Shelf life of frozen chicken necks?

[mikehn]

I have a bunch of frozen necks that are probably two years old, maybe even older. Do you think these are still good? Or should I discard and get new ones? I know they are cheap but I still hate to waste them. Thanks.

[racn35]

the crabs have no idea how long you had them.......

[BowMovements]

If you want to try them in traps I'de say go for it. They are easy to re-bait. But for a line go with fresh. Too much labor to be wrong.

[flats cat]

If they were nice and fresh when frozen they should be fine.

[redbeard]

no ,do not use them they are too old and won't catch. if you want i'll pick them up and dispose of for you.

[bayhead]

No ....let me have them - I have a special way of disposing of them (First I tie them up then drown 'em)- you don't want to take any chances that they might be harmful to the environment. Hah!

[Croakers]

Use them, then bring the crabs to the shop. Don't want no little cheesey crabs now, want them big rusty Jimmies, the kind I learned you how to catch.:D T.

[whynot]

If you using traps experiment 50 /50 and get back to us . I would love to hear your results since this comes up every year .

Freezer burn is probably the key . Would you prefer a fresh steak or one with freezer burn after 2 years. You may catch crabs . HOW MANY IS THE KEY AND AT WHAT COST

I had a friend I took crabbing with me and he brought along a 2 year old frozen trot line that was baited with eels . It sure looked good but I still didn't want to use it because of my previous bad experiences trying to save a few bucks using old frozen bait .[Guys right next to me with fresh bait doing twice as good .] He convinced me too anyway ,so we tied his 600' to the end of my 600' freshly baited neck line.
Results 3 hrs 3 bushel /necks 3crabs /old frozen eels They were basically untouched . I know ,maybe they didn't want eels that day . I DOUBT IT

I feed all my old baits to the gulls at the end of each year as a reward for showing me where the fish are .

You can cut your cost by selling them to the guys above that wanted them half price.:D:D

Also look at the freezer room you save and with the cost of electricity like it is you probably are spending more to keep them frozen for 6 months .

There are people that keep there bait chest running all winter to save 40 lbs $18 of necks . It's not practical anymore with elec . costs

Tony

[mikehn]

Use them, then bring the crabs to the shop. Don't want no little cheesey crabs now, want them big rusty Jimmies, the kind I learned you how to catch.:D T.

I might take you up on this. We need to hook up and talk some trash anyways.

[Croakers]

Come on over and have a beer one evening. I'm heavy into casting lead bullets right now. Bet you wish you had those primes that you gave me back, right about now.:D Tried to find any primers lately? Like looking for hens teeth. Better save those necks, may have to eat them the way we're headed.

[triplef]

Necks are cheap!.. fresh give off more oil into the water. I always do better with fresh. Why take the chance?

[redbeard]

i don't freeze my ch. nx. i salt them down like eels. buy the salt at farmers coop. salt down 80# at a time, lasts about 1 month before i use it up. i need all my freezer space for my trotlines.

[lance644]

Fortunately I can get a fresh box, not frozen, one at a time. At 40# I will make 2 lines, one to use fresh then 1 goes it the freezer fore the next week or 2. seems to work quite well.
Lance

[Capt. Dale]

i don't freeze my ch. nx. i salt them down like eels. buy the salt at farmers coop. salt down 80# at a time, lasts about 1 month before i use it up. i need all my freezer space for my trotlines.

Red,
I use to salt my Cnx also when I crabbed full time.
But now I have an extra frig. A lot less work and Fresh is still better that salted.
As you know salt draws all the blood out thus loosing a lot of scent!

[redbeard]

i haven't noticed much difference in the way they catch over all capt dale . after a few runs the necks look fresh and new and i like having alot of bait avalibe all the time. once i salt them the blood does draw out but i leave the blood - salt brine in there to soak. by the way, i'm going to use clams this year for the first time and just finished setting up my equipment for them , can't wait.