Im having a hard time making big skeins into bait sized peices, that stay together,and dont fall apart, I dont hav a problem with smaller skeins, Im not sure how to split, and cut big skeins, I know theres a way to do it, the guides do it. please help, Im good at curing them, I typically cut them off the skein when Im fishing,it just makes a big mess in the boat.

Why not just cut with scissors then cure.

Actually I think it's a good idea to cure up sections of skein rather than small clusters. I filet quarter each skein before curing. That gives you the flexability to cut them the size you want for the fish and water conditions you are targeting - either the night before or right out on the river.

The bigger skeins are often looser and come apart easier because they are closer to maturity when harvested. In that case it's best to dry them out a little longer to toughen them a bit more. And also roll them in borax after drying to further toughen really loose mature skeins. You can also cut looser egg clusters a little bigger than normal and double wind them in the hook's egg loop. That will give them a bit longer usability.

RT

After you butterfly the skein, "shave" off the loose eggs until you get down to where they have a better attachment to the outer membrane. Now cure the whole she-bang, loose eggs and skeins. After draining, treat your skeins as desired, and set aside the loose ones for tying up spawn sacs. The loose cured eggs make great baits when you tie them up in nylon mesh and make sacs out of them.

Good idea on the spawn sacks Dan s. I have tried this myself with succes.I also think it might help with more hookups.I think the netting can get caught in the fishes teeth,making it harder for them to spit it out if your not real quik on the hook set.I also think if you dry your eggs too much your defeating the purpose of using them.They wont milk as well,thus not get as much sent in the water.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: HntnFsh ]