![Sardine Wrap](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sardine-Wrap.jpg?resize=680%2C510&ssl=1)
Not many things work better for river kings than a sardine-wrapped plug!
For some reason, there seems to be a lot of mystery out there regarding sardine-wrapped plugs for salmon. It may be a bit intimidating to the uninitiated, but there’s really nothing to it. Here’s a quick crash course on how to do it.
![Sardine](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sardine.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
It all starts with good bait!
You have to start with fresh bait. The bagged, mushy kind just won’t cut it. I catch my own, brine them on the boat and then vacuum seal and freeze ’em. You want a firm, bright bait with all its scales intact.
![Cutting the Sardine](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Cutting-the-Sardine.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
Next, a quick fillet job…
Take a sharp knife behind the sardine’s head and make a cut down to the backbone. When you hit the spine, turn the blade flat an cut a fillet from the side of the fish.
![Cut of sardine](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Cut-of-sardine.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
Now, just flip it over and do the same thing on the other side
![Sardine Wraps](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sardine-Wraps.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
Time to make some sardine pants!
Cut the fillet into sections. How large a piece you use depends on the size of the plug. In this case, I was wrapping smaller K14 and M2 sized plugs, so the pieces need to be smaller so as to not overwhelm the lure’s action. Using a pair of scissors, make a cut down the center line down each piece so that they look like little pairs of “pants.”
![Fire Cured Sardine Wraps](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Firecure.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
Fire Cure will preserve wraps and give them extra scent
At this point, you are ready to roll…simply place the baits on the belly of a plug and wrap it on with stretchy thread. However, you can also do some “aftermarket” upgrading too…Lately, I have been making my wraps the night before fishing and then sprinkling some Pautzke’s Fire Cure egg cure on them and letting them sit in a plastic tub overnight in the fridge. The cure toughens the baits, gives them extra color and, of course, you get that great sodium sulfate scent (+ krill and others) that kings love.
![Sardine Wrapped plugs](https://i0.wp.com/fishwithjd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sardine-WRapped-plugs.jpg?resize=680%2C508&ssl=1)
The finished product…
Now, wrapped up and cured, these plugs are ready to go!