Preserving dead minnows

[Phone]

Cannibal,

 

Recommended by US Fish and Wildlife. (disclaimer, never done it myself)

 

•Mineral Oil

•Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (at least 70% solution, higher is better)

•Ethyl (drinking) alcohol (at least 70% solution or 140 proof, again higher is better)

 

Using one of the following ingredients has been shown to preserve bait, and follow the directions below.

 

Directions: Place the dead fish that are to be preserved (smelt, shiners, etc) in a sealable container (glass or plastic jar, plastic bag, etc). Scent, such as anise oil, garlic salt or commercial attractant can be added to the preservative to give bait added flavor and odor. Fill the container with the preservative until fish are covered. Seal the container for 14 days before use to minimize the threat of any possible VHS virus persisting in the bait. This preserved bait can be stored without refrigeration. Some color change is likely in minnows preserved using alcohol.

 

Phone

 

Edit: PS - they (minnows) can also be dried. Before drying expose minnows to 140 degree heat for 15 minutes to kill any possible VHS virus.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Phone

[Andy Macfarlane]

Using frozen deadbaits is pretty much as safe as it gets. I'm almost certain there hasn't been a single proven case of disease transference from frozen deadbaits.

 

Pikers use them every day.

[Nicepix]

Also surely they would have to be used on the same venue they were caught from to prevent possible spread of infection?

Matt

 

It's OK. I wash them first.

[Frogger]

Look at it this way.would you buy fish preserved in chemicals from the supermarket? Or would you buy freshly frozen fish to eat with your chips? I know which I would prefer and I think you'll find the fish the same

 

Frogger

[Andy Macfarlane]

It's OK. I wash them first.

 

I don't think it matters.

 

Using frozen deadbaits is pretty much as safe as it gets. I'm almost certain there hasn't been a single proven case of disease transference from frozen deadbaits.

 

Pikers use them every day.

 

I and just about every other piker, who catches their own bait, uses frozen fish on otherwaters all the time. Also, do you really think the bait suppliers who provide us with frozen baits, wash them first?

[wunnus]

You could try pickling them...

[Nicepix]

I don't think it matters.

 

 

 

I and just about every other piker, who catches their own bait, uses frozen fish on otherwaters all the time. Also, do you really think the bait suppliers who provide us with frozen baits, wash them first?

 

Andy, it was a joke.

 

[Phone]

Nicepix,

 

How silly, they'll get all wet!

 

Phone

[Ken L]

Pop them in a jar. Seal under vacuum. Irradiate to kill any bugs. Should keep for months.

It's probably easier to freeze them or catch fresh though.

[Vagabond]

There are lots of ways to preserve minnows. ...used by the following ancient anglers

 

John Bickerdyke advocated "Spirits of Wine" (that's just ethyl alcohol as strong as you can buy it - like vodka or aqua vite)

Drawback - expensive

 

Alexander Wanless used formalin (thats a solution of formaldehyde)

Drawback - taints bait, nasty stuff to splash in your eye, and is difficult to obtain as our nanny state considers it "dangerous".

 

Vagabond has used glycerine ( which is good, and can be used for larger baits such as bleak, gudgeon and small roach).

Drawback - expensive, but I used to use it when I worked in the pharmaceutical industry and got it cheaply. Like alcohol, it can be diluted with water, but again like alcohol, the stronger the better.

 

....and Salt - pack minnows in cooking salt. After 24 hours, remove, wipe dry, and repack in fresh salt.

Drawback, the minnows need soaking in water for a while before use - used straight on the hook they tend to be a bit brittle.(solution, see below)

 

Freezing - works OK, but...

Drawback - tend to be a bit brittle - but a bit of white elasticated cotton wound around the mounted bait helps (like sea-fishers use for peeler crab)

 

...or a rubber drop minnow or a Devon, or a Mepps No 1 will short circuit all that.

Edited November 5, 2011 by Vagabond