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Live well - Keeping bait alive
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:16 pm
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:16 pm
I am working on tweaking the live well on my boat. Currently, I have an aerator which pumps surface water into my live well. My tank is about 40 gallon tank with a plastic liner insert I added (for shrimp). I can keep shrimp alive for two days or so but, croakers are having difficulty making it through a day on the water.
After talking to my bait guy, he had a few interesting thoughts. He suggested there is pros and cons to both. The air pumps allow the water consistency and temp to remain the same. However, ammonia can build up and kill the croakers. The water pumps add new water to the surface and help reduce ammonia builds up – but subjects the bait to the conditions of your surface water. He says to get a high power aerator that just pushes new air into the same water to make the bait last longer. He said to run the water pump a few times a day when over cooler water to allow for new water to be introduced to the bait well.
I am about to add a 12 volt double power bubbles to the tank and run the tubes to the bottom. Anyone had any success with one v. the other? any advice to keeping bait alive longer or tank modifications?
I am going to add the bubbles machine anyway – for the sole purpose of being able shut off the water pump when in nasty water or when on the lift/trailer and still keep the bait alive.
After talking to my bait guy, he had a few interesting thoughts. He suggested there is pros and cons to both. The air pumps allow the water consistency and temp to remain the same. However, ammonia can build up and kill the croakers. The water pumps add new water to the surface and help reduce ammonia builds up – but subjects the bait to the conditions of your surface water. He says to get a high power aerator that just pushes new air into the same water to make the bait last longer. He said to run the water pump a few times a day when over cooler water to allow for new water to be introduced to the bait well.
I am about to add a 12 volt double power bubbles to the tank and run the tubes to the bottom. Anyone had any success with one v. the other? any advice to keeping bait alive longer or tank modifications?
I am going to add the bubbles machine anyway – for the sole purpose of being able shut off the water pump when in nasty water or when on the lift/trailer and still keep the bait alive.
This post was edited on 5/20/13 at 3:18 pm
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:19 pm to Mako
The two main things that I try to do to keep bait alive is to keep the salinity the same and keep the water in the tank cool.
Only way to keep the salinity the same (or close to the same) is to add or change small amounts of water.
There are a number of ways to cool the water.
Only way to keep the salinity the same (or close to the same) is to add or change small amounts of water.
There are a number of ways to cool the water.
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:24 pm to Mako
Do croaker throw up like pogies? If so you need to purge the water a few times. I can't ever recall having problems keeping croaker alive but we have never had a bunch of them at once. I would think some ice would help keep them alive also.
I also wonder if shrimp may just be easier to keep alive than croakers. Shrimp may be heartier when it comes to boat rides and sloshing around?
I also wonder if shrimp may just be easier to keep alive than croakers. Shrimp may be heartier when it comes to boat rides and sloshing around?
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:28 pm to Mako
Are you using a net to take bait out?
Serious question.
ETA: What is the shape of the well? Is it rounded, ovular?
Serious question.
ETA: What is the shape of the well? Is it rounded, ovular?
This post was edited on 5/20/13 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 5/20/13 at 3:31 pm to Mako
take a few ozaka water bottles freeze them over night and put them in the live well.
I also do this for my regular ice chest in the summer and it makes the ice last alot longer. 2-3 of those at the bottom of the cooler and you will be set.
I also do this for my regular ice chest in the summer and it makes the ice last alot longer. 2-3 of those at the bottom of the cooler and you will be set.
Posted on 5/20/13 at 6:37 pm to Mako
Another thing that we do is when we go fishng we bring out a bunch of plastic containers (Tupperware for instance). Get fresh salt water wherever your fishing. Bring back and freeze. Next day bring a couple in the ice chest and put in the live well every now and then.
Posted on 5/20/13 at 6:41 pm to Mako
put condoms around each finger and carefully pick them out, make sure they aren't lubricated though
Posted on 5/21/13 at 10:08 am to Mako
Thanks for the tips, I like the idea of asking for the croakers the night before fishing - knowing that they were caught 20 hours prior rather than a few hours before buying them.
Posted on 5/21/13 at 1:08 pm to Mako
quote:
but subjects the bait to the conditions of your surface water. He says to get a high power aerator that just pushes new air into the same water to make the bait last longer. He said to run the water pump a few times a day when over cooler water to allow for new water to be introduced to the bait well.
This is the key. Dont know jack about salt, but in fresh your better off feeling the well when you get away from the landing in the morning before the surface heats up and loses oxygen and recirculating that water than pumping in surface water all day.
Posted on 5/21/13 at 1:23 pm to Mako
quote:
I have an aerator which pumps surface water into my live well.
quote:
The air pumps allow the water consistency and temp to remain the same
quote:
He said to run the water pump a few times a day when over cooler water to allow for new water to be introduced to the bait well.
All three, but get a timer for the water pumps.
Bass pro has them.
Posted on 5/21/13 at 1:27 pm to Mako
I have a Pro Air system in my Kenner Livewell and have great results keeping bait alive.
Posted on 5/23/13 at 6:04 am to Mako
Go to an aquarium store and ask for a water conditioner called "Prime". It drops out the ammonia and chlorines for the water. And keep the water cool (not cold) to help keep the dissolved oxygen content higher, I use frozen water bottles. No need to constantly change water on crokers or shrimp.
Posted on 5/23/13 at 7:31 am to Mako
Is an aerator enough to keep redfish alive if I ever fish a tournament? Just got a new boat that isn't set up with a livewell. I want to set it up with one in front of the console, but I don't think I'll be able to set it up to circulate fluid. I've never tried to keep redfish alive before, so I really don't know what it takes.
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