I'm assuming its fresh frozen or just forget it this time of year. A great trick is something i call helicopter herring. Cut the herring with one long diagonal cut from just behind the head to the blow hole. Hook them and cast out. As they sink , the odd shape (one end a head or tail and the other end to a point) makes the bait spiral down spinning (helicopter). This pecular action attracts fish.
Of course I seldom chuck bait but its not really bait ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g if you use a clever trick like this.
