Where, when and how to catch chub minnows.

[jackfisher]

Thanks to all for your help with my last post. I got heaps of good information, as well as some good locations to catch red sided minnows.

When and Where do you catch chub minnows? and are you more successfull with cast nets or traps?

Thanks again for you help!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Shoot me a PM. I'm about ready for a run...about 45 minutes from Salt Lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have both minnow traps and a cast net.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]MINNOW 101.[/#0000ff]
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[Apocalypse]

Hey Dude

Question for you, I'd like to keep some chubs on occasion and I'm curious. When you catch bunches of chubs or minnows do you transport them live (not legal is it?) or do you kill them somehow before moving them? Also how do you store them? Like, do you keep a small number of them in multiple freezer bags or what??? How do they hold up after the unfreezing process?

Thanks
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000bf]DEFINITELY NOT LEGAL to transport live minnows. If caught with wriggling minnows you are subject to a fine. But, it is tough to whack each of the little buggers on the head before you bring them home.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]When minnowing, you can take some dry kosher or sea salt and pack the minnows between layers of the salt as you prepare them to take home. They don't last long in that stuff and it helps dry and toughen them for freezing. Fish like salt too.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Actually, if you just leave them in a cooler, on ice, they will also expire fairly quickly. Put them in plastic bags to reduce contact with ice and melt water. [/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]I package my minnows in either 6 packs or 10-12 packs. Then, depending on the trip, and what I am targeting, I will take as many packs as I anticipate using...some thawed and some frozen.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]If you freeze them in water or vacuum seal them, to eliminate air bubbles from the package...and if you freeze them quickly after capture...chubs hold up well for fishing. They are much tougher than redside shiners. I have never found a really good way to keep shiners so that they did not turn mushy when thawed. My chubs are often tough after being thawed (but cool) for a whole day.[/#0000bf]
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[Apocalypse]

Thanks for the good info, I plan on taking a few (dead ones)from strawberry this spring and this info will help.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Strawberry is no longer a prime minnow harvest venue. The cutts have done the job they were supposed to do. They have culled the minnow herd something fierce. No longer are there the clouds of minnows around the docks...or anywhere.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]DWR netting surveys show that the redside shiners are just about completely gone from Strawberry. They also are not turning up any chubs smaller than 8"-10". The bigger chubs are still spawning up a storm, and producing lots of babies, but they do not live long enough to get big anymore. They are all picked off by the time they are 3"-4" long.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As wild as it may seem to Strawberry veterans, we may soon see a chubless lake. Of course the larger ones will remain, and will live another 15-20 years. But, it could turn into the same situation as Starvation, where there are some humongous fat old chubs and no little ones to be found. Once the big ones die off there will be no more chubs in the food chain.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]But....what about the CARP![laugh][laugh][/size][/black][laugh]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Okay, I'll play your silly game. What about them?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]They are too big to fit in a minnow trap. Maybe we can hire you out to harvest them for cat-chasers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the meantime, just breathe through your nose and you will be alright.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]LMAO![][/size][/black]
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[trollboy8]

I guess I need to go catch some carp so I can be as excited about them as you. What kind of fly did you use?
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Just old stand by nymphs. Haresear, Prince, Pheasant Tail, etc. Add rubber legs and even better.[/size][/black]
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[trollboy8]

I wouldn't have guessed that. Would have thought something like a clouser. Guess I need to head down, lbh is only 5 minutes from my house.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Carp feed on all kinds of aquatic insects and have good vision. They will chase down and attack something that looks good to them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In murky water try fishing small chartreuse nymphs. You might even find a crappie on the end of your line. Darned game fish sometimes ruin a good carp expedition.[/#0000ff]
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[trollboy8]

I will give that a try for sure. Also, TD, I need to set up an appointment with you to check you some of your tubes (if you are still willing, you mentioned that I could try some out so I can decide what kind of tube I am going to buy).
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Shoot me a PM with your schedule and I will get my address and phone number to you. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the meantime, you might want to check some of the threads on the Float Tubing board's [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=322050;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]BEST OF THE BEST[/url]. We are always reviewing the better models for folks who are shopping.[/#0000ff]
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