01-11-2006, 11:00 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Actually, if you are keeping the roe strictly for catfish, in a still water situation, I would not use any kind of cure on it. The fresher and more natural the better. I have fished crappie and perch roe for cats with good results...using the whole skein. Just thread the sac on a large hook and huck it out without any weight. Let the fish move off with it a little, with the bail open, and then whammo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have used a ton of trout, steelhead and salmon roe, for drifting and bottom bouncing in streams. That is why you cure it, to keep it firmer on the hook when you keep casting and bouncing it in the current.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah, I have cured bunches of that stuff. I used to make up two or three days worth on a Thursday night so I could fish all weekend without having to mess with more roe. When the steelhead were in, in northern California, having fresh roe was sometimes the difference between action and hypothermia.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not tried the roe in Utah, like some folks do at Scofield. But I have been told that you really don't need to cure it unless the eggs are really loose in the skeins. Then you need to cure it and wrap it in the mesh bags. Otherwise, just cut it into bite size pieces and chunk it out there.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, natural is always better. But, when a catfish zeros in on the bait, a slight bit of borax is not going to spook him. After all, those bozos eat Ivory Soap and other wierd stuff. Most of the borax is going to rinse out and the natural scent is what is going to seal the deal. If you want to enhance it, squirt on some attractant of some kind. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff](EDITED IN) Forgot to address the salt issue. It would likely NOT turn the eggs to raisins. Ever hear of caviar? They are salted fish eggs. The most popular is from sturgeon but eggs from salmon and other species makes a passable snack too...if you're into salty fish eggs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have used a ton of trout, steelhead and salmon roe, for drifting and bottom bouncing in streams. That is why you cure it, to keep it firmer on the hook when you keep casting and bouncing it in the current.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yeah, I have cured bunches of that stuff. I used to make up two or three days worth on a Thursday night so I could fish all weekend without having to mess with more roe. When the steelhead were in, in northern California, having fresh roe was sometimes the difference between action and hypothermia.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not tried the roe in Utah, like some folks do at Scofield. But I have been told that you really don't need to cure it unless the eggs are really loose in the skeins. Then you need to cure it and wrap it in the mesh bags. Otherwise, just cut it into bite size pieces and chunk it out there.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In short, natural is always better. But, when a catfish zeros in on the bait, a slight bit of borax is not going to spook him. After all, those bozos eat Ivory Soap and other wierd stuff. Most of the borax is going to rinse out and the natural scent is what is going to seal the deal. If you want to enhance it, squirt on some attractant of some kind. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff](EDITED IN) Forgot to address the salt issue. It would likely NOT turn the eggs to raisins. Ever hear of caviar? They are salted fish eggs. The most popular is from sturgeon but eggs from salmon and other species makes a passable snack too...if you're into salty fish eggs.[/#0000ff]
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