Mussel

[Dava_2009]

Goin out on Sunday, I've got a bag of mussel in the freezer still in there shells, can anyone tell me wats the best way to prepare these before goin out so I don't have to take them out the shell whilst fishing. I find them soggy and hard to attach to hook wen taking them out the shell while fishing!

[codseeker]

i usually hoy them in the sink whatever im gonna use with a bit warm water so they defrost shell them with a small spoon or flat knife and put them in a sealable bag ready for fishing

[SnaggedUpLad]

get yourself some bait elastic mate, thread them on your hook then wrap elastic round them... if your using a larger hook 6/0 you can put 4 or 5 on a bait needle and wrap them into a sausage then thread them on.

[Dava_2009]

Ino how to put them on the hook it's just there always soggy and hard to use.

[codseeker]

thats the way they are hoying a few on helps and the elastic binds them tight to make a nice bait there will be bits that are soggy drops off whilst doing it just add more till ya get a decent bait for what ya trying to catch

[Dava_2009]

Yer that happens, I'm sure I read to open the shells the nite before you want them, sprinkle a bit salt on them then put in the fridge over night this way they will harden up a bit, anyone heard of this before?

[SnaggedUpLad]

I can understand salting them, but the effectively Reduces the water content..... no more juicey goodness for them coddies lol

Also salt is a form of preserving and or cooking fish so when fished could produce some good sent since the moister will be from the sea water...

In all honesy I've never tried it... new things are always worth a shot mate.... tell me if it works though!!! lol

[codseeker]

ive actually just shelled some from frozen and they look spot on and ready for the hook tonight seems like ages since i was last out

[Dava_2009]

Well m all new to this il try and c wat happens on Sunday let you no! Thanx for your help

[big sid]

IS IT TRUE WHAT IV'E HEARD REGARDING THE MUSSEL BOUGHT FROM TACKLE SHOPS. THAT THE MUSSEL'S HAVE BEEN BLANCHED AND YOU LOOSE SOME OF THE JUICE'S AND AREN'T AS GOOD AS FRESH

[Dava_2009]

I've noticed a differance with the ones I picked myself at the beach to the ones you get from tackle shops, the ones from tackle shops are a lot more firm and easier to use in my opinion is this because they have been salted?

[shaun]

Goin out on Sunday, I've got a bag of mussel in the freezer still in there shells, can anyone tell me wats the best way to prepare these before goin out so I don't have to take them out the shell whilst fishing. I find them soggy and hard to attach to hook wen taking them out the shell while fishing!

shell them n put them on a wooden skewer or bait needle then put it in the freezer and just slide them on the hooks when your fishing and wrap some bait elastic on them

[waco]

Goin out on Sunday, I've got a bag of mussel in the freezer still in there shells, can anyone tell me wats the best way to prepare these before goin out so I don't have to take them out the shell whilst fishing. I find them soggy and hard to attach to hook wen taking them out the shell while fishing!

we used to use tea bags, throw the tea out, pop2 or3 inside and tie onto hook with bait elastic

[phil185]

Tea bags, bandage, armour mesh- they all do the same really. i always find mussel is best when its at the half frozen stage (soft enough to go on a hook but firm enough to hold itself together) then just stick some bait elastic on. It stays intact when casting but the sea quickly melts it so theres plenty of juiciness for the coddies


Phil

[fishermans freind]

i usually use arma mesh for my mussel nice and easy no messing about with bait elastic and you can get baits ready at home and just freeze them ready for use