How to Make smelts tougher for trolling.

[hookedagain55]

Would anyone know how to make lake smelts stronger to use for bait , I tried to put them in different solutions and even injected into the belly with a needle , still after a year they are soft and seem to fall apart when used with an anchovies head behind a spin doctor.

Maybe just a waste of time trying.

Thanks

[chinook35]

After a year ??  They would never keep that long   Turn to mush 

[hookedagain55]

They did not turn to mush, they seem to last for bout an hour of trolling then start to fall apart. 

[McWally]

Pro cure brine and dye might help. I think you are suppose to treat the bait prior to freezing though.