I decided to test the frozen shad theory a couple of days ago. I took a package of shad from the freezer (vacuum sealed) and then caught plenty of fresh gizzards when I got to the lake.




Caught a couple of GIANTS too....




I fished with 4 rods, 2 with fresh shad and 2 with the frozen, and alternated every time a fish was caught so that I didn't have any specific side of the boat with one or the other. The fish were on and the results where almost dead even.










I caught 14 or 15 fish and I think the frozen shad ended up with one more than the fresh. The majority of the fish were between 4 and 9 pounds. My biggest (19 pounds) came on the frozen. I basically couldn't tell the difference.

Overall, what works for me is vacuum sealing them as soon as I get home. I like to try to keep them alive in my livewell, but this particular batch didn't make it home alive last week. I had too many of them in the tank to keep them alive, although it didn't seem to matter to the fish.

a tested theory and food for thought!

Really neet sir, great pix too. Looks like a really bad day at the lake lol. Sorry you had such a hard time reeling all this fish in lol. All kidding aside those fish all look really nice and healthy too. You just remember to save some for next time lol. The old saying is you save some for seed!

Way to Geno. The smiles tell the story!

Good work Geno!

Did you wipe them off, or put anything with them before vac pack?

Was the bite quick enough that they were staying frozen/fairly solid, or do you think the vac pack keeps them more solid?

Stuff that I had frozen in just zip lock bags in the past would quickly go to mush - but they were smaller.


Ken

A couple days in a cooler with ice. I've done the test, like mentioned above, just for kicks.

Although, our results were much different. Fresh outfished frozen at least 12 to 1, and it was a 150 fish day on Arrowhead, in Jan 2014. They were very aggressive and virtually wanted no part of the frozen Shad. No fish over 10lbs ate the frozen either. Our big 5 were 38, 34, 33, 30, and 28. 3 of those fish ate Drum filets over Shad, also. Which I found interesting. After that, I started keeping Drum for bait. For whatever reason, big fish really like Drum. Flatheads included. Occasionally I catch Flatheads on cut Shad. But they will hammer fresh chunked Drum. It doesn't out fish live bait for Flatheads, but its my #2.

Ken, they stayed solid all day. I don't wipe them off or add anything to them. I think the key is getting them vacuum sealed and into the freezer asap.

G Love, I'm going to do the same test each time I go this season. I'm curious if the fish start to have a preference once the water temp drops. They didn't seem to the other day but the could easily change. I agree with you on the drum. I love getting fresh drum.

Rowdy, I definitely sent them all back to grow another day. I don't really keep too many once the fall starts. Occasionally, if we're low on filets, I'll keep a few eaters but for the most part I practice CPR. We definitely don't keep anything over ten pounds.

I was desperate for bait as a kid and always caught a lot of drum. I kept one and froze it. I cut it up for bait and it was the best bait I'd found. Carp works well also.