Minnow Heads

[walleyeslammer]

Just wondering what everyone thinks of this. When hole hopping, I sometimes pinch the heads off a dozen minnows or so and then throw them in a bait puck filled with water so I can just carry them in my pocket instead of carrying a minnow bucket. I have tried it a couple times and it seemed to work fine. Does anyone see any potential issues that I am missing?

[hamms-scooter]

Talked with Tony Roach one day at big c store and he does the same thing with the whole minnow. In bait puck with small amount of water and your off ice trolling away!

[OnAFly]

I've heard of guys keeping a few minnows in one of those bait pucks. They love it, no bucket to worry about, don't need live bait anyway.

[PerchJerker]

Same here, I keep a few minnows with me and pinch off the heads when needed. Bait pucks work great, so do the hard plastic cases that euros come in.

[hamms-scooter]

Any of you guys use the bigger bait puck? I just use the small ones.

[Ed Carlson]

I do a bait puck or two, a scoop of minnows, and a good generous dose of non-iodized salt (Solar Salt or Kosher Salt) and I'm good.

They keep for a long period too when kept in the cold. They do not freeze solid, just firm, and they keep there color and texture.

Spare bait in the puck, on hand and readily accessible. So when I'm ready to jig I'm good to go.

[TroutYammer]

I just put a few minnows in a ziplock bag and keep it in my pocket to keep 'em warm. Works great.

[Westsidefishing]

I do a bait puck or two, a scoop of minnows, and a good generous dose of non-iodized salt (Solar Salt or Kosher Salt) and I'm good.

They keep for a long period too when kept in the cold. They do not freeze solid, just firm, and they keep there color and texture.

Spare bait in the puck, on hand and readily accessible. So when I'm ready to jig I'm good to go.

Whats the Idea behind using salt Ed?

[Ed Carlson]

As a natural Preservative basically, and it keeps them from going south on you. I actually think the walleye like the salt personally.

[Westsidefishing]

Do you keep them wet or dry the minnows with salt on? Thanks for info.

[Ed Carlson]

Drain them off, salt well, and pack alive. The salt will draw out moisture from the bait. I feel pure fine "solar salt" is best.

The salt will toughen them up, and the color is kept vibrant, stops/hinders decay, especially when kept at or near freezing in storage.

The excess salt will wash off as soon as they hit the water in the ice hole.

[walleyeslammer]

Ed, so when you say store them how long are we talking? Do you keep them in the refrigerator or are you just talking about for the day? I have a bait fridge in the basement so I could do this in but I want to make sure I understand?

Here's something to throw into the mix? I have heard some guys say that garlic attracts fish. With that, would storing them with a little garlic salt be a possibility? I'm not even sure what I think of it, but it may work.

[OnAFly]

Then if they don't catch fish, you've got a nice little snack!

[Ed Carlson]

I salt them and once they cure up a bit, a couple days (2-3 max) in the bottom of the frig, and you will notice they are starting to pucker up and get a bit firm, then they go in the freezer in reserve.

If salted well they will not get completely hard/frozen, just firm. With the salt absorbed into the flesh the cells do not expand and explode from the freezing process as non salted minnows would, so they remain firm and colorful. I keep a salted bait stash on hand so I always have bait ready to go jig when I need.

Leftover live bait minnows/shiners, salt them and put in the freezer in reserve. Don't let them die in the pail and get funky and worthless before your next trip...salting totally eliminates that hassle. If you need new live kick'n minnows, just pick them up as needed on that trip.

Salt them alive and healthy, not already dead and starting the decay process. They will be in much better shape and appearance if you do.

Play with adding scents if you wish, go nuts, experimentation is always good. I have some scent options I use at times, but they are nice and "fishy smelling" on there own as is.

[theicehooker]

I think the salt deal is taking it a little far......your just hole hopping. Bring 6 or so with and if the fishing is really good then go reload. If the fishing sucks....throw them away!!!

[reinhard1]

and if all else fails try some gulp minnow heads. when the fish are active they work fine. i have caught walley and trout on them. good luck.