Livewell Care Winter/Spring Winner!!!!

[Andrew]

Most of the information in this post is from a article i read several years ago about the delayed mortality of bass that were released after tournaments were over. Just because a fish is still alive at a weigh in doesn't mean that fish is going to live to be caught another day. Several studies confirmed that delayed mortality runs as high as 33% or more following tournaments during the summer months. These high rates of delayed mortality can cause a biological problem on lakes with high angling pressure. I am sure that quite a bit of your area lakes would be considered high pressure lakes.

The best way to reduce delayed mortality is to take care of the fish in the livewell because if the bass are not cared for in the livewell, the treatment given to them at the weigh in won't matter.

Here is what the article says is the best way to insure your bass stay healthy after weigh in. I have used this for couple of years and it works great.


If the water is below 75 degrees, pump in fresh water continuously (not timed)

If the water is above 75 degrees, fill the livewell in a open lake area with good water quality. Then run the aerator pump continuously to keep the water oxygenated. Recirculate rather than pump in hot lake water. Use ice to cool the water and slow the metabolism of the fish. A frozen half gallon jug will cool a 15 gallon livewell about 10 degrees for three hours.

Also, add 1/3 cup of non iodized salt for every five gallons. This helps the bass maintain electrolyte balance and reduces stress. Rejuvenated or Catch & Release can be used as directed instead of salt.


After three hours, drain half of the livewell water and refill with fresh water. This removes toxins such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. Then add half the amount of ice and salt. Or, if your livewells are seperate you can fill up the other livewell not being used, put in the proper amount of ice and salt and move the fish over to the fresh water.

During the summer months i always have my livewell ready before blast off because when the first fish is caught i don't want that fish laying in the bottom of a dry livewell and then having to prepare the water with ice and salt. Also, when a fish is hooked deep and bleeding, i get the fish in the treated water as soon as possible and the fish is usually just fine. Treating the water with ice and salt also helps the fish that are caught deep that have swollen air bladders. These fish will float upside down for awhile or sometimes until weigh in but when they are released they swim off just fine.

We go out and spend thousands of dollars on our boats and equipment. Spend countless hours on the water pursuing these fish. With very little effort, we can keep these fish alive to be caught another day and help out lakes produce more and bigger bass.

[spetro]

Andrew...you da man!  GREAT POST!

[BASSINNMS]

I use a plastic storage container for a livewell, i need a few extra tips for my fish.   Good Post!!!

[Creel Limit Zero]

Great post, it sure doesn't take much time and effort to take care of them. 

[Fogy]

During the summer months i always have my livewell ready before blast off because when the first fish is caught i don't want that fish laying in the bottom of a dry livewell and then having to prepare the water with ice and salt.

Also durring the summer months the morning water brought in to your live well will be the coolest of the day. 

Great post by the way, thanks 

[Shawn Mertens]

That was a great post, and a good reminder for the new tournament year.

[POE]

add 1/3 cup of non iodized salt for every five gallons. this will work just like Rejuvenated or Catch & Release? if so i will just start doing this.

[Andrew]

I haven't lost a fish in 3 years of using the salt and ice method above. Rejuvenade and Catch n Release are good stuff also and i have used them but i have no problem my way. This info above came out of a bassmaster mag a few years ago. I've used it since then with great results. There are a few things that have to work together to help the fish stay unstressed. Along with the salt/rejuvenade        you have aeration, fresh water, and ice in the summer all having to do with it. Just dropping some rejuvenade in there isn't going to keep the fish healthy and stress free unless all these other things are done properly also.

[JEVSkeeter]

Derby'sators are a fantastic way to help your fish. They are not cheap however if you fish a lot or do derbys you should invest in them.

I have used the Oxygenators for nine month through summer, fall, and winter and they make a big difference. I have had fish in the livewell most of the day and they still are trying to jump out at the end of the day. I am not sponsored or on pro-staff, even though I wish I was!!!!!

[Bassinkorea]

I use a plastic storage container for a livewell, i need a few extra tips for my fish.   Good Post!!!

 
I am now starting to build my livewell, I have found some ample sized plastic storage containers. I will put it in my boat as a permanant fixture. My question is, do I need to insulate the livewell or will keeping it out of direct sunlight and topping it up with ice be enough 

[POE]

i would take some styrofoam and insulate the tops and sides that will make a big difference in the temperature

[mclem07]

Excellent info... Do you have any info on keeping a samll bass in an aquarium?