folks towards the east end of the lake sometimes refer to using chubs for perch. I think that is what the other guy was referring to. Can't imagine it's creek chubs, guess it could be little ones, always thought it was some local slang for??? Any thoughts? Never think to ask at a baitshop.

Never seen Rosey Reds or redtails in Central OH or on North Coast. Heck, a lot of the time we are lucky to find anything besides bass and crappie fatheads (Erie-add shiners). Went in a WI baitshop once during ice and it was like a Variety Store specializing in minnows. You guys have it made!

[BMT]

I agree that there is no substitute for emerald shiners but when perch get in a frenzy they will eat almost anything. Ive put foil on a hook and caught them as well as keeping small white perch and cutting them and using them for bait.

[Ohio Sea Grant]

When bait stores along Lake Erie sell "chubs," they invariably are fathead minnows.

To freeze extra shiners, keep them as new and firm as possible, cover them with water, and freeze quickly. Since cells rupture when frozen, the thawed minnows will be rather soft, hence the need to freeze fresh minnows rather than those which have died and begun to decompose. Don't add salt - it only lowers the freezing point of the water. If you want to experiment with a salty taste, thaw and drain the frozen minnows first, then pack them in salt for several hours (they will shrivel).

The western Lake Erie office of Ohio Sea Grant (The Ohio State University) can be contacted at snyder.8@osu.edu

Tight Lines --

[JCarp]

Thanks Sea Grant! I had wondered about the chub deal for yrs.
Thinking froze minnows may be an option for ice fishing off S.Bass, major pain keeping them on multiple day trips.

[Sweed]

Thank You,
Thanks for your kind words, I really enjoy my time in your fine state especially the North Coast. Rest assured I will continue to visit and bring plenty of cash....lol.....Sweed

[Sweed]

Mr Sea Grant,

You are correct that freezing breaks down cells, however your method does not produce a very good result. The bait must be killed very quickly so it does not stress and change colors. You do need to apply the salt prior to freezing. This does lower the freezing temp., which aids in preserving the bait. email me if you want mor details.....Sweed
By the way do you have a name? and do you know the Sea Grant Boys in Wisconsin?

[dave]

I don't think you want to freeze minnows,they will thaw & be soft & mushy.I salt minnows in spring & they will last just about all year.You don't freeze them just put them in the fridge.Drain the water & add salt,mix the minnows & salt & that's it.Very simple.

[Wild Bill]

>I don't think you want to
>freeze minnows,they will thaw &
>be soft & mushy.I salt
>minnows in spring & they
>will last just about all
>year.You don't freeze them just
>put them in the fridge.Drain
>the water & add salt,mix
>the minnows & salt &
>that's it.Very simple.

[Wild Bill]

>I don't think you want to
>freeze minnows,they will thaw &
>be soft & mushy.I salt
>minnows in spring & they
>will last just about all
>year.You don't freeze them just
>put them in the fridge.Drain
>the water & add salt,mix
>the minnows & salt &
>that's it.Very simple.

[Wild Bill]

Drain water from a batch of fresh Emerald Shiners, then sprinkle corn meal on them.Then put them in a ziplock bag and freeze immediately.Works pretty well.

[Gary]

Would like your formula for freezing Emerald Shiners

Thanks
Regards
Gary

[JC Major]

I would like your trick on how to freeze shiner minows
Thank You
John

[Boatnut]

could you explain more about your reference to hiway bait?