Shiners

[drift fisher]

What is the preferred method to freeze emerald shiners assuming I can find some. Have never tried it. Thanks!!!

[Mark]

While still on the boat put them, alive, in a plastic bag with a few Tablespoons of salt, (for 3 dozen or so), and keep them on ice or they'll start to rot. Pop them into the freezer ASAP and be sure to tell the Mrs. not to throw them out. Or, when your wife is away, put them on a cookie sheet, sprinkled with salt and put into the freezer. When they're froze solid put them in a plastic bag but don't tell the Mrs. that you used her cookie sheet. Keep them on ice and if they thaw out on board do not try to re-freeze them, they'll become mushy and start to stink. In fact some will tell you that if you put a stinky minnow on your hook the fish can smell it, even after you remove that minnow and put on a fresh one!
The odor lingers.

[drift fisher]

Thanks!!! I'll give it a try

[troy1976]

Ditto all the comments below. Used all the tricks and have had success. I would say the motor running is the most consistent in my opinion. Sometimes all you need to do is let out 15 to 20 foot of anchor line to move over an active school. Or talk about moving that always seems to fire the fish up for a while. Good luck

[faithwalker]

What is the best salt to use for freezing minnows. I have used kosher before any one better to stiffen the minnows better when frozen?

[pimplepounder]

Hello,

I have preserved my shiners by using Amish Egg Cure. You can by the stuff at www.amishoutfitters.(You no what) The guys use the stuff to cure salmon eggs. It is pink and it draws the moisture out. You can find info on preserving on youtube. They stay tough and they last outside of refrigeration. I use them when the perch do not want belly strips which is rare for me.