herring brine

[ZaQ]

I have been using a simple herring brine for a couple years now. I don't have confidence in it. Does anyone have one they like that they feel ok about sharing? Email me if you would prefer...........................thanks....all.... [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[Flatfish]

Gallon of hot water. Puor in salt(kosher) and stir. Do this til the salt will not dissolve anymore. Add anise, vanilla, msg, sugar, or whatever makes you feel good. Food coloring. Bait brightener. And powdered milk-2 cups or so. Stir. let it cool and dunk the herring(makes 3-4 dozen). Store in mason jars or tupperware. I think glass is best but whatever works for ya.

The whole brine thing is a good idea. But the spin on the herring is what makes the fish bite. I cannot do it well, but some folks I know can do it especially well. They will catch fish on my bait and i will go home and eat chicken. The spin matters.

Mark and the double slip hook with a trailer dog.

[fishnxtc]

Just add secret sauce and salt works great................Chris

[Full Freezer]

I usually have at least 4 to 5 different flavors to offer & change flavors every 20min or so until I find what they like that day. I start with a plastic bucket & make a large batch of concentrated brine (water can't dissolve salt any more- stir for awhile) using PURIFIED water - no chlorine. I then pour off some in another bucket in which I prepare a "special" brine with flavor, scents, MSG, Chanel #5, etc. Then stuff slighlty thawed herring - plug cut or whole into large mouth mason jars & pour "special" brine into jar until full & cap.

Rinse 2nd bucket (w/ purified water) & start with the 2nd batch of "special" brine. If I don't use all the plain brine up I just keep it in the bucket with a lid till next time.

Store these ready made herring jars in the freezer until ready to go.

I keep track of which scents & flavors are catching & abandon those who fail. Keep trying new ones all the time.

Some of the best have been left overs that have been mixed with others after consolidating them at the end of a trip and used next time!

I also cut the tails & fins off the herring to make them fit & spin better.

hope that helps -may be to much trouble but I'm into the "prep" thing.

Full Freezer

[Captain and Marie]

use rock salt
cold ocean water
crushed ice
Mrs. Stewarts Bluing
Marie's Herring Scent
Puget Sound Herring

mixture of rock salt
ocean water
Mrs Stewarts Bluing
Marie's Herring Scent

place herring in bucket first
cover with mixture
let sit at least 2 hours before fishing begins

This really works!

Marie

[ZaQ]

Thanks all, some good suggestions.

[Sore Back]

I have had great luck with Marie's recipe followed by splitting the tails.