03-31-2007, 09:22 AM
[cool][#0000bf]DEFINITELY NOT LEGAL to transport live minnows. If caught with wriggling minnows you are subject to a fine. But, it is tough to whack each of the little buggers on the head before you bring them home.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]When minnowing, you can take some dry kosher or sea salt and pack the minnows between layers of the salt as you prepare them to take home. They don't last long in that stuff and it helps dry and toughen them for freezing. Fish like salt too.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Actually, if you just leave them in a cooler, on ice, they will also expire fairly quickly. Put them in plastic bags to reduce contact with ice and melt water. [/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]I package my minnows in either 6 packs or 10-12 packs. Then, depending on the trip, and what I am targeting, I will take as many packs as I anticipate using...some thawed and some frozen.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]If you freeze them in water or vacuum seal them, to eliminate air bubbles from the package...and if you freeze them quickly after capture...chubs hold up well for fishing. They are much tougher than redside shiners. I have never found a really good way to keep shiners so that they did not turn mushy when thawed. My chubs are often tough after being thawed (but cool) for a whole day.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]When minnowing, you can take some dry kosher or sea salt and pack the minnows between layers of the salt as you prepare them to take home. They don't last long in that stuff and it helps dry and toughen them for freezing. Fish like salt too.[/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]Actually, if you just leave them in a cooler, on ice, they will also expire fairly quickly. Put them in plastic bags to reduce contact with ice and melt water. [/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]I package my minnows in either 6 packs or 10-12 packs. Then, depending on the trip, and what I am targeting, I will take as many packs as I anticipate using...some thawed and some frozen.[/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]If you freeze them in water or vacuum seal them, to eliminate air bubbles from the package...and if you freeze them quickly after capture...chubs hold up well for fishing. They are much tougher than redside shiners. I have never found a really good way to keep shiners so that they did not turn mushy when thawed. My chubs are often tough after being thawed (but cool) for a whole day.[/#0000bf]
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