Walt-- brand names I am not sure of.But as a rule of thumb-When buying sardines/pilchards do the following. Open the box and turn the bait upside down-if on the bottom side is a frozen blood/water layer ( does not look like the top of the box when you opened it) it means that the bait has already been defrosted and frozen again. Keep digging in the freezer and try get a box that looks the same on top and bottom.
Also when you open the box and you rub your hand over the bait and the skin comes off easily ( old bait, maybe not defrosted but long time in the freezer).
Lastly look at the eyes of the bait you are buying--If they have shrunken back into the head or are very dull you know it is old.
Now not to waste bait, a good bait box is a def yes ( I use a safari chiller)Place your bait ( rolled in newspaper) with an ice brick in the bottom of the box. Take out only the required amount of bait for a short while and let it defrost( if required ).
By doing that after a days fishing the unused bait is still in good condition and be used again.
