Re: Freezing Minnows I freeze mine all the time We can’t use
live bait
so it’s the only way. I just put mine in a ziplock freezer bag squeeze all the air out make sure they are laying flat so they can be separated easily. I then wrap them in freezer paper.
Can you fish with frozen minnows?
We use frozen minnows year round I actually use those insulated bait pucks just to keep my minnows thawed out when I’m ice fishing, they will freeze on the ice otherwise. Cam do you notice any difference between salted and non salted minnows?.
How do you keep frozen minnows fresh?
Let the minnows drip dry in a bait net for a bit before bagging, and then pour in just enough vodka to cover them. Remove as much air from the Ziploc or freezer bag as possible. The bags should be stored upright in the freezer, and I find that keeping them in a small cardboard box really helps in this department.
Are dead minnows considered live bait?
Prohibited
bait fish
Since April 1, 2017, the use and possession of live bait fish, regardless of species, is prohibited throughout Québec, including during winter fishing periods. The possession and use of other freshwater fish species from Québec as (dead) bait fish is permitted where fishing is authorized.
How do you salt frozen minnows?
You want the minnow completely surrounded by salt and not pushed up to the sides of the container. Then you make sure there is a 1/4 inch layer of salt on top of the minnows and then add the next layer of minnows and keep repeating the process until your container is full of salt and minnows.
Can you use dead fish as bait?
Dead ballyhoo, menhaden, mullet and bonito, as well as strips and chunks of those baitfish, can at times actually be more effective than live bait A dead bait can be deployed exactly where and how it needs to be fished, whereas a live bait can swim out of the target zone or tangle another line.
Do salted minnows work?
Salted minnows work fantastic for Walleyes and Northern Pike The reason they go crazy is the salt!.
Where is the best place to hook a minnow?
If you intend to cast multiple times, the
best way
to hook the minnow is through its lips Start by hooking the lower lip and then the upper; the hook will be upright, and should allow the minnow to move normally. Another effective method is to hook through the minnow’s spine.
What is the best bait for ice fishing?
For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (
bee moth larva
), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigging also works with artificial ice fishing bait.
How do you thaw
frozen bait
?
Defrost frozen baits slowly to ensure they retain their firmness. The best method is to wrap your bait up in 3-4 sheets of newspaper and leave it out to defrost overnight.
Can you freeze shiners?
Re: Freezing Golden Shiners They will super cool and stiffen up a bit from the salt brine in about an hour or so. When you are ready to leave the location, drain the water and make sure the shiners are completely under the ice. When you get home, put them directly into freezer bags and and into your freezer.
Can you catch walleye on dead minnows?
Walleye will certainly eat dead bait especially if it is both fresh and is presented in a way that makes it appear alive. In fact, salted minnows and dead leeches are a very effective way to catch walleye.
What size hooks for ice fishing?
Small hooks in the size #8 to #14 range will serve well with small delicate baits like mousies and waxies. For minnows, start with hooks of size #4 and #2, adjusting with larger or smaller hooks to match the size of minnows you are using. Downsized jigs will be the lures of choice for the majority of your ice fishing.
Can chicken be used as fish bait?
Fast forward to today and chicken as bait is gaining in popularity. It has a proven track record and catches a lot more species of fish than just bream I know anglers across Australia that have caught everything from bream and Murray cod to coral trout and small crocodiles (really, but that’s another story!).
Can you fish with dead minnows?
Re: Re-using Dead Minnows They’ll hit anything dead or alive Especially if you’re jigging. I think they’ll hit a dead minnow before any of the plastics these guys do so well with. With tipups, dead bait is not going to be very effective unless it’s one of those days they’re hitting everything you throw.
Can I use goldfish as bait?
In most states it is illegal to use live goldfish as fishing bait in order to prevent the release of invasive species that can damage native ecosystems. However, there are some states that still allow the use of dead or living goldfish when fishing.
What kind of salt do you use for salt minnows?
use sea salt when salting your minnows. Works better the other types. Table salt has iodine which isn’t good for the flesh of the baits. And the packaged preserved baits us chemicals which may preserve the bait, gives it an and odor.
Is live or dead bait better?
One reason is a dead bait can be fished exactly where and how it needs to be fished, whereas a live bait can swim out of the target zone or get tangled with another line In addition, the scent of a fresh dead bait is often more attractive to predators than the nervousness of a live bait.
Is mullet a good bait?
Mullet are great bait , whether they are live, freshly dead, or frozen. The key to having a good day fishing with frozen mullet is to properly prepare them so that they are still fresh and have not gotten soft or rancid.
Can you catch fish with dead worms?
Yes, you can fish with nightcrawlers and other worms at night In fact, the scent that they produce is going to help certain species home in on them and bite them. The only thing to consider is what species you intend to target.
Can you use shrimp as bait in freshwater?
Freshwater shrimp can be just as effective a bait as minnows, crayfish, and even worms in some bodies of water Lively shrimp are a natural part of the food chain and panfish, trout, catfish, bullheads, and bass will devour a hapless shrimp it finds out in the open.
Can I use frozen shrimp for bait?
If you need a plan B, frozen shrimp make a great option They’re cheap, easy to use, and nearly always available, plus, fish love them! I recommend rigging them on a jig head with a flat bottom (like these Mission Fishin jig heads) and then retrieving them slowly across the bottom.
Citations
https://www.facebook.com/1803685433201824/posts/frozen-minnows-available-at-walkers-prices-vary-according-to-quantity-ordered-pl/2700900906813601/
https://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196868
https://harmonbrookfarm.com/enter-online-bait-shop/ols/products/sucker-minnows-frozen-5-7-6ct-trays-36ct