opinion needed: cut bait for freshwater striper

[r2002]

Let's say I catch lots of shad when I can and save for later use. Fresh frozen or fresh salted, which is better?

Frozen: fresh bait frozen, then vacuum packed and frozen (going over the process to keep the juice); when use, cut open vacuum package and thaw slowly;

salted: fresh bait non-iodized salt cured; freeze in package to prevent freezer burn

I am leaning toward the first method, but some people say fish like the salty taste, so ...

I am not experienced in either way

[teamhooksetter]

Fresh and Lively shad is the way to go around here.....using cut bait the catfish will be all over it.....Not saying you wont catch some just not a method a lot of people use around here. But for catfish bait I just freeze them up, no salt or anything. Works pretty good.

[bioguy]

i wouldn't waste your time in making cut bait for striper fishing around here. if you are heading to the Chesapeake or Delaware bay then they do real good on chumming for cows in the spring. maybe the Roanoke has a decent cut bait bite, but im not sure. Lake Murray has a decent cut bait bite, but it better be fresh bluebacks.

[pete]

Hidden secret. I kill them drifting cut bait on or just off the bottom on norman in the spring. I openly help anyone out on this forum, but when it comes to spring striper on Norman, and after 12+ years of time ive put on the water, i keep quiet with all the lurkers that want to know exactly where and how. ...... Hybrids were doing good as well with it. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise that you cant.

The key is freshness and moisture. Keep them fresh and dry. When i net them, i will throw them in a dry bucket. If i want to get serious, ill dry them with a papertowel/rag, then put them in a ziplock then on ice. Freeze them the same way.

Do not fool with salting them down. Striper dont get big by being dumb. That salt bleaches the natural color off the shad, and some fish know better.

I know the guys that fish lake wateree in the spring kill them on cutbait as well during the river run. Hope this helps.

[bioguy]

I know the guys that fish lake wateree in the spring kill them on cutbait as well during the river run. Hope this helps.

That's a fishery of the past. Blue cats have exploded in the last 5-8 years in wateree. They migrate up cedar creek too, and will keep you busy and clean your bait off before the striper have a chance. Some days it seems like every cat man is up there as there will be a lot of boat traffic.

[gotta_fish]

Cedar creek, wateree , congaree , santee river, all have a good cut bait bite, seems they bite better in the current. I prefer fresh cut over frozen , and the stripers will also. JMO.

[pete]

That's a fishery of the past. Blue cats have exploded in the last 5-8 years in wateree. They migrate up cedar creek too, and will keep you busy and clean your bait off before the striper have a chance. Some days it seems like every cat man is up there as there will be a lot of boat traffic.

The last 6 or so years there was no striper fishery steady enough worth the effort. Now that they are back, the cycle will begin again. Yes you will catch cats inbetween as i do on norman.

[gotta_fish]

Catching a striper along with a few big Blues sounds like a BONUS bag to me..

[r2002]

thanks guys for the input.

I don't have a good bait tank, and don't mind catching cats. it seems that frozen then cut bait is a feasible bait solution.

[r2002]

The key is freshness and moisture. Keep them fresh and dry. When i net them, i will throw them in a dry bucket. If i want to get serious, ill dry them with a papertowel/rag, then put them in a ziplock then on ice. Freeze them the same way.

Pete, why dry?