Leftover mashed potato bait

[kais24]

I can't find bullheads anywhere to catch so I spend the money and use suckers. When I'm done fishing, if there's any leftover, I usually throw them in the freezer and thaw them out for the next time to use as cut bait. I've read in some places that you should let your cutbait be out in the sun for an afternoon or so and the cats love this. So I filleted my leftover suckers up and I tried leaving it out (in a ziplock) for the afternoon and yep, it stunk alright! When I went to actually put them on the hook, it was like putting mashed potatoes on the hook. I ended up throwing the whole batch out (donated to the catfish of the St. Croix.) What do you guys do with your leftover bait? Hints, suggestions please....

[nitefisher]

don't clean them cut in chunks or leave hole. ya they get pretty soft so leave the bones in so your hook has something to hold on to. or you could go to a fabrick store and buy some bridal vail. like the stuff on the brides head in a wedding. wrap in that and the vail will help hold on the hook.wear you from?

[kais24]

Thanks Nitefisher... I'm from Hugo. I also just got a catalog and saw some "safety pin" type hooks to hold on soft baits like chicken liver... Anyone else ever use these hooks?

[hanson]

My leftover bait gets placed in ziploc bags and thrown in the freezer. Frozen cutbait may not be the best but it will work and is nice to have at home iff'n you get the itch to go fish when you can't get to the baitshop.

One of these days, I'll get a Foodsaver vacuum packer and freeze my bait that way. Thats about as good as fresh in my opinion.

I keep my frozen bait frozen (on ice) until I use it. Cut it up into chunks at the river and they stay on the hook pretty good. The bait doesn't take too long to unthaw in the water and by the time it is falling off the hook, its time for fresh bait anyway.