HOW TO KEEP FISH ALIVE ??

[TRITONMAN24]

Any helpfull hints on how to help keep fish alive in livewell this time of year ?? im using rejuvanate and putting frozen 20 oz bottles in and running pump alot ... still having 1-2 fish die on me ..... thanks

[big_un]

Keep the pumps on from the very first fish all the way to the end; never turn them off. Works for me everytime and I don't use any additives whatsoever. I do however keep a tupperware container full of rock salt; the kind you use for water softeners. If I gut hook one that I can't get out and he's bleeding; just cut the line, toss him in the livewell and add a few handfulls of the salt (3 or 4) and keep the pumps on. Haven't lost one yet with this trick!

[reelman]

Fill livewell early out from the launch a ways...add 4oz to livewell of hydrogen peroxide (cost 12 cents a dose!) after 1st keeper...upgrade recirc pumps to 700-800gph and leave the recirc on after bass #2...use both wells if ya got a couple over 3 pounds...also having a large enough ice chest like the new Igloo Island Breeze 26 qt..for 3-4 empty 20 ox drink bottles filled with frozen water...add one per hour after starting about 10am if ya have 2 keepers...
This all works well...I had my new livewell recir pump (AW 800) just stop after 2 days use...was about 11am...water temp last Saturday was 92-95.9 believe it or not...that was off the L 480 troll ducer...I caught it in time and filled the other well with hotter 11am water...dumped in 6 oz of hy pero and a bottle of frozen water and hour and the 1.58 bass MADE IT BACK TO THE LAKE in swimming shape! That one bass avoided a zip and got me 86 club points...it was so hot 14 showed and 5 zipped...some did not show (about 10) die to a Toledo Bend event and probably 3-5 were no shows due to the heat...we were smart enough to change weigh to 1:30pm from the usual 3pm...so many 90+ days ALL clubs should weigh at 1pm...or vote that way before takeoff...whole new world w/o those last 2 hours of the worst heat.
One guy last Sunday did not make the 3pm weigh and his fish were not weighed either...the heat got him.

[Mud Shark]

Guys, just FYI, I know the frozen water deal cools the water, but if you put ice in there, outside of the bottle, as it melts, the ice releases oxygen into the water, so you are cooling it and adding more oxygen to it. Just a thought.

[Gman24]

All above are good ideas, but here is what I do. Right bfore launch I empty 1 bag of ice in each of my livewells. I also plug both of my OVERFLOW drains in each livewell. This keeps the cooled water from leaving your livewells. As soon as u launch boat begin to fill each livewell. Remember to watch for your livewell to completely fill, because if u forget u will get a surprise where u plugged your overflow. Once filled I immediately turn on my recirc. to each livewell this will help even out the cooled water from the ice. Let them recirc for 5 to 10 minutes you can also go ahead and add rejuvenate or whatever brand you use. It is best to add this stuff and activate it before you place fish in there anyways. I also carry a couple of the 32 oz gatorade bottles that are filled with water and frozen in my cooler. Later in the day I may add 1 each to each livewell. I have also added pro air to both my livewells and run that as livewells recirc. U can leave recirc on auto or continuall depending on how hot of a day it is.

This has been very successful for me.

[jerzia]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TG37 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Guys, just FYI, I know the frozen water deal cools the water, but if you put ice in there, outside of the bottle, as it melts, the ice releases oxygen into the water, so you are cooling it and adding more oxygen to it. Just a thought.</td></tr></table>
It also releases chlorine which is a definite no no. When it gets real hot, before leaving the lake I fill some 2 liter bottles with lake water and then freeze them. That way, no chlorine. When I need to add ice, I get a utility knife, cut once around and the bottle comes apart, with a nice ice chunk left over.

[21XDC]

Just keep your pumps running more or full time. The fish live just fine their whole life in that water. Keep new water flowing in and your problems of dead fish will disapear. No need to cool the temps as when they are released they can/will go into shock and die later... So what good is that other than no dead fish penalty at the scale?

[Gman24]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jerzia &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
It also releases chlorine which is a definite no no. When it gets real hot, before leaving the lake I fill some 2 liter bottles with lake water and then freeze them. That way, no chlorine. When I need to add ice, I get a utility knife, cut once around and the bottle comes apart, with a nice ice chunk left over.</td></tr></table>,


As far as the chlorine, u r right chlorine is bad for fish but only if u were to fill your livewells completely with ice or just plain tap water. A bag of ice or just a frozen 2 liter bottle full of water only has a mi nute amount of chlorine. When u r talking 20-25 gallon livewells like most of the newer boats now, the amount of chlorine is diluted so much it doesn't even come close to affecting the fish. Just about all of the PROS use bags of ice for cooling livewell water.

[get5fast]

On the peroxide deal I like the sound of it working as opposed to the other expensive additives. Although I am unsure on how much to use. Some say you should only use a couple caps full and others say you should use 4 or 5 oz's. This is a big difference. How many of you guys use this and how much do you use?

[driftwood]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 21XDC &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Just keep your pumps running more or full time. The fish live just fine their whole life in that water. Keep new water flowing in and your problems of dead fish will disapear. No need to cool the temps as when they are released they can/will go into shock and die later... So what good is that other than no dead fish penalty at the scale? </td></tr></table>

Thats what we do, we never have dead fish even in dead of summer

[Flipping57]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by get5fast &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">On the peroxide deal I like the sound of it working as opposed to the other expensive additives. Although I am unsure on how much to use. Some say you should only use a couple caps full and others say you should use 4 or 5 oz's. This is a big difference. How many of you guys use this and how much do you use?
</td></tr></table>

4 oz per 10 gals of water per Doug Hannon.

[SWL_Justin]

A lot of good ideas listed here! Something I use and have been very impressed with is the V-T2 Livewell & Baitwell Ventilators. They are very inexpensive, currently $31 on sale. http://www.v-t2.com Install them once and be done with it. About the cheapest thing I have seen to keep your catch alive. I know a few dealers have them installed in their new boats on the lot. They are currently installed in my current boat, and I have some ready to install in my New Nitro when ever it gets built.

The V-T2 is an all natural, environmentally safe, and affordable method for cooling livewell/baitwell water, increasing aeration and dissolved oxygen, and reducing harmful metabolic waste (CO2 gas).

The V-T2 creates a fresh air flow throughout the livewell or baitwell. This air flow cools livewell/baitwell water and interiors, provides more aeration and oxygen, and expels harmful gases created by metabolic waste.

[reelman]

KAY, here is da BASS SAVING summary:

1...Got no $$$? Get 4 used 20 oz soft drink bottles and freeze water in them...toss in one an hour after 9-10am.
2...Got no $$$? Leave recirc pump on the highest auto setting all morning and ON all afternoon if over 2 bass.
3...Got no $$$? Fill the livewell early in the day from the cooler cleaner water not too close to the launch.
4...Got a dollar? Get a quart of Hydrogen Peroxide at Wally....add 4-6 oz. after putting ya 1st keeper in da well.
5...Got some $$$? Upgrade at least one livewell to 700-800gph pumps...about $30 plus install for an Attwood 800
6...Got more $$$? Replace all livewell pumps or add Vents and use special chemicals like da pros.

(another freebie.....using both livewells after a limit helps too)
Put a bottle of frozen water in the weigh bag and use only treated livewell water in the bag!

[jdk]

http://chattanoogafishingforum...art=1

[showdawg77]

The man that built my bait tank told me that clorine was minimal once it was frozen, I have never had a problem using Ice cubes in my bait tank or my livewell. I use frozen city/treated water as well with no problems, Rock Salt is as good as any store bought fish saver in my opinon, keep livewell temps between 65 -70 degrees leave the recirc on manual , put in big handful of rock salt & your mortality rate will be very near Zero , simple as that.

[Mark Perry]

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Here's the information that was provided to us by Fun-N-Sun at the pre tournament meeting for the recent Squaw Creek Tournament. This proactive plan to keep your catch healthy was created by the folks at Sure Life and has been used in several summer time tournaments with great results. Keep in mind the water temp at Squaw Creek was over 90 degrees for most of the lake and I don't know of a single fish that was not released alive.

In an effort to provide the best possible live release during tournaments; we are encouraging you to be proactive in addressing livewell conditions ALL DAY LONG. Although the weigh in procedure is critical, your handling of the fish throughout the day is even more critical, since the fish are in YOUR POSSESSION for the majority of the time. Please study the following suggestions and give them your utmost consideration.

1. In order to properly condition a livewell, you need to know the approximate volume of your livewell. We highly recommend that you measure the dimensions of your livewell(s) ahead of time to determine gallon volume. Use the following formula to determine the water capacity of your square or rectangular livewell. Using a measuring device (tape or ruler), multiply length times width times height of water in livewell (all in feet) times the constant 7.5. The result will be in gallons.
2. Fill livewell(s) early (shortly after takeoff) from good water in main body of lake. Do not fill livewell(s) or exchange water in creeks or coves and especially NOT at take off site. HELPFUL TIP: If you have separate livewells, fill first livewell early and store bags of ice in second livewell. This will help keep the primary livewell cool. Afterwards, if you need the second livewell, it will be easier to cool down. This method will also conserve your ice.
3. IMPORTANT!!!! Treat livewell with CATCH & RELEASE early and re-circulate for a couple of minutes to thoroughly mix. For tournaments use the following chart to determine proper amount of CATCH & RELEASE to add to your livewell. MAKE SURE YOU DOSE LIVEWELL BEFORE YOU START FISHING!!!!

GALLONS OF WATER CAPFUL(S) OF CATCH & RELEASE FROM 10 OZ. BOTTLE
10-15 Gallons 2 ½ Capfuls Of CATCH & RELEASE
20 Gallons 3 –3 ½ Capfuls Of CATCH & RELEASE
25-30 Gallons 5 Capfuls Of CATCH & RELEASE
50 Gallons 7 Capfuls Of CATCH & RELEASE

4. CRITICAL!!!LIVEWELL TEMPERATURES. Please keep your livewell(s) as close as possible to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. DO NOT LET LIVEWELL TEMPERATURES EXCEED 75 degrees Fahrenheit at any time. Check your thermometer OFTEN to make sure temperatures are in target range.
5. Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to livewell once you catch your FIRST FISH. The 3% hydrogen peroxide will provide adequate dissolved oxygen levels even if you experience livewell failure. Pay attention to the dosage rates below and do not exceed our recommendations. Repeat this procedure when you start to operate second livewell upon introduction of fish.

GALLONS OF WATER 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DOSAGE RATE
10-15 Gallons ½ Cupful (4 Fluid Ounces)
20 Gallons ¾ Cupful (6 Fluid Ounces)
25-30 Gallons 1 Cupful (8 Fluid Ounces)
50 Gallons 2 Cupfuls (16 Fluid Ounces)

6. If you catch a heavy load of fish, please exchange water in livewell at least once during the day and repeat cooling of water, dosing of CATCH & RELEASE and reapply hydrogen peroxide to livewell.
7. IMPORTANT!!!!!!!DO NOT. REPEAT. DO NOT PUMP IN FRESH WATER OR RECIRCULATE FRESH WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY. This will defeat the purpose of cooling the water down and applications of water conditioners. DO NOT OPERATE LIVEWELLS ON TIMED AERATION. KEEP LIVEWELLS ON MANUAL RECIRCULATION CONSTANTLY.
8. DO NOT FILL WEIGH IN BAGS FROM WATER OVER THE SIDE OF BOAT AT WEIGH IN SITE!!!! Fill bags with water from treated and cooled livewells. Dip bags in livewells to fill with water or pump water from livewell through pump out pumps directly to bags as they hang off side of boat. To fill bags with water from lake at this point will totally defeat the purpose of all the work you have done in that livewell throughout the day.
9. TIPS FOR DEEP HOOKED OR WOUNDED (BLEEDING) BASS: Wet hands and try to remove hook using “through the gill method” working quickly. Do not keep bass out of water for more than 40 seconds. If having difficulty, then place bass in livewell water between procedures and allow it to breathe for a few moments and resume task of hook removal. If bass has swallowed the hook, then cut the line close as possible to hook eye and place bass in livewell. If bass is bleeding from body or gills, apply a pinch of CATCH & RELEASE directly to the wound. While we can’t guarantee that your bass will live, following these procedures will give them the best possible chance for survival.
10. TIPS FOR PROPERLY HANDLING FISH: Try to keep handling bass to a MINIMUM! Try not to let bass come in contact with carpet or let bass bounce around on carpet. This will cause extreme injury to the all-important slime coat or skin of the bass. If you do disrupt slime coating from this action, then this is a good time to rub some CATCH & RELEASE on abrasion. Be cautious not to break jaws of bass. Once broken, that bass will not be able to feed again. ALWAYS hold bass in vertical position or use TWO HANDS to support body. Holding bass with single hand by way of mouth in a horizontal position without proper support will dislocate or break jaw.

[gcopple]

I live in southern california, right on the california arizona border...well i did until about a year ago when i moved...our summers reach 120 quite frequently and i have never added ice to my livewells to keep my fish alive. i run my pumps non-stop to keep oxygen in the water and put a little "please release me" or "rejuvinade (sp)" and thats it. i have only had one fish die on me and it was jut hooked. i like the post above that mentioned the shock, these fish...at least my strech of the colorado river, live in 80-90 degree water in the summer, don't know why you would cool the water down lower than what they naturally live in? just keep the pumps running and you should be good to go. if your pumps go out then maybe add some ice because then the water will get hot if there is no new water coming in, but if everything is working, constant fresh lake or river wate should be just fine.

[MBragg8]

http://www.koolwell.com

[Gman24]

The reason for cooling the water is to keep oxygen levels as high as possible. The hotter the water the quicker the oxygen is used up in the livewell itself. As far as "SHOCK". Fish are cold blooded and they have no NERVE ENDINGS like humans. Unless you fill your livewell full of nothing but ICE I assure you the "SHOCK" factor doesn't even come into consideration.

[rattlingrogue]

Read the post one up from this !