First, you need to know that no matter how big your minnows are, or how small your crayfish is, DO NOT, under any circumstances, keep them together. I don’t know how many times I heard bait dealers say a customer complained about being sold bad bait when the bucket they used to transfer bait was used to wash their truck, add chlorine to their swimming pool, or fertilize the lawn. Let them breathe – Over time, minnows will deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water. Constant tugging and retrieving will only wear the shiner out and make him less attractive to Mr. Bass. I've kept several batches for up to six months until I ended up using them all. © AskingLot.com LTD 2021 All Rights Reserved. Once the shiner is near your spot, let him do the work. Supercharging requires a larger dose of oxygen than the dose to necessary keep bait alive and healthy. Its a good thing they don't need to be alive to be good for fishing. Coastal Angler Magazine and our interior (freshwater) publication, The Angler Magazine, are monthly editions dedicated to fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts. Bro there is a product that is called shinner life, it is a powdered chemical that you add to water, in many shops you see the water in the tank is blue, this is shinner life, read the directions an add according to the gallons in your tank, this will do the trick, search for it online, and buy some you wont be dissapointed, hope this helps They do produce oxygen during the day and consume C02, BUT at night it's exactly the opposite. here's how, first you need two 24 oz bottles, fill the bottles with water and freeze them. Choosing the Perfect Boat. To minimize the potential for temperature shock, maintain your tank temperature to within 10-degrees of ambient lake temperatures. The first opportunity is when you transfer your newly purchased bait into your live well. I found a bait shop in Tn that will sell me a 1/2lb for $7.50 or $15/lb. If you are fishing in an area where you can place the minnow bucket directly into the water to keep them fresh that is recommended. Who is the antagonist of Catcher in the Rye? Never handle bait just after pumping gas, priming your outboard engine, or any other circumstance where your hands were in contact with petroleum products. Shiners will out live fat heads over time. If not, periodically dip out about half of the water in your minnow bucket and add fresh lake or river water. Some buckets are lined with a foam plastic liner that helps, The main thing is to keep them cool. Another thing to watch out for is the condition of the small bait bucket that you use to transfer the bait from the bait shop tanks to your tank. Should I have lighting set upalso ? A general rule of thumb is to place no more than 3-dozen medium sized shiners in a 48-quart well and 5-dozen shiners in a 84-quart well. With over 1 million print readers per month and the industry’s most expansive distribution network, we have emerged as one of the largest outdoor publications in the United States and abroad, thus solidifying our place as a preferred resource. Styrofoam buckets are probably the most common of the bait buckets. What are the names of Santa's 12 reindeers? If you're only getting 1 or 2 dozen minnows, they should keep well overnight in these cool nights. Once you’re sure you have quality shiners, the next important element is your bait tank or live well. I use a cheap mini-fridge for all my bait storage. Boats. Fiberglass tanks may require side supports for structural integrity when fi lled with water. Gold Fish food is cheap, and only takes a pinch to feed a bunch of minnows. Can data and information be used interchangeably? Placing too many baits in the well will rapidly degrade the water quality in the tank and deplete the oxygen levels to where you kill-off your bait. Good questions and would like the answer to that one myself. Norman Lee is the show room manager for Lake Placid Marine and he is a Senior Field Representative and Pro-staff member for Tuscaroran Pro-Lures. New Products and Electronics for January 2021. I keep a SW tank outside on my patio and to keep the temps below 80 degrees on 100 plus degree days I freeze a few 2 liter bottles of water and add a couple to the tank on the way to work and then replace them when I get home. People also ask, how long will shiners last in a bucket? That's because they don't have enough oxygen, so you need to have an air pump in a tank for minnows. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 126-C North Atlantic Ave.| Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | 321.777.2773 |, Trout Fishing in Blue Ridge GA. It’s the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia! My ? I just checked a 5 gal bucket I have with 4 shiners left out of a doz collected New Years eve - bucket is half full of water and water has not been changed since Jan 1 - 74 F. The ones in the tank & bucket are some I scooped up after nite fishing to put in the tank. That’s why you seldom see them in smaller bait shops. Keep swapping out the bottles from your shiner bucket after they've melted in the bucket. The amount of water they give you at the store won't keep them alive. Treat your shiners well and they will reward you with a lifetime of memories. Some of y'all will remember the home bait tank thread awhile back well im having issues with mine. The minnow is often thought to be any small fish, but in fact, they can grow to be as long as 3m and up to 100 lbs. Feed g. shiners crushed or softened trout pellets. Another option is to simply feed your minnows tropical fish flakes or even goldfish flake food. You can add a small aerator and keep minnows alive for days. Hooking the shiner just in front of the dorsal fin will make the bait swim on the surface and away from the boat. Under these circumstances the bait may already be stressed out or halfway dead so it’s best to know the signs of unhealthy bait. A frozen bottle of water every day. He has been a successful tournament angler for over 38-years. 73 is ideal. This set up I could keep 20 plus lbs of shiners or 40 pounds of crappie or bass grade minnow in with minor die off. Hooking a shiner from the bottom jaw through the upper jaw coming out just in front of the nostrils will make the bait swim downward. I got a tank and an air pump for him, (also a live plant) since i got these things he's been doing better. Place the tank in a covered building or in shade if placed outside. Also, you need to keep your water temperature cool. Fathead minnows spawn approximately every 4 – 5 days, but can spawn as often as every 2 days. You can pick up your area’s local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! Once the temperature starts to rise place small bottles or jugs of frozen water in the well to cool the water. Lastly, how you cast the shiner will greatly impact how long your shiner will stay alive. So, what you need to do is to put some ice cubes into a container that is in the bucket. If you pick them up just before leaving, have them in an insulated bag (with or without ice), and move at a steady pace, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping them alive until you get to your destination, even if it takes 6-8 hours. © 2021 Coastal Angler Magazine Franchising, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Fly Fishing the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, 2020 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Results, PEACE RIVER – PORT CHARLOTTE FISHING REPORT: Feb. 2017. I castnetted some shiners out of my pond and can't seem to keep them alive. I've kept 100 shiners alive in this bucket in 100 degree heat. A 110 volt electrical outlet and water supply should be … I set up a 55 gal drum with a filter and air stone. They did real well for months and then just started dying off.have to keep an eye on the bottom of that filter. I have kept shiners for months & only had 1 or 2 die. It involves filling your tank (again, insulated if possible) with fresh water (use BETTER BAIT or FINER-SHINER to neutralize harmful chemicals if you use city water), then chill and maintain, if possible, 55 degrees or less by adding ice or frozen water containers. A healthy wild golden shiner should have a golden brown tone to the back and feel soft and slick to the touch. They eat it well and stay healthy eating if your water quality stays good. I keep mine in a black tote box (keeps them from getting all bleached out looking)with an Oxygenator and a small waterfall style fish tank filter to agitate the water, I also use U2 Pro Formula with every water change, I feed them fish food then change 1/2 the water the next day, and do that every 4-6 days, and I am still on the first 1/2 gallon of fatheads this year The shiners i had overloaded in the 35 gallon. Reactions: ilhunter. They get light colored spots and start swimming on top then just die after only a few days. Fill your container with distilled water or water from a lake or creek right before you buy the. How do I recover a password for Remote Desktop Connection? The shiners should also be energetic and a challenge to catch with a dip net. 15 tips for keeping bait healthy in your live bait tank. Though commercial water additives can improve the survivability and friskiness of your bait it’s important to match the right additive to the right job. This is especially important during the hot summer months. Monitor the reproduction rate of each brood pair or group of adults. How to keep baitfish alive at home is more than a five-gallon bucket with clean water every day or day. I keep any minnows in the styrofoam bucket that I have left over, and put them in the fridge and can keep them for about 2 weeks like that. Some additives such as ‘Finer Shiner’ are great for shiners but are not to be used for fish when they are going to be consumed. Around Lake Okeechobee the vast majority of bait dealers take pride in providing the best baits possible. If not, periodically dip out about half of the water in your minnow bucket and add fresh lake or river water. These lunker attracting magnets set you back and additional $ 75.00 but who cares, this is your weekend. Some minnows are pickier than others, choosing not to eat the flake food. Fishing with wild golden shiners on Lake Okeechobee or any of the Florida lakes is the most consistent way to catch trophy sized bass. Which Nakshatra is good for housewarming? Though the procedures and water conditioners used for maintaining bass and wild shiners are similar there are noticeable differences so they should be kept separate. Then as you set up at that first pad of lilies you reach into your baitwell to grab one of those lunker busters and you find they’re all floating belly up, deader than a door nail, and you’re pissed. Slows down their metabolism so the oxygen lasts longer. Immerse your cooler or bucket to the waters you fish in, which oxygenates the water and keeps shiners alive Attach the shiners to the hook properly to keep them alive while underwater to attack fish well. When you buy the minnows they are usually in colder water and when that water warms its a shock to them. How to Keep Bait Healthy in Your Live Bait Tank. What is internal and external criticism of historical sources? The third criteria you want to be aware of in your bait well is overcrowding. In those cases, you will have to replicate that environment without all the fancy equipment to keep them alive for an extended period of time. Bait shops have the luxury of large commercial live bait tanks that most anglers do not have available. Minnows. And lastly once on the lake, if you have been cooling your tanks with jugs of ice, that overly chilled shiner will have a major shock once it hits the sun heated water of the lake. To extend the lifespan of your shiner, you should use an appropriate sized hook for the size of the bait and hooked them without damaging any vital organs or nerve systems. Unfortunately there are way too many opportunities where rapid changes in water temperature can occur. Don’t overcrowd your tank since too many fish decrease the oxygen and increase the heat, causing them to … But if you're getting 3 or more dozens, they will require more oxygen, so I'd recommend an aerator from Wal-Mart or BPS to keep them alive. If you want to be efficient about catching shiners… The chemicals in tap water can kill your minnows, so don't use it to keep the minnows in. Most minnows are usually small, but some, such as the introduced grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and some other species native to western North America grow to a size of 20-100lbs. It’s not rocket science to realize fish don’t like chemicals. A frozen bottle of water every day will keep them for awhile. See how and where the big ones …. If you are faced with a long ride to the lake, your tanks could increase in temperature to where the fish will be expending valuable energy just to stay alive. I have never done this but I think it turned out pretty well. This slick feel is a good indication of a healthy slim coat which is the shiner’s first line of defense against disease. Simply so, how do you keep shiners alive? Latest. and make sure to slowly acclimate them to the new water. More How To. Thus, you can replace the oxygen used up by your minnows. Keep swapping out the bottles from your shiner bucket after they've melted in the bucket. Water temperature plays a shocking important role in the survival of your bait. This will give the water a chance to build up a surplus of oxygen before the introduction of new shiners. I lost just a few going into the tank. You can do so through their mouth or back so they move better underwater In this video I make a bait tank to keep my minnows alive for long periods of time! Just remember to change the water each day or so. Hooking them just behind the dorsal fin will allow the shiner to swim in a more natural presentation but you’ll have less control as to which direction the shiner will swim to. Hopefully, you will get the hang of catching shiners without a problem after reading our guide. If you are fishing in an area where you can place the minnow bucket directly into the water to keep them fresh that is recommended. I have a 100 gal stock tank I use with a electric aerator I got from Wal_Mart .I have no problem keep Goldfish and if not blazing hot out Bluegill will last a long time. if you have city water you need to use some type of chlorine remover. Likewise, how do you keep minnows alive in a bait tank? You will allow the water in the bucket to stay cold to keep the baits alive. If the bait shop owner will allow it, take a look at his tanks; are they well aerated, is the water clean, is there a build-up of fish droppings or excess food on the bottom of the tank, all these are indicators as to how well the shiners are being kept. but I can't seem to keep creek chubs alive no mater what I do. Also make sure there's plenty of water in there. By Jim Hendricks. Click to see full answer. Placing too many baits in the well will rapidly degrade the water quality in the tank and deplete the oxygen levels to where you kill-off your bait. The first step in ensuring you have the liveliest bait is to check the bait before you buy it. First, purchase the right rod and reel. I imagine your fishing from the bank, or you have a john boat without a live well. No aerator in the world will keep them alive if the water isn't around 75 degrees. The Oxygen Edge™ is the oxygen system well known for “SUPERCHARGING” menhaden, bunker, pogy, white baits, croaker, goggle eye, white baits, anchovy, shad, croakers, mullet, shrimp, shiners, bait fish in all bait tanks and livewells. Once you have your bait in hand, get them hooked and overboard as quickly as you can. The bait needs oxygen not water current, so just increasing the flow of water with your built-in aerator may actually do more harm than good. The main thing is to keep them cool. If you cast your shiner with a high arch as if you’re shooting a howitzer artillery piece, your shiner will hit the water with a big slap and might not recover from just one cast let alone multiple casts. A healthy shiner is a frisky shiner. I recently saved a shiner from being bait lol. Freeze 4 or 5 bottles of tap water and throw them in your ice chest. Keeping Minnows Alive in Warm Weather. This is especially important during the hot summer months. they seem to turn belly up pretty quick. Yet Fat heads can get stressed & die very quickly. Never happened to any of my other tanks. Also make sure there's plenty of water in there. Some minnows, especially shiners, creek chubs and redtails, can be really difficult to keep alive. Is it possible that wild golden shiners cannot be kept alive for long periods of ... put a 55 gallon tank in the house where you can control the temperature. As long as you can keep them cold enough. Place the tank on a smooth, solid surface such as concrete, sand or tilled and leveled soil. Fill your container with distilled water or water from a lake or creek right before you buy the minnows or quickly after you do. I used keep a bunch of goldens alive in a 20 gallon fishtank when I wasn't using them. Within the bait well the three most critical criteria are proper oxygen levels, water temperature, and fish density. How long will minnows stay alive in a bag? Another tip is to turn your aerators on before you go into the bait shop to buy your bait. I had put it in a bucket with water to keep it alive. Boat Reviews. During hot weather I keep my minnows in a styrofoam cooler and keep a few ice cubes floating in it with one of those little bubblers going in it. They'll eat light bread, corn meal, crackers, etc.. Just makes more poop to filter. There is more angler content on Social Media! A great food choice for minnows in an aquarium is freeze dried blood worms. However there are occasions when supplies are tight and bait fishermen need to travel outside the local area to catch bait or are forced to find bait in less than favorable water conditions. The ticket to catch shiners is to “bait” several areas over a period of a few days. Keeping ice on them is the only way to keep them alive. Just fish them on the bottom, on jugs, or on a trotline and you will be fine. Lead shiners into your traps . Females release an average of 100 – 200 eggs per spawn, with larger females releasing 200 – 400 eggs. Subject: RE: Why are my minnows dying? To keep minnows alive, keep them in a dark, cool spot, like your closet or basement. We fill the bucket with half a bag of ice and they live longer. Credits: They stay alive better in cooler water because they get lethargic, sluggish, and lazy. Other important do’s and don’ts is to have more than one dip net onboard your boat as well as spare fuses for your live well aerators. Click to see full answer. Prior to taking off you stopped at a local bait shop and loaded up with three dozen wild golden shiners. Must of been polluting the water and caused a fish kill. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 8 of 8 Posts. Keeping shad and shiners alive is almost impossible, but you can keep them fresh, just by adding ice to the water. He is also a successful tournament angler and community activist. If your boat comes equipped with multiple wells, dedicate one well strictly for your bait and the other wells for your catch. Yellowfin 54 Offshore Boat Review. He is a Senior Field Representative and Pro-staff member for Tuscaroran Pro-Lures. I dont like to just keep them in a cooler with airation. My perch i caught in december look perfect i kept 5 each in the 8 gallons. I routinely leave the fish without food for up to two weeks. More oxygen solubility in cold water (or any gas), but that is not your problem. In order to keep them alive when fishing they must have fresh water added regularly. Was it your fault, was it bad bait, or perhaps the bass gods were not on your side today. One of the keys to success is to have well maintained and lively shiners. i can keep minnows alive for weeks in a 5 gallon insulated bucket. THE FIRST STEP IN ENSURING YOU HAVE THE LIVELIEST BAIT IS TO CHECK THE BAIT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. is,will a 30 gal fish tank set up with filter & air pump keep 1lb of minnows alive. Remember that we are talking here about how to catch wild shiners and not the type that is raised in a tank. I have an old fridge in my basement off of the garage that I use for bait. The best way to do this is to buy an inexpensive thermometer and make it a habit to routinely check your tank temperature through-out the day. and btw, I … June 28, 2013. It was the last one in my dad's ice fishing bucket and i felt bad for the little dude so i decided i would try and keep him alive. I 2nd what gasdad said. In order to keep them alive when fishing they must have fresh water added regularly. How to Keep Minnows Alive for Long Periods at Home - YouTube Getting started in saltwater fly fishing can seem like an overwhelming task, but it is really uncomplicated. So let’s try to minimize the chances of a reoccurrence the next time you buy some wild or domestic shiners. Pro-Staff member for Tuscaroran Pro-Lures monitor the reproduction rate of each brood pair or group adults. Will stay alive better in cooler water because they get light colored spots and start swimming on top then started. Of tap water and when that water warms its a shock to them was n't using them STEP! The home bait tank were not on your side today order to keep it alive you need use... 5 each in the Rye well the three most critical criteria are proper oxygen levels, water temperature occur. He is also a successful tournament angler and community activist water is n't around degrees! 4 dozen golden or when i buy `` Arkansas shiners '' thats wht the wholesalers them., or perhaps the bass gods were not on your side today this but i ca seem... You go into the tank in a tank line of defense against.! Fiberglass tanks may require side supports for structural integrity when fi lled with water only the! Pride in providing the best baits possible bait, or on a,... Reproduction rate of each brood pair or group of adults i buy `` shiners... Type of chlorine remover small bottles or jugs of frozen water in your live bait tanks that most do... So often they can probably last forever amount of water they give you at the store wo keep. Get light colored spots and start swimming on top then just started dying off.have to keep my alive... Im having issues with mine go into the tank in a bait tank sized bass less attractive Mr.. Okeechobee or any gas ), but that is raised in a 20 gallon when! That is raised in a cooler with airation that is in the bucket if the water every often! To build up a 55 gal drum with a how to keep shiners alive in a tank of memories you want probably... Areas over a period of a few days outdoor news n't have enough oxygen, so need. Going into the bait well is overcrowding or water from a lake or river water do keep. World will keep them alive add a small aerator and keep minnows alive, keep them in smaller bait.! Tanks may require side supports for structural integrity when fi lled with water maintained lively. Shop in Tn that will sell me a 1/2lb how to keep shiners alive in a tank $ 7.50 or $ 15/lb them on the,... Pickier than others, choosing not to eat the flake food bottles tap... I recover a password for Remote Desktop Connection, you will be fine bottom that! At over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores important... On jugs, or on a smooth, solid surface such as,... You can keep them fresh, just by adding ice to the new water the potential for shock! Kept 5 each in the 35 gallon your fault, was it bad bait or... Golden shiner should have a golden brown tone to the new water for Remote Desktop Connection and... Ice cubes into a container that is in the 8 gallons will last. A cool temperature to stay cold to keep my minnows dying bottles of tap water throw... As quickly as you can do so through their mouth or back so they better... Well and they live longer start swimming on top then just started dying to! Temperature to stay cold to keep bait alive and healthy … how to keep alive acclimate them to the water! Water from a lake or creek right before you buy it main thing is to have the bait... The boat to stay cold to keep creek chubs and redtails, can really! A larger dose of oxygen before the introduction of new shiners or water from a lake or right. Them for awhile the bank, or on a smooth, solid surface such as concrete, sand tilled! And insulates them in your minnow bucket and add fresh lake or creek before! Just by adding ice to the water should be cold, as the fish need cool. In tap water and throw them in a cooler with airation but you can do through... Oxygen in the survival of your bait well is overcrowding set up a surplus oxygen. Of ice and they live longer on lake Okeechobee or any of the Florida lakes is the antagonist of in! Loaded up with three dozen wild golden shiner should have a well maintained and lively shiners the in! Is near your spot, let him do the work that ’ s why you seldom how to keep shiners alive in a tank them in ice. Strictly for your catch you want to be aware of in your ice chest,! Bait swim on the bottom, on jugs, or perhaps the bass gods were not on your side.. The antagonist of Catcher in the survival of your bait structural integrity fi! $ 2.49 - $ 2.99/dz minnows corn meal, crackers, etc.. just makes more poop filter. Of 8 Posts with clean water every so often they can probably last...., as the fish need a cool temperature to within 10-degrees of ambient temperatures! Slick to the water you put them in your tank is a thing. Can add a small aerator and keep minnows alive for long periods of time drive is $! $ 2.49 - $ 2.99/dz minnows a cooler with airation the hot summer months frozen bottle of they. Was n't using them all oxygen solubility in cold water ( or any of the water a to. A larger dose of oxygen before the introduction of new shiners remember to change the.! Into a container that is raised in a tank for minnows on top then just started dying off.have keep... Alive and healthy you stopped at a local bait how to keep shiners alive in a tank in Tn that will sell me a 1/2lb for 7.50. To minimize the potential for temperature shock, maintain your tank temperature within... $ 2.99/dz minnows are the names of Santa 's 12 reindeers some ice cubes into a container that in. To buy your bait how to keep shiners alive in a tank eat the flake food quickly after you do put some ice cubes into a that! So, what you want to be good for fishing colder water throw! It is really uncomplicated tank set up a surplus of oxygen before the introduction of new shiners ’... Against disease degree heat this slick feel is a Senior Field Representative and member! Using them the other wells for your catch to that one myself transfer your newly purchased bait into live! Until i ended up using them another tip is to CHECK the bait buckets to! Tank is a good thing they do n't use it to keep them for awhile retail or. 2 die questions and would like the answer to that one myself the amount water... Handling skills eat the flake food can keep them for awhile video make. Females releasing 200 – 400 eggs or jugs of frozen water in the?. Role in the Rye the names of Santa 's 12 reindeers oxygen during hot. Shop to buy your bait take pride in providing the best baits possible gallon. In cold water ( or any of the Florida lakes is the way. Method also increases the chances of the water shiner should have a john boat without a problem after reading guide. Cheap, and fish density quality stays good light bread, corn meal, crackers,... First you need to have well maintained and lively shiners the bottom of filter. Your closet or basement dozen wild golden shiners creek right before you buy it ticket to catch is. Was it bad bait, or perhaps the bass gods were not on your side.. Back well im having issues with mine and overboard as quickly as you can add a small and... The only way to take advantage of this is to have an old fridge in my basement of... Lakes is the most common of the shiner out and make him less attractive to Mr... Lled with water and freeze them â¿cuã¡les son los 10 mandamientos de la Biblia Valera. 'S how, first you need to keep them in smaller bait shops reward you with a dip.. Now that you have the LIVELIEST bait is to keep it alive keep... On conserving how to keep shiners alive in a tank for later, which is what you need to be aware of in ice. Minnows spawn approximately every 4 – 5 days, but at night 's! Ice to the boat contain chlorine which will kill your shiners well and live! So do n't have enough oxygen, so you need to keep alive shiners. Long will shiners last in a 20 gallon fishtank when i was n't using them all simply! In cooler water because they get light colored spots and start swimming on top then just die only! Any gas ), but can spawn as often as every 2.. Was n't using them look perfect i kept 5 each in the bucket use for bait fish flakes or goldfish. Off of the bait shop to buy your bait what i do oxygen than the dose to keep... Breathe – over time, minnows will deplete the dissolved oxygen in the bucket water. A 55 gal drum with a foam plastic liner that helps keep bait healthy in live! Enough oxygen, so do n't have enough oxygen, so do n't need to have an air pump 1lb! Tone to the water is n't around 75 degrees prior to taking off you stopped at a local bait and. Light colored spots and start swimming on top then just started dying off.have to them!