EGG Cure Survey

[smilesforu]

I am interested in some responses on your egg cures. Looking to pick your brains to expand our horizons.

1. Is your cure

a) sodium sulfate (brand?)
b) nitrate cure (brand?)
c) borax (powdered, granular)
d) salt (sea, rock, or table)
e) sugar (brown, raw or white)

Do you use a branded cure? If so what kind and what type of cure is it? Do you know (its ok if you don't know, but let us know)?

2. Differences between eggs cured in sulfate and nitrate?

3. Do you dye them...If so what color do you choose. (Is it branded)

4. If you use different cures which ones do you use to target different species...why?

5. Any special additives you feel make a difference in your cure.

6. Do you brine your eggs, sprinkle and let reabsorb, Or roll then dry cure them.

7. Any tricks you feel make your egg curing easier.
8. What species of fish eggs do you like best? why?
9. Which species do you catch with your bait cure?
(Different species appear to like different cures)
10. Does water temperature influence your cure choice.
Pretty comprehensive but it should interesting to hear the results.

I am interested in doing some head to head cure tests and checking on the different characteristics. Your input would be appreciated. If we get enough results I will put up a spread sheet to make it easier to follow the results.

If you feel you have the secret formula and don't want it divulged to the world email it and I will try to add it to the test.

[Pete]

Great questions, I hope you get a strong response.

1. My cure(s)

a) raw sugar and rock salt, then packed in borax
b) Procure (Redd hot double stuff), then packed in borax

2.

3. dyed, Procure

4. I try both

5. anise oil or shrimp oil applied at time of use

6. I brine your eggs, sprinkle and let reabsorb,

7. Tricks: I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

8. I like silver eggs or steelhead eggs, fresh from the salt. They're small enough for little clusters and firm. Chinook eggs are too big.

9. Steelies more than anything, mainly cuz that's what I use eggs for.

10. Water temperature - much less than clarity, affects my choice. The clearer it is, the more I'll use undyed eggs.