Bring In Your Next Big Haul By Using Herring for Bait
Are you considering using herring as bait for your next fishing adventure? Many have found very good results using the popular fish for bait.
We are going to explore the benefits of using herring for bait, what you will catch with this bait, and other important nuances to keep in mind when fishing and choosing the proper bait for the fish you are looking to hook.
Let us start at the beginning. What is a herring?
What is a Herring Fish and What is it Used For?
According to the Marine Stewardship Council, herring is part of the Clupeidae family of fish that has over two hundred different species, but herring is the most common.
Herring is a versatile fish, many consider it to be similar to sardines. It is a small fish that does not grow larger than about 14 to 16 inches. It is found in fresh and saltwater and can often live to be around 15 years old, which is very old for a fish.
Herring is used in numerous cuisines all over the world because it is so readily available. Many countries serve herring smoked or picked or preserved in other methods.
Regions like Russia, Poland, Scandinavia, and others use herring as a Christmas tradition, when it is served pickled. Some also believe that herring is lucky and serve it on New Year’s Eve to welcome the new year with wishes of prosperity.
Some countries are known for smoked herring. This method of preserving herring is most frequently found in Ireland, England, North America, and the Caribbean. When smoked, it is often called kippers. Also, the white flesh turns to a pale red after the smoking process.
Another primary use of herring is harvesting their roe, which is used by foreign markets. In 2009, around 40,500 tons of sac roe were harvested, which resulted in $17.1 million being paid to commercial fishermen.
Other Uses for Herring: It is Not Just for Dinner Anymore:
In addition to being eaten, herring has many other uses.
As far back as 1878, herring were caught for consumption and for bait. Today, herring harvested from southern Alaska to Dutch Harbor is primarily used as bait to catch halibut, crab, salmon, and other types of fish. This is according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Herring is considered a good bait; they can be caught in freshwater lakes and reservoirs.
Using Herring for Bait to Catch a Variety of Fish Species:
Most fishermen will agree that the most important decision fishermen need to make is what to put on the end of their poles to attract their catch. They attract the attention of larger fish because of their size and shiny skin, which reflects off the sunlight.
When using herring as bait, it is best to catch them or purchase them live. If this is not an option, the vacuum-sealed herring would be next best, after that frozen herring.
Look at the frozen and vacuum-sealed herrings before you buy them. Look at the eyes; they should be clear, not cloudy. They should not be sunken in or show signs of freezer burn. These are all signs that the fish may be old.
Preparing Your Herring to be Used as Bait:
Before using herring as bait, you must brine it. It preserved the quality of the herring as well as its appearance. It also preserves the fish. So brined fish can be used for bait longer than those that are not. Brining also makes the herring more firm, which helps hold the fish on the hook.
Before brining it, you will need to cut the fish with a sharp knife to reduce the quality of the bait due to jagged edges.
If you are purchasing herring to brine, you can often find it at your local bait shop. You can also find it online; it will arrive frozen.
Brining the Herring:
To brine the herring, use 17 ounces of water and one cup of rock salt. The fish should stay in the brine for at least eight hours, but no more than 48. Many people add dyes and scents to the bait to attract certain types of fish. This is the time to put any additional additives in the water.
There are also a few ready-to-use brines, which are pre-mixed in a two-liter bottle. There is also a brining product from Pro-Cure. It is a powder that can be mixed, then used to brine the herring.
After brining, you are ready to fish!
What Can You Catch Using Herring for Bait?
There is a wide variety of fish that are attracted to herring as it is one of the most frequently used baitfish.
Many use herring as their main bait for all species of salmon, including chinook, coho, and pink salmon. It has also been successful in luring striped bass, tarpon, catfish, largemouth bass, muskies, walleyes, and others.
Small sections of herring are used to catch smaller fish like whiting, while larger strips or whole herring are used to catch bass and congers, according to BikeHike.org.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, states that herring is widely used in the U.S. and international markets by international fishermen fishing for lobster, blue crab, and tuna.
Versatile Herring a Great Choice at the End of Your Fishing Rod:
If you have considered using herring to catch your favorite fish, it is a wise move. Many fish are attracted to herring because it is very similar to what they typically eat in the wild. The shiny silver, blue skin picks up the sunlight and attracts larger fish to the bait. Fishermen find they can get a variety of fish on their line by using just one bait.
While many prefer to use lures and other man-made options, the best idea is to use herring, which is cured when fishing in freshwater and saltwater.
Using herring as bait will give you a very good chance of brining home supper, but then you never know what supper will be because it attracts so many different species of fish.
It will be exciting to see what type of sea creature may turn up at the end of your line.
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