Preserving smelt

[weskeagclouser]

What do you guys use to preserve leftover smelt for trolling?

[seamonkey84]

I haven't tried it yet, but through my research I like this method without the optional blueing agent.
http://www.fishsniffer.com/tips/details/bait-brining-for-the-budget-conscious-angler/
Oh and
http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm

[GasBlaster]

Big Weenie Brand Brine "Edited" Version:https://youtu.be/l4pHvuNDJhI

[MG39]

Big Weenie Brand Brine "Edited" Version:

She goes with the brine.

https://youtu.be/l4pHvuNDJhI

[Slammin_Brookies!!]

I would also like a good recipe. I will be picking up about 200 live smelts this weekend that I plan on freezing. Thx

[MG39]

I'm going to try this method. Those shiners really look good.

http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm

[Slammin_Brookies!!]

I'm going to try this method. Those shiners really look good.

http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm

Can I buy canning salt at any grocery store.

[buddah]

Here's another one you can try........http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_brining_herring.html

[wiredstone]

Great tips 

[grgs]

Another way was to use Kosher salt, seemed to work ok.

[Tunker]

I used this method last year and it is very effective for smelt.  I checked them after an 1.5 hrs in the salt and that was plenty.  I let a few more go longer and they did become quite brittle and were very difficult to sew.  You definitely want to to test them at several intervals and I used a plastic shoebox as you use significantly less salt.  Vacuum pack them and then freeze and they last forever.

 

I'm going to try this method. Those shiners really look good.

http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm

[weskeagclouser]

I used the salt method yesterday, seemed to work really well. I had kosher salt, didn't seem to make much difference. I'll know how it went when I drag 'em around in a couple weeks.

[Slammin_Brookies!!]

Just did 260 with the recipe Bob posted. They look excellent. Be warned though when you follow directions it takes awhile. Started at 6pm finished final.batch at 2am. Thanks Bob.

[gradysjeep]

Just did 260 with the recipe Bob posted. They look excellent. Be warned though when you follow directions it takes awhile. Started at 6pm finished final.batch at 2am. Thanks Bob.

How long did you leave them in the salt?  I am doing some 4"-7" ones right now don't want them to brittle.

[Slammin_Brookies!!]

I separated them by size the ones 3-4" took about 3 hours...The ones 4-6" took about 4 hours. Make sure you let them Air dry. The first dozen I did I forgot to let air dry and the salt sacked up a lot of water  then the salt was too wet and sstopped pulling the water out.