Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Hey folks, been fishing with the new boat alot. This is my first boat with a live well. I need some info. on the best way to keep these bass healthy in the tank. So at the end of the day I can release and catchM another day. I have read putting additives in the live well will help and ice for these hot summer days. Just wanted to know how some of you folks get it done.

Use a deep cycle dual purpose battery as your cranking battery, and run your livewell a lot. Bass can survive if there's enough dissolved oxygen in their livewell water, and if it's circulated so the water is constantly being refreshed, so toxins don't build up. The pump doesn't use that much juice, and it will save your fish.

Oxygenators supply just that....pure oxygen. They will do more for fish in livewells than the constant battle to recirculate, adding rejuvenate or ice to the livewell. When the livewell temps go upwards of 90 degrees an oxygenator can do what nothing else can. If you don't have one, it's simple to buy an portable that will do the job under extreme heat conditions.

Mark 1 wrote:Oxygenators supply just that....pure oxygen. They will do more for fish in livewells than the constant battle to recirculate, adding rejuvenate or ice to the livewell. When the livewell temps go upwards of 90 degrees an oxygenator can do what nothing else can. If you don't have one, it's simple to buy an portable that will do the job under extreme heat conditions.

Sounds like a really good idea.

I will for sure give it a try. Thanks

Mark 1 wrote:Oxygenators supply just that....pure oxygen. They will do more for fish in livewells than the constant battle to recirculate, adding rejuvenate or ice to the livewell. When the livewell temps go upwards of 90 degrees an oxygenator can do what nothing else can. If you don't have one, it's simple to buy an portable that will do the job under extreme heat conditions.

The one I looked at said no salt water. At what point do they no longer work
The delta is more brackish farther inland, would this affect them ?

No reason to keep bass in a livewell unless it's a tournament.
Livewell management tips from Sure-Life labs who make Catch & Release & Please Release Me livewell additives have a few good video's on this topic.
Tom

I have tried everything that's mentioned above with additives and ice. I believe and preach in hot weather to turn pumps on manual and let them run all day. ( Not on a recirc mode either. Pump in fresh water ) You will rarely if ever lose a fish. You must have a good battery and you'll have no issues. The pumps usually run off starting battery.