I've got some frozen fatheads from winter fishing...any pack them in for summer use as bait? Smell to overwhelming?

Catfish?

The only thing I could see you using them for is maybe Pike. As far as the smell, keep them in a Tupperware container to lock in the freshness.

I’ve used them for walleye jigging, they last longer if you salt them and then freeze. To be honest I am not sure they are worth the hassle. The more I use plastics the more I see bait getting in my way of catching fish. I am going to try Zman jerk shads for walleye jigging. Since I am imparting the lure action and the plastic should have more action than a dead or alive minnow on a jig I am hoping my results are similar. Less re baiting or having the minnow fall off on a cast. We will see…

If you salt them there are videos on how to do it to preserve them longer. I’d suggest copying one of their methods.

T

I salt my leftover ice-fishing minnows. Seems more forgiving than frozen.

We started taking salted shiners to Canada the last couple years. On a hot bite, the fish didn't care. On a slow bite, maybe 75% success compared to live minnows.

I'm taking some with this year, divvy them into smaller bags and take only what I need each day. Heat/sun is no bueno for them.

My first attempt at salted minnows was a smashing success: I had minnows salted at Arrowhead Outfitters in Ely. The salt drags a bunch of liquid out of the minnows after they sit overnight. I dumped out the liquid and let the minnows dry on a rock. They were good to go for 10 days with highs in the 70s and 80s. Smell isn't bad, once they've been drained and dried a bit. A lot easier than leeches. Also, they appeared to be more successful than the salted minnows I bought online. Never bringing leaches again!

Hear here! ^^^^ the great indoors has the technique. They worked great!

I take them out of the water, pat them dry with a paper towel, put in ziplock, cover in a healthy amount of salt and put in the deep freeze with salt and bag. I remove them for the trip and leave them in the ziplock with the salt. They last plenty long - smell isn't bad and seem to work just as well.

I know a guy who takes his leftover minnows, ziplock and covered in vodka than deep freeze. He claims it works better than salt. I've had success with the salt, so saw no reason to try the vodka, but it to apparantly preserves them well.

I guess I meant salted and frozen. I have my fatheads and today I found shiners already salted and frozen in 2 dozen packs locally here...sweet find.