Quest Outdoors

FishOn13 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject: Egg Cure Question

I could use some help Im leaving for New York in a couple of days and I am using a cure called Alaskan Bait Cure it turns the eggs flourescent orange I saw guys using this up in Michigan and it seemed like it held its color real well. Well I did everything I was told to do I cut the skein into chunks patted them dry and then rolled them around in the cure. It says that you are supposed to let the eggs sit for 12 hrs I did this I put them in the fridge for 12 hours and it seems that I did not get the color I wanted too. Did I do anything wrong? Any help?
Thanks

Adam · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject:

The way most cure works is that the eggs are supposed to dry out and firm up a bit (air dry in the fridge usually works) then you roll them in the cure and the eggs swell up and "suck in" the cure along with the dye. If it doesn't work for you, I would try to dry them out a little more. Some cures you have to mix with water and others you don't - not sure which type yours is. the ones you mix with water you have to really dry the roe out before hand so they look like frozen peas. Then toss them in the brine and they swell up and such. Another alternative to store-bought cure is just Borax with red or orange food colouring. Mix the borax with water (1:8 in warm water) and add the coloured dye.

Other than that I'm not sure what to tell you. Personally I like to free the eggs from the skien and tie them in sacs - skien chunks just don't seem to hold well enough for me. Maybe try to separate them from the skien if you can because it may be preventing them from absorbing it a bit (just a guess).

downtime · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

Was the fish bled that you cured the eggs from?? That can make a big difference in the apperence of eggs. Blood shot eggs will dis-color your final product and the scent doesn't help much either from a fishes perspective. A lot of the eggs I cure up for king fishing look terrible only after 12-14hrs in the egg cure. The eggs will be kind of deflated and dis-colored. Once they suck up the juice they should turn what ever whatever the color of the cure is. Only other thing I can think of is, how much cure was used.

If you used too much it can totally ruin the eggs, or if you use too little the eggs will hardly get any color. A fairly easy way to make sure you have enough is put the eggs in the container your curing them with, start with a small amount on the bottom and put a layer of eggs in, put your cure on and rub the cure in make sure it turns to juice. Put another layer in and do the same. Once you have put all the eggs in let the eggs sit for a bit and see how much juice fills up the container. I will just keep adding small amounts of cure while rubbing it into the eggs until the juice fills the top.

FishOn13 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject:

No the fish were not bled I got them from a friend of my dads, Well if this cure doesnt work though I also have some single eggs tied in sacks and a whole bunch of flies so It should really be that big of a deal. Hopefully 1 of us will land a fresh hen so I can get some fresh eggs the first day. Well thanks for your help guys.

pin4life · Adult Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Wisconsin

If you noticed your eggs were not your desired color at 12 hrs you could always leave them in a little longer untill you get the product you want. Also if you are looking for bright, deep colors, pro-cure has never failed me. After a little experimenting you will figure it out. Good luck

Defjam · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject: Procure and salt

I used the procure in bright orange. Here's what I do. They hold up well, I'm using eggs now that are over a year old and not having problem with deflation due to freezing or catching steelies on them.

Lay down a few plastic bags and on top butterfly open a few paper grocery bags to use as an absorbent.

Seperate the roe from the skein.

Smooth the roe out, sorta like spread icing on a cake, to a layer that is about 2-5 eggs deep (depending on the size of the roe) and sprinkle the procure lightly over the eggs. Come back with a medium dusting of table salt. Let the eggs sit.

10 minutes later, use paper towels and soak up water. Move eggs around and get as much of it as possible.

Reapply a little more pro cure and table salt. Test the eggs for firmness.
Keep repeating untill you get the firmness you desire and soak up all the water. Pack tightly in individual baggies, get rid of the air, and throw in fridge for later use.

I like my eggs a little more on the firmer side. They are easier to work with when tying the sacs and they turn back to soft when in the water for a few drifts. If you salt them up too much, they will turn quite hard, like marbles. I've done this on accident with no ill effects once they hit the water for a bit. One thing that heavy salt cured eggs will do, they'll last forever in the fridge.

Try experimenting with a little anise oil (a little!) in the mix. You'll see the effects it has on the fish.

Domenic

Ken (speyday) Crowne · Adult Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 97

Ive messed with a couple of different cures that actually seemed to darken the eggs; like the original color would have been better..........but after a minute in the water, they brighten up like you wouldn't believe......they turned flo. after being exposed to the water. Maybe this is one example of them.