IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Maine => Ice Fishing Maine => Topic started by: Brookieslayer20 on Apr 15, 2018, 10:13 AM
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Hey guys, I’ve got a bunch of live smelts right now nd I’d like to pickle some for fishing at a later date. I bought some at a store one time that were pickled in a solution in a sealed bag that could be stored right on a shelf until opened and then could be stored in the fridge. Any advice or info is greatly appreciated, thanks!
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Here's some tips.
http://www.pautzke.com/learn-to-brine-strips-for-great-lakes-salmon/
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You can also just do them in salt to cure them. I think all the curing does is tighten them up.
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Some bait dealers north of Farmington were selling pickled smelts a few years ago. They smelled like they were preserved in a mix of formeldehyde and other noxious chemicals. I decided not to use them because I didn't want to poison any fish that I release.
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I brined, salted then froze mine using this method. http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/general/how_to_make_salted_minnows.htm
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I use a similar method of brining and salting bait. Adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the brine will help preserve the color.
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I use a similar method of brining and salting bait. Adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the brine will help preserve the color.
Yes, add the baking soda. I forgot that link didn’t mention the baking soda, but I add it to my brine solution based on other instructions.