Salt or Alcohol To Preserve Minnows?

[Moldman]

What do you all do to preserve your left over emerald shiners after a perch trip, do you salt or use alcohol? What works best? Any help is deeply appreciated.

[Capt Juls]

I've been using Wintergreen Rubbing alcohol (.88 cents at Walmart) for years now. I learned this from other Capt's. I find salted minnows to be too mushy. The alcohol keeps them firm and their scales on.

When I first heard this, I thought, "There's no way a perch is going to like Wintergreen", but they do!

[Skywatcher]

I've been using Wintergreen Rubbing alcohol (.88 cents at Walmart) for years now. I learned this from other Capt's. I find salted minnows to be too mushy. The alcohol keeps them firm and their scales on.

When I first heard this, I thought, "There's no way a perch is going to like Wintergreen", but they do!

Capt. Juls: Do you keep them in the alcohol until using them? Thanks.

[Capt Juls]

Capt. Juls: Do you keep them in the alcohol until using them? Thanks.

When it thaws I just drain it out…otherwise every little cut the perch give you, will sting. 😉

[badboards]

I like the wintergreen idea. Salt can get messy. If I have some extra emeralds next week I'll give that a try.

[sherman51]

I've been using Wintergreen Rubbing alcohol (.88 cents at Walmart) for years now. I learned this from other Capt's. I find salted minnows to be too mushy. The alcohol keeps them firm and their scales on.

When I first heard this, I thought, "There's no way a perch is going to like Wintergreen", but they do!

this is great info for the perch fishermen. i would never have soaked minnows in alcohol.

[capt pete]

What do you all do to preserve your left over emerald shiners after a perch trip, do you salt or use alcohol? What works best? Any help is deeply appreciated.

Rock salt! The baitfish were as tough as leather when added to our leadhead jigs for walleyes. The salt sucks out the moisture quickly. Just frequently dump any water that accumulates in the container. Keep the bait covered with rock salt. Two weeks should be enought to dehydrate. We used this technique on golden shiners and caught up to three walleyes on the same shiner. Perfect for entering Canada from the U.S.. Capt Pete