Keeping Fish Alive In Livewells

[TRRANGER]

There has been lots of discussion lately about keeping fish alive in derbys and such. I was just wondering about installing themometers in my livewells for helping to keep fish alive and well. My question is how much or how many degrees do you drop the water temp in the well to help the fish at the safest level? How much ice do you add and which chemical do yall use in your wells? Do the weight you add to fins eliminate "fizzing the fish"?

[David Unnerstall]

Ice would have chlorine in it which, I imagine, would not be good for fish.

[TRRANGER]

I guess I should have clarified alittle, I add frozen water bottles to my livewells, but was wondering about temps that were best for the fish... TR

[getfished]

I also use frozen water bottles, but I have used block ice also. I usually fill the livewell to about 75% capacity at the mouth of a large cove. If the water temps are above 65 then I use ice. I also use a formula which is greenish crystals. I don't remember the name of it , something like "Catch and Release" or something to that effect. I believe if you can lower the livewell temps by 10 degrees that should be helpful to reduce shock. Along with that I close the valve on the livewell so no more water comes in or goes out. Next I turn on the recirculating pumps . This is not the aerator pump. I usually set the recirc switch to auto but occasionally I will run it constantly. I can't tell that running the recirc continually produces a better effect . I haven't lost any fish with this method unless the fish was mortally hooked.

My beverage cooler in the boat will hold 4 quart jugs of frozen water. So I put them around the inside perimeter and then I put my beverages in the center of that . Next, I cover with as much ice as possible. Usually about 6 drinks and 3/4 bag of ice or about 6 lbs. I usually also take a small beverage cooler and put in another 6lbs or so of ice and a few more drinks. If I am putting fish in the livewell during the course of the day this method has always served me well and kept my beverages cold. At this time of the year I always make room for the extra beverage cooler and drinks. That way I can take care of the fish if necessary and I also am able to stay hydrated. I will drink something every 2 hours so if someone is with me I have to carry plenty of drinks.

[steveearle]

-10 degrees is a good goal for temp.

1/3 cup NON-iodized salt per 5 gallons of livewell water.

1 oz. of hydrogen peroxide per 3-5 gallons livewell water.

Pump-out livewell, re-fill and repeat exact solution/ice every 4-6 hours (1 time during tourney) and keep livewell vented. This process rids the livewell of waste and potentially harmful gases.

Plug livewell and set on recirculate to keep cool and chemicals in--do not add new water until you are flushing everything.

Regarding ICE--Fact is, molecularly, most, if not all of the chlorine is eliminated when the water is frozen. If there is any left, it is not enough to harm fish when put in the livewell.

I have been using this method for 4 years at 11 hour, LOZ night tournaments and it works. Anything you find on the topic by Gene Gilliland is awesome--although he doesn't recommend hydrogen peroxide because too many people think if a little is good, a lot is better (human nature). I was lucky enough to swap a few emails with him and he set me straight on a couple of things mentioned above. He also will not promote brand-name additives, as they are usually not FDA approved and there is a possibility that those fish will one day be eaten...although I do use a pinch of Rejuvenade...

I tried the weighted clips and gave up as they fell of multiple times and I am confident fizzing a fish. Summertime fish at LOZ will "swell up" at comes coming out of 10 feet of water (don't ask me why).