Freshwater - HANDLING LIVE BAIT

by Terry Tuma

Your Live Bait Needs Some T.L.C. Good live bait doesn't come cheap, so it's a waste of time and money not to protect your investment. Here are some handy guidelines that I have found to keep my minnows in tip-top fish catching condition.

Don't overcrowd your bait bucket
unless you supply extra oxygen with a portable aerator. An aerator is the best investment you can make to save bait and sustain a large volume of bait. If using an oxygen diffuser stone, always make sure it is positioned at the very bottom of the container. This allows the air bubbles to travel through the water column for maximum mixing and transfer.
Keep the water in your bait container at a constant temperature.
I prefer an insulated container or cooler especially in hot weather. Baitfish get more active in warm water and use up available oxygen much faster. Cooler water holds oxygen longer. Keep the lid closed tight on containers to keep water and bait cooler. If possible, keep containers out of direct sunlight.
If keeping baitfish in an aerated container for extended periods check the water on a regular basis.
,ake sure the water remains fairly clear. Cloudy water indicates a build-up of ammonia due to excess fecal debris. Do not use chlorinated water. Use lake or rainwater if possible. When changing water I like to add Frabill's Aqua-Lung tablets to condition the water and remove any possible contaminants. By changing the water on a regular basis I have been able to sustain baitfish for weeks in my bait containers.
Remove any injured or dying bait from your container as they contaminate water.
When choosing bait from a container I prefer to use a small bait net instead of my bare hands so not to contaminate the entire container with possible chemicals or substances like gas, suntan lotion etc. that can be harmful to the bait.

For more information visit Frabill at
www.frabill.com

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