Anyone tried frozen bait as food?

[Logan487]

Hey all,

Was wondering if anyone has ever tried frozen bait for their fish since the freezing process kills the bad stuff typically associated with live bait? I recently found a site that sells frozen silversides and other typical saltwater baits, even up to whole herring for a lot better than the LFS near me does that tends to gouge things. (3x online on average). Was thinking about ordering but wondered if there was any cons to this anyone knew of vs the traditional silversides.

(Can provide link, but held off given I was not sure how rules go about posting links)

 

[tlindsey]

cons to this anyone knew of vs the traditional silversides.

Tbh I personally don't know but fed the traditional silver sides.
I also fed frozen smelt from regular grocery store without issues.

 

[duanes]

I'm not so sure freezing kill all parasites, phages, and bacteria.
Many bacteria and other primitive species go inert in winter, and reawaken in spring.

 

[dmyersWv]

I've done this and not had any issues. I started using the cheapest frozen taliapa I can get on sale. The fish like it and its human grade so I don't have to worry about parasites.
Using boonworms as a treat 5 pound dried for $30 at tractorsupply.com.

 

[jjohnwm]

I've done this many times, never had a problem. In my area at least, frozen baitfish are available either salted or not; I would use only the plain ones.

If you plan on using this as a major portion of your fishes' diet, you also need to be aware of the thiaminase issue. Some of the literature even claims that thiaminase levels are increased in frozen vs fresh fish. I would research the species of frozen fish that is available to you carefully.gearing

 

[Midwater]

From the few sources that I can find, it appears that tilapia is low in Thiaminase.

 

[dmyersWv]

I haven't had any issues. I only feed taliapa 2 times a week. Pellets the other 3 days with 2 days no food once adult size.

 

[krichardson]

Tbh I personally don't know but fed the traditional silver sides.
I also fed frozen smelt from regular grocery store without issues.

Ive used those as well in the past

 

[Omrit]

I've done this many times, never had a problem. In my area at least, frozen baitfish are available either salted or not; I would use only the plain ones.

If you plan on using this as a major portion of your fishes' diet, you also need to be aware of the thiaminase issue. Some of the literature even claims that thiaminase levels are increased in frozen vs fresh fish. I would research the species of frozen fish that is available to you carefully.gearing

Why would they salt a baitfish?

 

[dmyersWv]

Everything tastes better with salt!