Here is yet another stupid sockeye trick. From the basics we know that sockeye, like other salmon, like a bit of scent. It can help trigger a bite. We can get that scent through commercial scents, or by adding a piece of bait.
Sand shrimp and cured coon stripe shrimp are popular choices, but can sometimes be hard to obtain – especially at the height of the season.An alternative is using shrimp from the grocery store.
I prefer to use shrimp which is wild caught, instead of farmed. I know it makes a difference to my taste buds, so I have to believe that the fish can tell the difference too. I use unshelled raw shrimp, but anything should work.
Since it isn’t a whole shrimp it doesn’t need to be cured the way that coon stripe shrimp does, but it does help to do a little processing to enhance its flavor.
The basis for this processing is a commercial dry cure. Everything you need is:
- Shrimp
- Dry cure
- Any other additives you want
- Container to put it in
I also use latex gloves to avoid contaminating the bait.
First I assemble all the ingredients. For an add-in, I’m using Fire Power krill powder.
Then I put a layer of shrimp in the container and sprinkle on the cure and Fire Power.
I repeat this process until I’ve added all the shrimp I want to do.
Then attach the lid and GENTLY roll it around to ensure the shrimp gets evenly coated.
Now let it sit in the refrigerator for about a day, rolling it around a couple times a day.
The shrimp is then ready to fish.
If kept cool the bait should be good for a week or so. Beyond that I recommend making up a new batch. Even if you feel it is still good, why take a chance on old bait when making up a new batch is so relatively easy and cheap?
For additional sockeye tips please see here.
