How to Tie or Make Spawn Bags for Salmon Fishing

Spawn bags are a type of bait frequently use by salmon anglers. Each bag is made of a piece of fine mesh folded around a number of cured fish eggs to form a cluster of eggs that stays on the hook. The spawn bag offers a more attractive bait to hungry salmon with a good scent profile and highly visible color. To keep the spawn bag up off the bottom and suspended in the water, small foam floats are sometimes added. Spawn bags are simple to make, with each bag taking around 2 or 3 minutes to put together.

Instructions

1 Place about 1 lb. of the fresh salmon or trout eggs in a disposable plastic container. Add the amount of egg brine, according to manufacturer directions, to the eggs. Close the lid tightly on the container. Swish the container around to mix the eggs and brine. Let the eggs steep in the brine for one hour, swishing them around every 10 minutes.
2 Pour the eggs into the strainer to remove any excess brine. Lay some paper towels on a baking sheet. Pour the eggs onto the towels. Wearing rubber gloves, spread the eggs out on the towels. Refrigerate the eggs uncovered for 24 hours. Place the eggs back in the cleaned and dried plastic container.
3 Place a square of spawn bag mesh on the baking sheet. Measure 1 tsp. of eggs onto the center of the spawn bag mesh. Place any spawn bag floats on the mesh, if desired.
4 Fold the corners of the spawn bag mesh around the eggs and floats. Twist the mesh above the eggs to close the bag. Wrap the twisted mesh with the elastic thread and tie it to seal the spawn bag. Trim the thread and mesh to just above the tie.
5 Insert the hook on your salmon rig through the center of the spawn bag. The mesh will keep the eggs and floats on the hook while the rig is being fished.

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