Bait preparation and storage

[Kent]

Immediately after netting my minnows I put them on ice. I use frozen milk jugs for ice, and put them in small plastic bags so they are not swimming in ice water all day. When I get home I cure them in inexpensive styrofoam ice chests. I first put a layer of course dry salt on the bottom of the ice chest (use plain salt that doesn't have any added ingredients). then I put a layer of minnows on top of the salt. I cover the minnows with a layer of course dry salt, and repeat this process for several layers. I then place a frozen milk jug on top and put the lid on the ice chest. I let them cure over night. When I open the ice chest there is lots of water in it that has been sucked out of the fish by the salt. I quickly rinse the salt off (I do this because I don't want to get salt on my hands when I cut up the fish) in cold water and lay them out to dry for a few minutes in the sun. I then lay them on a cookie sheet that has a layer of plastic on it. I freeze them for about 30 minutes and then vacuum seal them. The minnows are not mushy when they thaw out, and the fish seem to like the salty taste.
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