To brine or not to brine

[abbyfireguy]

I've been getting conflicting thoughts with regards to brining...Quite a few fellows at Sooke looked at me weird when I asked if they brined their anchovies...Others said never fish without brining...
Oh well, what to do for the Bamfield trip,think I'll brine anyways, thats what most do so I'll go with the masses unless there are any other ideas...[?]

IAFF Local #18 (Vancouver Fire Rescue)

 

[mr killer]

I'd keep brining your bait will last longer and stay on the hook better, otherwise the stomach acids will blow your baits bellies pretty quickly

 

[Highliner]

Exactly killer. Brining will make the bait tougher and it will last way longer in the water. I like a wet brine.

Highliner

 

[scott craven]

also keeps the bait brighter and colder...
less belly burn

 

[Charlie]

After many years.... Brine!

 

[chromechaser]

So what's the best technique? I usually keep the anchovies frozen until first use and then just pour some coarse salt into the package once opened and keep cool on ice. After fishing, they go into the fridge for the next time out. As long as the trips are relatively close together this seems to work ok.

 

[scott craven]

I throw them in a tupperware container , cover them in coarse salt
add enough water to just cover them, and then put 'em in the freezer.
You'll be amazed at how long they last.

 

[islanderguy]

I'll have to agree with Craven. I use a small bucket (in the freezer) with a few inches of water with a cup or two of course salt. It stays ice cold but doesn't freeze due to the salt. Anchovies seem to stay firm and shiny. We caught 4 springs on these anchovies that were brining for a few weeks so the springs don't seem to mind! The money saved on bait can go in the gas tank instead

 

[chromechaser]

Thanks Craven and Islanderguy. I will try that for my next trip out...hopefully this weekend (provided the boat is running).

 

[Fjordshark]

so heading to bamfield on friday but i can't get my hands on any anchovies...anyone tried to brine up some herring and throwing them into the teaser heads?

 

[mr killer]

oh ya deadly, i've used needle fish too you wouldn't think they'd work but they looked great in the water and were nailing hog salmon, just the regular ry davis head I used fresh caught herring and they work great too. you'll do better with fresh bait from the area than with frozen anchovies, good luck

 

[Fjordshark]

hx mr killer...i will get some fresh ones when i get up there but i start before the store in bamfield opens so i will have to fish frozen herring the first morning.

 

[Highliner]

quote:Originally posted by Fjordshark

so heading to bamfield on friday but i can't get my hands on any anchovies...anyone tried to brine up some herring and throwing them into the teaser heads?

Rhys Davis does make teaser heads for whole herring too, just so you know.

Highliner

 

[Fjordshark]

thx highliner...i will report back come monday on my little herring experiment although i will not be too patient with the herring boys .... if they don't produce early friday morning i will go to town (bamfield) and get some chives