Thread: Can't keep shiners alive!

Aerator went out this weekend. Fished a good spell both Sunday and Monday without one, just the 4.25 gallon shiner bucket. Kept swapping out the frozen ice bottles and lost 0 shiners.

Originally Posted by gabowman

If youre pumping lake water into your livewell then youre adding WARM surface water to your minnows. You'd be better off with a minnow bucket and an airator. Adding ice will make your minnows live in the bucket better but if the water is too cool when the minnow hits the lake water they'll curl up from the warm surface water. There's a fine line during the summer on just how cool to have the water in your minnow bucket. Bottom line, it aint easy fishing minnows during the summertime.:rolleyes:

If you put ice in your live well from your "city water freezer" you are putting chlorine into your live well....Just look at how to keep aquarium fish alive. You have to to put chemicals into the take before you add fish. Get rid of the chlorine. Maybe try distilled water from the grocery store or buy additive at the local Petsmart.

Thanks placid136, but this thread is over 2 1/2 years old. I have well water here in the country and have learned to keep the water cool during the summer. Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by Tracker123

Thanks placid136, but this thread is over 2 1/2 years old. I have well water here in the country and have learned to keep the water cool during the summer. Welcome to the forum.

Tracker123.... Still trying to figure out all of the "Ins & Outs" here.... Thanks for the reply

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/prod...=411331&r=view

I use the Frabill Personal bait station, It is compact and well insulated. It is really nice to use and does not feel like it clutters the boat as much as a bucket. It is best for a half pound of shiners but I have kept a pound of shiners with no problems. I have a battery powered and 12 V aerator , I just hook the line up to whatever one I use. I just throw a few ice cubes when needed in the summer and it does not seem to kill the shiners.

My Tracker has an insulated bait well up front. I really like that feature in the new models. Very convenient. I added a Frabill aerator to it in case I don't want to use the circulation pump, etc. Battery powered and 12V as well.

I have an aerator in my shiner bucket and I also add tablets that I get at Academy to help the water stay healthy....they are by the aerators in the store.....

Just fished with a guide in Toledo Bend and he uses a small compact I think 8 quart Frabill. It's a small compact ice chest with an aerator. Worked great with 100 or more shiners in it for 7 hrs. Very few casualties. Look at Amazon, they sell for $35.00 with free shipping