How to Keep Bait Alive
Live fish bait will catch more fish than artificial bait, but there's a catch -- live bait is sometimes dead by the time the fisherman gets to the lake. There are a few tricks to try to keep live bait fresh until it is time to feed them to the fish. This will work for all kinds of bait fish as well as shrimp.
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Instructions
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Fill the live well with fresh or salt water depending on what the bait needs to survive. If the bait happens to be shrimp, leave a dip net in the well so the shrimp do not cling to each other.
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The well must have the proper water flow for the bait. Most fish need the water to move at 1 to 2 MPH to stay healthy.
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Add 1 to 2 cups of ice per gallon of water to the live well. This will slow down the fish so they do not wear out or damage each other.
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Stop a few times on the trip to remove half of the water and replace it with new water.
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Use a bait net to handle or prod the live bait.
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Tips & Warnings
Never put your hand into the bait well. Your hands may have residues of sunscreen, oils, perfumes and lotions that could be toxic to the bait fish.
