I finally got the chance to try out Bob's recipe for "world's best eggs" but I just want to make sure I'm doing it right...

After the 30 mins in the brine, what should the texture of the skein be like? I couldnt tell if I overdid it or not...and I followed the recipe almost to the t

Lastly, how big a hunk should I be cutting the skein up into? I've heard to just quarter them but also have heard to cut the skein in 2 (butterfly style) and then quarter.

Eggs should be firm when they come out. I usually just butterfly mine and cut into bait sized hunks later.

A word of caution, I've had several folks email that have used the commerical grade borax and they've turned hard. If you use the fine powder borax, cut your cure time in half!

Bob,

I was using "20 Mule Team" brand of Borax that I got from the grocery store. Its a pretty fine powder.

They were firm when they came out but how do you know if they're overdone? Do they get hard like dried peas? Fortuneatly, I pulled them out before that point.

The 20 Mule Team is the variety that is usually used in the recipe ... it's not near as fine as the type you often find at bait stores. I don't really know why, but they seem to have different drying qualities.

If they seem too firm with the amount of time you did the first batch at, cut the time back a little next time around

As with anything I guess, a few tries and some patience and I imagine I'll get the feel for it.

one last thing, is it better to add some scent to the mix before curing or to the finished product when baiting up?

thanks for the help Bob!

Bluenote - Anymore questions and Big Bob is going to send you a bill!

I generally add scent to my eggs after they're cured but before I use them. I generally squirt each chunk of cured egg skien with shrimp or anise oil. I let them soak for a hour or so and then put them in a Mason jar and vacum seal it. I leave them in the fridg for a day or two to allow the oil to penetrate the eggs. I then use them or toss them in the freezer.

But I also know some folks add scent to the sugar/salt/borax curing solution. Either way will work but adding scent to the curing solution will stink up your kitchen pretty effectivily.....

Bluenote, I suggest you don't add scents to the brine cures. That way it allows for trying different ones added out on the river until you match the bite mood that day. Put bait oils right on the eggs and some on the yarn and they will stay on effectively. You can reapply more about every third cast or so to freshen up the bait. I think that's better than adding it during the curing process, with either brine or powdered commercial cures such as Pro Glow or Pro Cure.

As for over staying them in the brine too long to make the eggs too hard I suggest cutting down the time in the brine like Bob said, so they retain more softness and milking ability. Then the day before you use them you can dry them harder for fast water use or leave them moist for slow water use. my .02

I would suggest that you do not add any scent Oils, as the oil causes the to break down and not fish as well. The scents without oil will not do that.

Good tip "eggho"

Yes, Stew, that was an awesome tip!

I in fact, have loads of awesome tips to share. The problem is, most were suggested by somebody else, but I like to take credit for them.


"This is a private e-mailing. I legally request it to be kept that way; thus public revelation or forwarding will bring legal recourse."

Usually, that means I'll threaten to kick your a#@, or at least send someone else to.

Good one RT!! your back again??????

thanks for the advice...since I dont catch fish a whole lot, I thought it best to make sure my bait is close to being right...one less variable.

I thought adding scent later made more sense as well...must have been a brain fart wanting to add scent to the cure.

gook luck to all and thanks again!