Capt. Jim Sabella’s uses a dead-bait rig for fishing with cigar minnows that have been frozen and thawed.
The more technically accurate name for the cigar minnow is “round scad” and the scientific name is decapterus puncatus. The jig in the baitfish’s nose holds it securely and keeps it running straight and true to prevent tangles, twisting and washout.
The biggest trick to fishing successfully with these piscatorial “popsicles” is making sure they are completely thawed before putting them on the hook. The baitfish should be rippled while gripping it between the thumb and forefinger to make sure the backbone is pliable before it is hooked through the chin and trolled.
Using frozen cigar minnows instead of catching live baitfish can save tons of fishing time. Buying frozen baitfish costs more money than catching them, but anglers can always catch cigar minnows by jigging with gold-hook rigs over bottom structure and freeze them for future use. Cigar minnows also work well as live baits, but require an aerated livewell to keep them humidor fresh.
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