Salted bait

[Rodfather]

Anyone use salted bait? I was looking into salting and storing squid and shrimp but was wondering if it was worth the effort....I know I caught quite a few stripers with salted clam but is squid and shrimp as effective?

[tjd24]

I buy large squid mantles from a seafood store. After cutting them into strips, I often store excess in zip lock bags with a load of kosher salt.
I've never had any problem using them afterwards.

[Pennsy Guy]

Don't know about squid or shrimp but I buy sardines, round chad, etc. for tuna. If not already frozen, I freeze with kosher salt and vacuum seal 3-4 to a pack. Never had a problem--even with year old frozen baits. I'm guessing squid & shrimp would do as well. With salt & vac sealed eliminating air in pack helps also---air is a killer, causes softening even with frozen baits. At least I found it to be. Hope this helps...

[bigal427]

I use salted Mackerel filets all the time for fluke.

[Captain Rich]

I was given some 5 lb blocks of frozen squid which had not been salted. As I needed them I defrosted, made strips, salted and refroze the squid. Couldn't believe how much water the salt pulled out of the squid, and when defrosted it made great bottom fishing baits.

[Castaway]

Squid freezes fine without salt. I’ve never had it get mushy or soft after it defrosts.

[RescueDogger]

I'm of the mindset that fish find salted bait more irresistible once they nibble.

[Rodfather]

I use salted Mackerel filets all the time for fluke.

I was thinking of salting makererel too...works well? Also gonna try shrimp and of course squid.

[Detour66]

I have had good luck with salted clams for Sea Bass, Ling, Cod and Porgy even Blackfish. They stay on the hook better when they are salted although some Capt's say fresh clam works better especially for Big Sea Bass.

[bigal427]

I was thinking of salting makererel too...works well? Also gonna try shrimp and of course squid.

Salted mackerel works great for fluke. You need to salt it heavy. It's my go to bait for fluke. My wife uses everything else including gulp and I get a lot more bites with the mackerel.

[bigal427]

I have had good luck with salted clams for Sea Bass, Ling, Cod and Porgy even Blackfish. They stay on the hook better when they are salted although some Capt's say fresh clam works better especially for Big Sea Bass.

Fresh clams work a lot better for cod and tog.