If you've been salmon fishing, don't throw away the eggs you find while cleaning the fish. In a few easy steps, you can use them to create your own bait. This guide on how to cure salmon eggs to use for bait will walk you through the process.
If you've been salmon fishing, don't throw away the eggs you find while cleaning the fish. In a few easy steps, you can use them to create your own bait. This guide on how to cure salmon eggs to use for bait will walk you through the process.
Introduction
Using you unwanted salmon eggs to make your own bait is a fairly quick and easy process. If you cure and then store the eggs properly, they will still be usable up to a year later. If you're not going to cure the eggs directly after catching the fish, be sure to keep the eggs refrigerated until you use them. For best results, cure your eggs no more than a day after catching the fish.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
To cure salmon eggs for use as bait, you will need:
Salmon eggs
Two bowls
A spoon
A disposable paint strainer
Paper towels
Salmon egg cure
Plastic bags or containers
Step 2: Cure the Eggs
(Creative Commons photo by denn)If there is any blood in the eggs, rinse them with river, ocean or distilled water
Place the eggs in a strainer over a bowl and allow them to sit until the excess fluid has drained away
Discard the excess fluid and place the eggs in a bowl
Sprinkle the appropriate amount of salmon cure on the eggs according to the directions included with the product
If necessary, stir the eggs to ensure that the cure is evenly distributed
Follow the product directions and allow the eggs to cure for a specified amount of time; you may have to refrigerate them during the curing process
Use the paint strainer to drain away the fluid that the curing process has removed from the eggs
Place the drained eggs on paper towels
Allow the eggs to dry for at least 10 minutes, or until they are firm and sticky
Using the spoon, distribute the desired amount of eggs into as may separate plastic bags or containers as desired
Store the eggs as soon as possible; they will stay fresh in the fridge for about a month and can be stored in the freezer for a year
Conclusion
Rather than buying your bait, why not make your own using the eggs from your freshly-caught salmon? For best results use fresh, clean eggs and store them directly after they have been cured.
