What are some of the tricks you guys have for keeping minnows alive in this heat..and the 88 degree water
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What are some of the tricks you guys have for keeping minnows alive in this heat..and the 88 degree water
ice and a air pump
Ice in a sealed bag and air pump
If you keep them too cool won't the hot water kill them...had a guy tell me to put lake water in cooler...set minnows in bag into the cooler...that way it wouldn't shock them so bad
With a insulated bucket and aerator I can keep minnows alive all day. If I want to keep alive overnight I add frozen water bottles.
i like to gradually get the bucket water down close to the lake water if not when they hit the water they will die quickly . the surface water is warmer that 12 ft deep water . a aerator will keep them you may have to change the when it gits cloudy and foamy . i try to get lake water in a shady area if i change it on the lake . chlorinated will kill them so i try to keep a gallon of water in a cooler or some where it will be out of the heat . the main thing is aerator . .
greenranger, You can order a rectangular minnow cooler off the internet that has a net liner an an aerator. Then just drop a small frozen water bottle In it Google it. Smiles, G <€€€><
Frozen water bottles dropped in bucket.
I use the frabill flow troll float bucket. Even if I have minnows die I still catch crappie with them.
From my experience when cool minnows hits that hot lake water they curl up like french fries.:yikes Keep a blbbler going on the minnows but gradually change out the cooler water with lake water to even the water temps and you'll find that once the minnows are "acclimated" to hotter water they'll live a bit longer on the hook when they hit the lake. BTW, try medium minnows...theyre easier to keep alive IMO.
I add a frozen water bottle the night before just before I go to bed so the bait will be cool to start the day. I have an Engel bait cooler which helps with the heat while fishing. I try not to use anymore frozen bottles but I will add lake water first thing, just a little bit to level things out. Just my .02.
What several people have said is spot on. It is a matter of slowly acclimating them to lake temp while fishing. I keep mine at about 55 degrees in my minnow tank at the store. That maximizes survival. If your goal is keeping them for an extended time between trips you need 3 things - cool water - fresh water - oxygen.