Cool Water for the Livewell

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08-26-2009, 10:20 AM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Cool Water for the Livewell

What you guys think about this idea. I want to pull cool water into the livewell so I can keep my little crappie alive. Since my livewell pump pulls water from the surface it is greater than 80 degrees.
I am thinking of getting a aerator pump adding a 8 foot hose with a small weight on the end and pumping fresh cooler water from down deeper. As long as I stay above the thermocline this should work great. At least in my mind.
I am tired of trying to put frozen bottles and stuff in the well to keep them cool.
08-26-2009, 10:23 AM
feelay

sounds like it would be easier to put frozen water bottles in there.
08-26-2009, 12:26 PM
satdoc1

Just remember to pick it up before ya move or ya might be dragin it down the lake!!! :eek:
08-26-2009, 12:26 PM
rocket rich

Try Catch N Release
08-26-2009, 12:29 PM
satdoc1

C&R on crappie ? Hard enough to catch a keeper now. NOTTTT Gonnnaaa Happpeeennn! If its over 12 it gonna get et.
08-26-2009, 12:34 PM
J White

I was gonna try that in some of the saca events I used to fish, but like
so many other idees I get, just never got roundtuit :)

It sure looks like it would work.
08-26-2009, 12:58 PM
DonDon

Release them into the cooler, bout it

hot grease is their next stop
08-26-2009, 01:00 PM
Wannabe...

Be easier to keep your existing pump off and wire in a recirculating pump then just add fewer bottles. Maybe a little c&r and tour good to go.

In an 8 hour day you'll need to ad some fresh water every 3 hours though. Maybe 2 hours on a crowded well.

Wannabe..

Wannabe
08-26-2009, 01:07 PM
DonDon

You musta read that somewhere cause

we all KNOW you don't have to worry about a crowded livewell:)
08-26-2009, 01:52 PM
DKR

try gal milk jugs.
08-26-2009, 01:55 PM
satdoc1

some of the live wells i have seen, a gallon jug will take up half of!
08-26-2009, 05:04 PM
J White

Warm water not good, but I used to have more trouble with fishies' air
bladders blowin up, making em lay on their side and croak.
Tried the needle thing, but never quite got the hang of it.
08-26-2009, 06:19 PM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Ok

I never put more than 9 in the livewell at one time.
If I am keeping fish I put them in the deadwell or "cooler"

Rocket - The whole reason for all the extra effort is so I can catch and release a healthy fish. Satdoc just will not go for me telling him what they weighed on my scales on the lake. Will you Satdoc?

Gallon milk jugs I tried and I think they beat my fish to death running down the lake.

I am going to try it and I am adding oxygen today also. They may have it so good in my boat they want me to catch them.
08-26-2009, 07:23 PM
pstone

That'll work Ray, or you can use a bilge pump....either one will work.
08-26-2009, 07:51 PM
dedawg1149

frozen pop bottles
08-26-2009, 08:02 PM
satdoc1

"Rocket - The whole reason for all the extra effort is so I can catch and release a healthy fish. Satdoc just will not go for me telling him what they weighed on my scales on the lake. Will you Satdoc?"

Yeah you can, but I wont pay any attention!!! LOL
08-26-2009, 08:42 PM
yikess

How are you going to add oxygen?
08-26-2009, 08:49 PM
gabowman

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket rich

Try Catch N Release

...or an ice chest with ice in it.;)
08-27-2009, 05:03 AM
ROCK

I50 QT cooler with the keep alive brand pumps have work for me .I use less ice since the cooler is insulated. but it also takes up alot of room.
08-27-2009, 07:08 AM
tritonman

I always take a few frozen bottles with me too. They kind of do double duty, they help keep my drinks cold then they help keep the fish cool. Just works for me.
08-27-2009, 08:49 AM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Yikes

I am doing it the cheap way. I have a medical oxygen tank and regulator and a micro defusion stone. Works like an aerator just uses pure oxygen.
The guys I have seen using it have the most lively fish I have ever seen.
Man it is bad when you see those fish released from a tournament floating.
Since my livewell is a piece of crap I use a 150 quart cooler like Rock said.
Anybody else out there done this oxygen thing?
08-27-2009, 09:53 AM
Wannabe...

How do you go about getting the tank refilled?

Wannabe...
08-27-2009, 10:02 AM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Welding supply shop

Yep got to break a few rules but a welding shop can make it happen. $12.00.
08-28-2009, 05:24 AM
ROCK

check out your local medical supply also
08-28-2009, 06:25 AM
rocket rich

All That For A Few Or Is It A Million Fish.
08-28-2009, 06:30 AM
J White

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket rich

All That For A Few Or Is It A Million Fish.

The fellow who asked the question is obviously a tournament fisherman,
and some of us are trying to help answer, or at least discuss the topic.
If you don't fish tournaments, don't like them, don't understand, FINE.
But butt the heck out if all you can do is throw junk like this in.
08-28-2009, 07:42 AM
DonDon

I've never had much problem with them in the live well

unless they were to big and wouldn't fit right which didn't happen to often. I'd think the frozen bottles of water would do the trick though for keeping it cool. Thats what I do for my minners in my insulated bucket. I freeze a few bottled of water and add one as needed to the bucket. Course I always add some of that blue powder to it thats supposed to help keep them alive
08-28-2009, 08:17 AM
Wannabe...

Dern, ya'll watch out for J today, he's on a tear and will slap your head clean off at the neck. LOL.

No offense J, I was merely providing a word of caution to my fellow C.Cers and in no way was this post meant to challenge, threaten nor question you. As a matter of fact, just forget I said anything. And please don't hit me.

Wannabe...
08-28-2009, 08:30 AM
J White

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannabe...

Dern, ya'll watch out for J today, he's on a tear and will slap your head clean off at the neck. LOL.

No offense J, I was merely providing a word of caution to my fellow C.Cers and in no way was this post meant to challenge, threaten nor question you. As a matter of fact, just forget I said anything. And please don't hit me.

Wannabe...

Oh, so thats another one of your alias's huh? If I'd known it was you I'd
of been more considerate, I know I have to look over you :)
08-28-2009, 08:34 AM
Wannabe...

LOL, I'm also Rock, he's my fish catching alter ego.
And Satdoc too. He's my crotchety old gewber ego.
Jimmydee is my Yankee personality.
I only post as DonDon when I'm feeling particularly goofy.

Wannabe...
08-28-2009, 08:39 AM
crappiholic

Mrs. Eva Rambo, who fishes CM and CUSA was a science teacher for 40 + years and she says that oxyegen will keep fish alive longer than cooler water. Her reccomendation is to use hydrogen proxide in the water. This will add oxyegen to the water. I usually put a couple of ounces in the water periodically. I haven't had a problem yet. She has yet to explain how it works but it does.
08-28-2009, 09:16 AM
Release to the Grease...

CH-That's interesting, do you put it in your minnow bucket also?
08-28-2009, 09:41 AM
Wannabe...

I've heard of this as well, but I believe it's not good for the fish, but apparently, that's in dispute.

Here's a lengthy article from ESPN on caring for fish in livewells. If you scan to the very last paragraph, they recommend not using Peroxide because it eats the mucose off the fish - same s if you pour it on a wound on your own skin.

ESPN - Keeping Bass Alive — Livewell

Apparently, some folks do it though with good results. I see several google links that appear to endorse it from posts on other forums. Personally, I'd pass on it.

Wannabe...
08-28-2009, 10:22 AM
crappiholic

I don't use anything but finer shiner in my minnow bucket. I have a Marine Metal Products Aereator (the stick type) in a 5 gallon bucket and I have no problem keeping minnow alive. I did modify mine by adding a male cigerette plug for power rather than using the battery clips. I will say that I change out my water after a day of fishing.

As far as what ESPN says, we must remember that they own Bassmasters and do all of their studies on bass. Also, bass are more reselliant than crappie.
08-28-2009, 06:49 PM
GarMaster

how about a couple bags of ice ?? tried that one day , seemed to work okay?

how many "times" or how long does the $12.00 tank last ?? I heard the tank of oxygen is a really dangerous thing from a fire stand point.....

but good idea though.......
08-28-2009, 07:18 PM
BigKyd

Quote:

Originally Posted by satdoc1

C&R on crappie ? Hard enough to catch a keeper now. NOTTTT Gonnnaaa Happpeeennn! If its over 12 it gonna get et.

You hooked, you cooked.
08-28-2009, 07:19 PM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Well this has turned into a good topic

The oxygen tank I have looks like it will last 4 full days of fishing.
Tomorrow will be the full field trial. My plan is to put 9 crappie in with oxygen and change the water with cool water pulled from 10 feet deep every 3 hours.
The test will be can I keep them alive enough to turn loose after 12 hours. Their incentive to cooperate,, well we all know that answer. I will eat them.

I will be connecting a seperate line to my minnows and see if that works also.

Jwhite Thanks because I was getting really close to being grounded from posting.
08-29-2009, 06:52 PM
CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Worked Great

Man that oxygen did the trick. Only changed the water once and no ice bottles. Surface temps mid 80's. Put 12 crappie in a 48 quart cooler started at 6:30 am with first fish and keep them in there till 5:30. Not a one turned on their side and seemed more frisky than when I caught them.