Never tried salted minnows? But I have used frozen minnows. They work but get mushy and come off the hook more easily than live minnows. One more thing I sometimes do if all else fails . I take an small extra anchor with me and bounce it on the bottom to stir things up down there. This can sometimes make them bite. Sometimes right away sometimes you have to wait a little bit. It don't always work but if you are not catching its worth a try.. Good Luck