Ok guys, a question for you pros out there. How to keep your fish alive and healthy when fishing a tourney? Do y'all add o2 or ice? I can't keep none alive for no time. Also what is the best pro air system? Any tips would greatly appreciated.
Printable View
Ok guys, a question for you pros out there. How to keep your fish alive and healthy when fishing a tourney? Do y'all add o2 or ice? I can't keep none alive for no time. Also what is the best pro air system? Any tips would greatly appreciated.
Oxygen in a big cooler with an oxygen diffuser instead of an air stone. You can also add a bit of ice to cool the water. Not so much as to shock them tho.
You'll need
Oxygen bottle
Regulator-- pediatric is preferred.
Air Hose
Diffuser--- it puts out really fine oxygen bubbles that the water absorbs faster.
Big Cooler --some still use the oxygen in their live wells, but I keep my tourney fish separate from the eaters. If you have dual live wells that's a plus tho.
I use an air pump run into my livewell, pump the well full and pump air to them constantly. I use a big aquarium pump and have not had any trouble this summer. Been keeping them alive as long as possible kinda practicing for tourney time, don't fish many tourneys that require live fish at weigh-in but live fish weigh better. Run the 110 pump off a power inverter and it will run forever without drawing hardly anything off your battery, also run a line for my minners as well when using them.
We do the same as BRM as far as separating my tourney fish from eaters but do it just the opposite, ice chest with ice for eaters and only 8 or 9 weigh-in fish in the livewell.
Yeah, I put my eaters on ice in the heat.
Sorry, I'm not a Pro tho. :)
Me either bro, not by a long shot!!!
I do simular to Rees and have not had much trouble in tournaments. I can't keep them alive this time of year though. If it's still this hot at the end of September I am going to buy the oxygen equipment. From my research that seems to be the best solution.
Just suggestion on the ice, I have found it is best to use frozen bottles of water rather than trying to dump the right amount of ice in the water. Like Bill said to cold to quick will shock them. If I'm really trying to keep them alive I carry a seperate cooler full of frozen 2 liter and regular water bottles. Lots of water gets a 2 liter. Minnow bucket will get a small bottle. Once the water is cooled in a cooler you will be surprised how cool it will stay. Big plus is less ammonia produced and less oxygen need to maintain them
Shouldn't be keeping eater fish during a tournament .Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
Why ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Big C
And all live fish should be released after tournament. JmoQuote:
Originally Posted by Big C