Cured Salmon Eggs

[Paul1913]

So this is my first attempt of curing Eggs. Ive always just frozen them without anything added to them and ususally causes a mess upon thawing out.

I know there has been many threads about how to cure eggs etc. Here is my first attempt. They didn't turn out as great as I though but take a look and any suggestions would be appreciated. They look a little shrunken / collapsed.. How about storage. What do you guys prefer Zip Locks vs Jars?

..

 

[Dozer]

Ziplocks with no air - saram wrap works great

 

[riverrat]

Aslong as they dont break when your tying them they should be fine but you might have to keep changing roe bags more often if the eggs didnt cure all the way threw they will turn white faster

 

[chromebullet]

I put them in ziplocks and keep the layer thin so that the weight of all the eggs on top of eachother don't crush all the ones on the bottom.

.

 

[rich_ace_G]

locks...just fold it and lock it.

 

[Paul1913]

Thank you for the input. I think the reason why they're collapsed is because I changed bags and didn't keep the juices they had let out.. Will know for next time

 

[instapump416]

How did you cure them?

Lots of trial and error when trying to figure it out.

 

[Captain Barty]

Really need to get the air out of those bags

 

[Paul1913]

How did you cure them?

Lots of trial and error when trying to figure it out.

I used a product from Lebaron..

I'm going to freeze them for, 12 hours then put them in vacuum sealed bags.

 

[416fish]

We've all been down this road a few times on the journey to great quality cured roe. Don't worry, you will perfect the curing process after a few runs.

But in all honesty, I wouldn't even use that roe, as it looks like it won't hold shape when tied into bags and looks like it will just milk out all the juices in a single drift.

BUT, don't worry, it's never a waste! If my roe turned out like that, I would simply use it as chum for the steelhead. Throw out a handful of that stuff, then drift some beads. That could definitely yield a great catch!

Easy curing method I use is Pautzke Fire Brine mixed with Bor X Fire (The powder stuff with Krill extract). Basically, put fresh roe in a mason jar, fill it to 1cm above the roe with fire brine and a few scoops of Bor X Fire, leave in fridge over night. Next day, the eggs should have absorbed all the brine and you'll see the level of the brine lower in the jar (most times it's all gone for me). Then you lay out the roe on a paper towel and spread them out to dry. You dry them only until they have a firm rubbery texture and won't pop unless you put some decent pressure on it. At this point you can freeze them or sprinkle more bor x fire. That stuff has some crazy scent on it and did really well for me last year. I use red colour brine and orange colour powder. They milk out after 6-8 drifts. The Steelies on G-Bay loved my roe, even the ones within the Toronto tribs. You'll know you made killer roe when even the creek chubs are attacking your roe bags!


Forgot to mention, I tie my roe bags before I freeze them, and separate them into daily amounts into zip locks. I actually do the same with my fishheads roe I receive in the mail, tie them up before freezing. Then on the day of fishing, grab a ziplock. Best way to defrost is leave in the fridge over night, however, Im lazy and just let them defrost on the way to the spot.

 

[rocheleauc]

^This, it's what a lot of my buddies use and they get great results.

 

[goodentight]

I have never wasted my time or money on any of those products. 100% natural or just add some borax from the grocery store. Then just split into "day use" bags. The good ziplock freezer ones. Roll them up like you would roll whatever...bobs your uncle

 

[James5354]

Paul, if the eggs you got from the hen were loose just water harden them in the river. basically once u squirt the eggs out in a ziplock bag put river water in it and when you get home add pickling salt in it with the water still in there leave it like that for a few hours and so it all disolves in there then drain out the water and lay the eggs on paper towel to air dry for half the day. once they are dry and sticking together you can package them in small individual outing sizes in another ziplock bag with the air sucked out or vacuum seal them and freeze them, iv done it this way for years and the eggs look really good once thawed out, i still have a batch in the freezer from like 3 years ago still fresh when i take them out to tie. hope that helps.

J

 

[416fish]

I have never wasted my time or money on any of those products. 100% natural or just add some borax from the grocery store. Then just split into "day use" bags. The good ziplock freezer ones. Roll them up like you would roll whatever...bobs your uncle

Going natural is probably really good, however, I always find them hard to tie up, and they milk out way faster, like 1 or 2 drifts.

I once did a comparison study to see the effectiveness of different cured roe types and the results:
- fresh roe in roe bags (milked out in 1-2 casts, milk was clear in colour, hard to tie in roe bags)
- fire brine (red) in roe bags (milked out in 6-8 casts, milk was cloudy in colour, easy to handle)
- bor X fire (orange) in roe bags (milked out in 3-6 casts, milk was clear in colour, little soft and harder to handle than fire brine)
- fire brine (red) /bor x fire(orange) mixed in roe bag (milked out in 6-8 casts, milk was cloudy and white, easy to handle but very sticky, milked out tons of juices)
- fire brine (red) skien (milked out in 6-12 casts, milk was similar to roe bags but milked out much slower)
- fire brine (clear) /bor x fire (orange) skien (milked out in 6-12 casts, milk was similar to roe bags but milked out much slower)
- fishheads rainbow roe in roe bags (lasted the longest, maybe 6-12+ casts, not as much visible milking of any juices though)

These were all tested in one fishing session at Glen Haffy stocked rainbow trout ponds (results will vary for lake O steelhead). As far as fish production, I found they were most aggressive towards the roe that had a combination of fire brine and bor X fire. I'm guessing it was because of the excessive and white/cloudy milking. Second to that was fishheads roe. Even though it didn't seem to have any visible milking, it was more durable and a few times after catching a fish, I was able to salvage the roe bag to catch another.

After that experiment I went to a west trib for trout opener this year and absolutely killed it with the fire brine/bor X fire cure while all the fishermen I saw that day left without a single take (8+ fishermen). I had never fished on that trib before, and had a great morning, with the first fish on the first drift!

 

[chasingfish]

Im with James. But slightly different. River harden for approx 5 mins. Then when u get home into a bowl with some salt (I use sea salt). About 1/2 cup. Let sit for an hour, then rinse and back into the bowl with fresh water for about 30 mins. Wrap in paper towel and put in fridge for a day. Take out and tie/freeze at your hearts content. Yes they do get milky faster but I find they induce strikes more than other roe.

 

[float^drifter]

I keep it natural. River harden, dry up when I get home vacuum seal into portions I will use. Get 10 drifts with no problem. everything else is time and wasted money no thanks.

 

[goodentight]

Amen.

Hey guys. there is no right or wrong way. If you are banking fish, all the power to your system!

 

[float^drifter]

Amen.

Hey guys. there is no right or wrong way. If you are banking fish, all the power to your system!

Exactly it all comes down to personal preference.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Amen.

Hey guys. there is no right or wrong way. If you are banking fish, all the power to your system!

bingo...if I can land a steel using stale salmon eggs...anything will work.

 

[goodentight]

stank bags are whats up sometimes.