Anyone catch herring?

[Angry Perch]

I assume some catch them for bait, but I'm interested in grilling them. Any tips would be appreciated. MA6 out of Sequim.

[jackelope]

We used to catch them by the dozen back east. They make great striped bass bait for live bait fishing. Also great catfish bait cut up in chunks.

They stunk bad and were slimy. I'm not sure I could ever get past that to where I wanted to eat them. My grandfather used to love to eat them pickled. Not doing that either.

We caught them with dip nets on their spawning grounds.

[Angry Perch]

We used to catch them by the dozen back east. They make great striped bass bait for live bait fishing. Also great catfish bait cut up in chunks.

They stunk bad and were slimy. I'm not sure I could ever get past that to where I wanted to eat them. My grandfather used to love to eat them pickled. Not doing that either.

We caught them with dip nets on their spawning grounds.

Pickled herring is the bomb!

[NRA4LIFE]

Oh yeah!  Our deer camp back in WI always had a big jug of them around.  One of the guys made them but I don't recall where he got them.  I buy a jar every now and then.  My wife thinks they're revolting.  Yum.  Have never caught them but have never tried. 

[WapitiTalk1]

Ya, used to use a piscater jig/rig to catch them down in MA13.  When I had my boat, used to just run cut-plug herring behind a flasher or dodger for salmon.  Much cheaper to catch herring for bait than to buy them. 

[WSU]

I've caught tons of anchovies on sabiki rigs.  Drop it down when you get over a bait ball and it's fish on instantly.

[Angry Perch]

I've got a bunch of Sabiki rigs, but have yet to put one to work. Anchovies are yummy too!

[wadu1]

I've used Zak herring jigs with good success, the red ones caught more than the green. Find a bait ball and start jigging. We used them for bait, we also hard smoked them great with a cold beer.

[WSU]

I've got a bunch of Sabiki rigs, but have yet to put one to work. Anchovies are yummy too!

I'd be interested in how you prepare them.  I've always fed them to the fishes.

[wadu1]

Simple brine, 1/2 C white sugar, 1/2 C brown Sugar 1/2 C salt 3 + cups water soak 24 hours pat dry. Use only alder and smoke until dry 8 -10 hours in a little chief.

[Stein]

I've caught tons of anchovies on sabiki rigs.  Drop it down when you get over a bait ball and it's fish on instantly.

 

I didn't have any luck getting herring to bite a Sabiki, I've drug it through millions of them and not a single bite.  Maybe I don't have the right size or color, but the chovies sure crush them.

I have a Sabiki rod that makes it simple to deploy and something to keep my son interested.

[Angry Perch]

I've caught tons of anchovies on sabiki rigs.  Drop it down when you get over a bait ball and it's fish on instantly.

 

I didn't have any luck getting herring to bite a Sabiki, I've drug it through millions of them and not a single bite.  Maybe I don't have the right size or color, but the chovies sure crush them.

I have a Sabiki rod that makes it simple to deploy and something to keep my son interested.

Is that the tubular rod?

[Stein]

Yeah, super slick and pays for itself by not throwing Sabiki rigs away due to tangles every time I use one.

I have this one, but should have bought an 8' as I usually have to cut the rigs down a bit so they fit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M03PR4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[metlhead]

In the early 80's, a lantern and a snagging line off the docks in Olympia. We'd get enough for all summer salmon fishing. Not sure anyone still does it.

[CP]

Yeah, super slick and pays for itself by not throwing Sabiki rigs away due to tangles every time I use one.

I have this one, but should have bought an 8' as I usually have to cut the rigs down a bit so they fit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M03PR4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that same rod, it stains the Sabiki rigs a dark brown; basically ruins them.  White rigs catch herring but brown ones don't catch anything.