Stupid salmon egg question from a newbie

Smeagol · 10-09-2002, 07:58 AM

My first batch of salmon eggs are almost done curing and I'm curious the best way to ensure that they survive on the hook for more than one cast. Do people recommend using the thin mesh bait bags? I imagine they allow the bait to last much longer, but do they negatively image the effectiveness of the eggs? What about the little rubberbands they sell to secure bait?

Any other recommendations are appreciated. I realize I could learn all this from trial and error, but the hen I caught was small and I would prefer not wasting too many eggs during the painful early stages of the learning process.

Thanks

fishing is life · 10-09-2002, 08:47 AM

Smeagol, i would dry them out more and maybe roll them in borax if you plan on fishing in fast water. i assume you know what an egg loop is. the spawn sacs are not used up here as much but it would not hurt to try. i always like to give them different looks.

DanS · 10-09-2002, 10:44 AM

Gollum,

If you cure them properly, and let them dry enough, you shouldn't need mesh. You can roll your finished eggs in borax to toughen them up a bit too.

If you still have problems keeping them on, then wrap dime or nickel sized baits in mesh, tie them closed with magic thread, and you'll be ready to fish.

Good luck............

Uncle Bob · 10-09-2002, 12:16 PM

Smeagol,
As for the upper Tillamook bay...
Good eggs or bad eggs, they where only lasting 2-3 cast at best. Those darn scolpin :depressed:
Funny thing is, they can burry your bobber just like the big ol' boys.
A quart jar of eggs lasted about 30 minutes.
Good Luck!

UB

Sliderite · 10-09-2002, 06:23 PM

Those dang(#@) sculpin eat the eggs like crazy. Seems like most times I get one to two casts before baiting up again

The more they eat the less eggs I put on the 5/0 hook and add more sandshrimp. They seem to be able to suck the eggs off easier than the shrimp. I would rather dole out money for a couple dozen sandshrimp than use huge chunks of good eggs. Change the depth and they are there. Move.....they are there!

The sculpins aren't usually bad until a few casts then they get wise to the dinnerbell.
Just venting from two days fishing ..1 1/2 quarts of great eggs and almost 4 dozen shrimp. That is on just one rod!!! Did get a 30lb fat hen that I can now cure the eggs for the sculpins and hopefully a chinook!

excuse me · 10-09-2002, 06:45 PM

Sliderite mentioned that those dang(#@) sculpins eat the eggs like crazy. Mudcats and ********* are egg robbers no doubt! Seems to be getting worse in recent years? Mesh spawn sacks will protect eggs from these smaller fish. But they may only be close to as effective as real egg clusters in faster water usage. In slower water the salmon have more time to gently mouth eggs and real clusters feel much better and more natural than spawn sacks so they will hold on to them longer, or even swallow the real clusters more often. In average water speeds the real clusters also have the eggs fluttering in the current which is more attractive to fish than a bag of eggs drifting along.

The main factor in having egg clusters stay on your hook longer is the quality tightness of the harvested skeins. But if they aren't tight at harvest then what was said about longer drying periods and then boraxing them will help. It can also help to double encircle looser egg clusters in the egg loop before smoothly snugging them against the hook shank. This will hold onto them a little longer and also allow harder longer casts better when needed.

crabbait · 10-09-2002, 06:55 PM

Ok, guys........I hate to share this one since it is a bigtime bobber secret but here goes. Get yourself about 50' of #8 wire and spool your Calcutta with that. Rig your bobber as normal only you won't need the bobber stop since nothing slides and you won't be casting far. Solder the end of your wire right to the 6/0 Owner cutting point. Bait with good eggs.

Now run a wire from a spark plug to your reel. Next time a Pogey gets to tuggin on yer bait just HIT THE IGNITION SWITCH!!

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[ 10-09-2002, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

Uncle Roman · 10-09-2002, 08:10 PM

Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Do not concentrate and inhale fumes. Accidental death may occur. Contains sulfites. Who is crazier, The one who wrote it or the one who read it?

Flatfish · 10-09-2002, 08:10 PM

Crabby,
please post that every 30 days.Too funny! :grin: :tongue:

crabbait · 10-09-2002, 08:24 PM

Wilco. Gotta go practice casting my 8 gauge.

Over and out.

fishbait · 10-09-2002, 08:40 PM

Smeagol,
Dry those eggs. Put a fan on them if you got one. I like my bobber eggs almnost dry to the touch, and tough. Kinda the consistancy and feel of a dried aporicot......... Will help them last and will catch just fine.......

Smeagol · 10-09-2002, 11:30 PM

Sounds like what you're telling me is to be a little more patient. Funny, my wife says the same thing all the time. :smile: I'll try using a little borax to toughen them up once they finish drying.

Fishing freak · 10-10-2002, 10:28 AM

For those suggesting rolling the eggs in borax after curing. Is it effective to roll the eggs in Borax while still in whole skeins or do you have to cut in "Bite size peices". I have got some nice large skeins that I got out of the ocean tuesday and thought about using the Borax to toughen them up. Thanks

Tilla · 10-10-2002, 03:30 PM

Uh, Crabbait,
About what lb test does 8 guage wire equate to?