San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Mackerel for bait. Is it better to keep them on Ice for three days, or freeze them if they are going to be used later in the week?

If you do freeze it, cut it into the pieces that you are going to use first and remove as much moisture as possible with a paper towel first. If its only a few days I'd stick with the fridge or ice-chest. Pat down with a paper towel every day or two. I used to save macks for shark bait when I was a kid fishing off the pier, now it just doesn't seem worth the hassle. best thing would be to find a reliable source to buy bait from.

Fresh over frozen if you can

Toss them in a ziplock bag and throw them in the freezer, catfish will find it eventually if you're not in the same area saturated with other "non-lake" stench

leave it roasting in the sun for a few days on the back porch they like it stinky

Don't add any water, but cut up & let soak in it's own blood & juices & marinate for like 48-72 hours room temp.
Then freeze until you gonna fish & thaw out at least 48hrs
Chicken livers are good bait too.
Soak them in mackerel juice for 48 hrs & freeze.
Again, thaw 48 hrs prior to use.