Frozen Bunker (Menhaden): The Oily Powerhouse of Saltwater Bait

The Ultimate Guide to Fishing with Frozen Bunker

Why Frozen Bunker is a Top Choice

Menhaden (bunker or pogy) are keystone forage fish in coastal ecosystems along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Their abundance and high nutritional value (particularly oils and fats) make them a preferred meal for many game fish. Frozen bunker retains much of this natural appeal, providing a convenient and highly effective bait option year-round.

Understanding Bunker: The Angler's Advantage

Atlantic Menhaden (*Brevoortia tyrannus*) and Gulf Menhaden (*Brevoortia patronus*) are small, oily, filter-feeding fish. Their schooling behavior makes them a concentrated food source. As bait, their value lies in their strong scent, oily flesh that disperses well in water, and the fact that they are instantly recognizable as food by predatory species.

Sourcing and Ensuring Quality Frozen Bunker

At Wholesale.Fishing, we prioritize quality. Our frozen bunker is typically blast-frozen shortly after being caught to lock in freshness, natural oils, and scent. High-quality frozen bunker should appear silvery (though some natural darkening can occur with freezing), have firm flesh when thawed, and be free from strong ammonia odors which indicate spoilage prior to freezing. Minimal scale loss and intact bodies are also good signs.

Thawing and Preparing Your Frozen Bunker

• Thawing: For best results, thaw bunker slowly in a cooler with ice, or in the refrigerator. Avoid leaving it in direct sun or warm temperatures for long periods, as the oils can cause it to spoil quickly.
• Keeping it Fresh Onboard: Once thawed, keep bunker on plenty of ice in a well-insulated bait cooler. Handle with clean hands to avoid contamination.
• Cutting Techniques:
  • Whole: Smaller bunker can be used whole for trolling, drifting, or targeting very large predators.
  • Chunks (Steaks): The most common preparation. Cut the bunker crosswise into 1-3 inch thick "steaks." The head, mid-section, and tail chunks are all effective.
  • Strips/Fillets: For smaller baits or tipping jigs, you can fillet the bunker and cut the flesh into strips.
  • Butterfly: Split the bunker along its back, remove the backbone (optional), and splay it open. This creates a large, fluttery bait.

Effective Rigging Techniques for Frozen Bunker

The rigging method depends on your target species and fishing style:

1. Chunking:
   • Use a fish-finder (slip sinker) rig for casting from shore or boat. Hook a bunker chunk securely through the meaty part, ensuring the hook point is exposed.
   • For drifting chunks, a simple leader with an appropriately sized circle hook is often all that's needed, allowing the chunk to drift naturally with the current.
2. Whole Bunker:
   • For trolling, rig whole bunker on specialized bait bridles, chin-weighted rigs, or with tandem hooks.
   • For live-lining fresh-dead bunker, hook through the lips (from bottom jaw up through the top) or through the nostrils.
3. Hook Choice: Circle hooks (sizes 5/0 to 10/0 or larger, depending on chunk size and target) are highly recommended for bunker fishing. They result in more jaw hooksets, which is better for the fish and reduces lost fish. Strong J-hooks can also be used.

Using Bunker for Chumming

Bunker is unparalleled for creating an effective chum slick. It can be ground, cut into small pieces, or used in frozen chum blocks/logs. The oil slick and particles will draw fish from a wide area, significantly increasing your chances of a hookup when fishing with bunker chunks or other baits in the slick.

Best Times to Use Frozen Bunker

Frozen bunker is a versatile bait that can produce year-round. It's particularly deadly during the spring and fall migrations of striped bass and bluefish. It's also a prime bait for summer shark fishing, cobia runs, and whenever large predators are feeding on menhaden schools.