I used to use fresh herring almost exclusively. I have been using frozen more and more as of late. The fresh I buy at Pt. Defiance boathouse don't have many scales when you get them and sure don't stay on very long, and you don't have the same control over the size as you do with frozen. No matter if it's fresh or frozen it get brined,I love the way it toughens the bait, it also seems to help keep the scales on.

As for size, green is the smallest I would buy. They can always be made to appear smaller.
And I always use larger sizes in estuarys. I also like the Idea of black in the ocean, (mentioned earlier) the extra flash and visisability of large herring should not be discounted in brackish or big water.

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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
Winston Churchill

"So it goes." Kurt Vonnegut jr.