Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: dave c on November 27, 2019, 08:35:43 AM

Title: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: dave c on November 27, 2019, 08:35:43 AM
I have 4 lovely coho skeins that i will not be using until next fall.  Is it better to cure before freezing?
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: avid angler on November 27, 2019, 08:40:59 AM
100% yes
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: psd1179 on November 27, 2019, 09:12:24 AM
A very good senior fisherman told me he fill water with the skein in a ziplock bag and freeze without cure. when defrost, the roe is fresh.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: stsfisher on November 27, 2019, 09:55:46 AM
yes
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: CohoJake on November 27, 2019, 10:10:04 AM
My dad gave me a zip-loc bag with uncured coho skeins from last season.  I cured it up with fresh spring roe, and it caught fish as well as the (never frozen) spring roe.  It looked totally freezer burned when he gave it to me, but the finished product looked great.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: armytruck on November 27, 2019, 12:54:38 PM
I wrap my fresh skeins with a paper towel , then into the zip lock . no pro cure
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: firstlight on November 27, 2019, 03:03:11 PM
Ice crystals will form in the eggs and then the eggs will pop if not cured.
I would cure it foresure.
There is plenty of advise on youtube also.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: bobby b on November 27, 2019, 03:15:42 PM
I would cure before freezing also.
I have tried freezing before curing in the past, and yes it still worked, although I found if i re-froze any, it would be mushy when thawed. If I cure roe before freezing, i find I have no issues re-freezing it if need be. ymmv
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: greyghost on November 27, 2019, 03:30:08 PM
Yes cure the skeins!
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: 96XJ on November 27, 2019, 03:32:10 PM
I took out some roe that was a few years old that was not cured , tried to save it but was unsuccessful , any roe that was cured a year ago is always fine for me , so that was a lesson to me - cure before freezing
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: FlyFishin Magician on November 27, 2019, 05:09:55 PM
Hi Dave! Yes, cure before freezing. Better yet, give the roe to me!!!

It was great fishing beside you last week. I hope your cut hand is ok???
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: Fish Assassin on November 27, 2019, 05:12:17 PM
Another vote for curing
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: Paulo on November 27, 2019, 07:43:12 PM
I used roe that was cured and three years old. Caught my limit in 3 hrs with plenty of hooked and lost fish to boot as well this year.
So, yes , definitely cure it.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: dave c on November 27, 2019, 07:48:06 PM
Hi Dave! Yes, cure before freezing. Better yet, give the roe to me!!!

It was great fishing beside you last week. I hope your cut hand is ok???
Healing well thanks. Had a good time fishing with you guys also
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: sumasriver on November 27, 2019, 07:56:23 PM
Another vote for curing

Are borax cured eggs safer in the river as compared to Pro Cure eggs... ?

Do the sulphites in pro cure make them more effective than Borax ?

Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: Spoonman on November 28, 2019, 09:16:07 AM
Are borax cured eggs safer in the river as compared to Pro Cure eggs... ?

Do the sulphites in pro cure make them more effective than Borax ?
......the chemicals in cures act as preservatives and bite enhancers......borax is more a drying agent......safest eggs would be a salt/sugar cure...colour with food colour /jello...add your own flavours garlic..anise etc....lots of Info on the net...
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: spoiler on November 28, 2019, 09:57:56 AM
Always best to cure then freeze but sometimes if I don't have time I'll freeze the fresh roe in zip lock bag completely surrounded in water (remove all the air).
I thaw it out at a later date then use the same borax / procure method that I use on fresh roe.
it's important that you let the eggs thaw out in a sieve over a bucket instead of soaking in it's own melted ice.
Fresh roe cured then used right away is always the best.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: RICHARD CRANIUM on November 28, 2019, 11:39:08 AM
For this recipe, you will need:

1 quart water

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of NON-iodized salt (Pickling salt)

1 cup of borax (20 Mule Team type.

2 tablespoons of Pautzki fire cure powdered red . Be careful with this cupcakes... it readily stains anything it touches! Wear gloves when using the coloring or this brine, or else you have pink hands for a few days!


2 tablespoons of krill powder.




First of all, split your egg skeins lengthwise (Butterfly) It's easiest to cut down the portion of the skein without the membrane and lay the sac open.

Next, with THE EXCEPTION of the eggs, bring ALL of the above ingredients to a boil in a pot.
 Make sure to stir frequently!!!!!!

After the mixture has been boiled and all contents are dissolved, cool the mixture to a luke-warm temperature and then place your eggs in the brine. Allow the eggs to soak for about twenty minutes, stirring about every 7 or 8 minutes.

When they are a bit rough to the touch ...
Then, remove the eggs from the mixture and drain on a rack.
Over night.

Once the eggs are relatively dry to the touch, roll them in plain borax and store in a plastic container.

I like to cut them into bait size chunks.
Mix them in a large ziplock bag with borax.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: clarki on November 28, 2019, 12:48:16 PM
For this recipe, you will need:

Geez, this recipe is more complicated and more work than the meals I cook for my family!  :)
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: ae_9 on November 28, 2019, 12:50:50 PM
also another vote to cure
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: greyghost on November 28, 2019, 03:28:20 PM
Geez, this recipe is more complicated and more work than the meals I cook for my family!  :)
Well when you make KD everyday it would be!!!! ;D

Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: clarki on November 28, 2019, 04:22:06 PM
Well when you make KD everyday it would be!!!! ;D
Not every day. Sometimes I mix it up with Hamburger Helper or Hungry Man dinners.   
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: RICHARD CRANIUM on November 30, 2019, 07:56:05 AM
It's time consuming.
But do you want a great cure?
I go to the Stamp every year and my roe ALWAYS  out fishes the guides roe.
Just say'n.
Title: Re: To cure or not to cure that is the question
Post by: Hike_and_fish on November 30, 2019, 10:02:30 AM
For this recipe, you will need:

1 quart water

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of NON-iodized salt (Pickling salt)

1 cup of borax (20 Mule Team type.

2 tablespoons of Pautzki fire cure powdered red . Be careful with this cupcakes... it readily stains anything it touches! Wear gloves when using the coloring or this brine, or else you have pink hands for a few days!


2 tablespoons of krill powder.




First of all, split your egg skeins lengthwise (Butterfly) It's easiest to cut down the portion of the skein without the membrane and lay the sac open.

Next, with THE EXCEPTION of the eggs, bring ALL of the above ingredients to a boil in a pot.
 Make sure to stir frequently!!!!!!

After the mixture has been boiled and all contents are dissolved, cool the mixture to a luke-warm temperature and then place your eggs in the brine. Allow the eggs to soak for about twenty minutes, stirring about every 7 or 8 minutes.

When they are a bit rough to the touch ...
Then, remove the eggs from the mixture and drain on a rack.
Over night.

Once the eggs are relatively dry to the touch, roll them in plain borax and store in a plastic container.

I like to cut them into bait size chunks.
Mix them in a large ziplock bag with borax.

I do the same thing expect the Krill powder and borax afterwards. I prefer wet cured eggs and I tie them in bags. I find with bags I'm able to tie single eggs sizes 14mm 12mm and do quite well. I've had way more hookups 9ver the years with dime size bags over globs of loose roe.