Using frozen Herring

Do I let it thaw overnight, or wait until I get to the launch to pull it out and start a thawing?  Plug cut the night before, or right before using?

I'm planning on hitting T-Bay tomorrow AM - was going to go to Nehalem, but with a crab derby going on, and the desire to give myself a chance of hooking up a Tyee, the "Ghost Hole" up by Larson cove seems like a good shot.

I've always waited till that day, unless, of course, i was doing some brining. Otherwise i pull the bag out of the freezer, dump some sea salt on 'em, and go fishing

Go to "Salmon University" on the net and follow their "how to brine herring" to the tee, although I skip the milk powder, an add some secret stuff their process will get you fishing with confidence.  The process firms the bait allowing it to fish longer and better, and gives it scent and flash.  Keep in gallon bags in the brine on ice or at least as cold as possible on the yak, heat is the killer to bait quality, they get warm, they get soft and they won't fish.  Cut them one at a time (get a plug cutting jig) in the yak as keeping the bevel clean and crisp is critical to getting a good roll.

I like em frozen. Pull them out when you're ready to go fushing and plug cut away!

I like em frozen. Pull them out when you're ready to go fushing and plug cut away!

how do you get them apart (pulled out of the tray) without messing all the scales up?


I will be looking into the Brads Super Bait Plug Cut.  This bait has a ton of possibility for yak fishing. Way less hassle than rolling real herring

Cut the seal on the vac-pac when nearing your launch, then add a little water to the pack.

Never ever let herring thaw without breaking the seal.

I do brine herring, too, but keep them frozen as well. Enough salt in the water keeps the water from turning to ice but freezes the herring up really well.

No time to brine - heading out tomorrow and just bought a pack of green labels to try out.  I figure I should learn if using bait is something I am comfy with.  If it works out well (as in, I catch a fish), I'll keep trying it.

Got a cutting jig, herring, herring rigs and mooching rigs, 4 oz weights, and fresh batteries for my FF.

Thanks for the info.  Now to focus on getting to Tbay and launched before sunup.

No time to brine - heading out tomorrow and just bought a pack of green labels to try out.  I figure I should learn if using bait is something I am comfy with.  If it works out well (as in, I catch a fish), I'll keep trying it.

Got a cutting jig, herring, herring rigs and mooching rigs, 4 oz weights, and fresh batteries for my FF.

Thanks for the info.  Now to focus on getting to Tbay and launched before sunup.

There's always time to brine.  Just throw them in a brine overnight and they'll be firmer than if you don't.  You can throw them in a brine frozen and let them thaw in the fridge while they're soaking up the salt. 
Basic brines are not rocket science.  It's just salt and water.  Colors, scents and luster enhancers are fun to play with but not necessary.  The key to catching with a plug cut herring is keeping that clean bevel that Pelagic refered to.   
Another nice thing about brining herring is that you can toss them in the fridge for weeks and they'll still fish just fine.  My best springer this year was caught on a plug cut herring that was weeks old and had already been on the river with me once.

They will still fish without being salted but they won't last as long.  Make sure to check your bait on a regular basis (especially in T-Bay this time of year).  If your bait isn't spinning perfectly, try moving your leading hook.  If it still doesn't spin perfectly, toss it and grab another.

If you know you have that much time, you can break the seal when you leave your house and they'll be fishable (and unsticky) when you hit Tillamook.