Livewell Maintenance For Small Tourney.

[chromedog]

Well season opener if finally here in upstate Ny this Saturday. I have decided to enter a small local tourney. I think I am all set to roll except for one thing......the livewell. I have a 48 quart - 12 gallon cooler with aerator that I will be using as a livewell. Now the limit for this tournament is 2 fish so it shouldn't be too bad. But my question is, anything I should do to aid in the survival of the fish caught? Should I add some salt? I know to freeze some soda bottles. But is there anything else you guys do to make sure the fish live for weigh-ins and when released? The tournament is only 4 hours long. Thanks in advance.

[J Francho]

Catch and Release has done me right.

[chromedog]

They will be released, after they are weighed in.

(Just realized what you were saying....hahahaha)

Thanks

[J Francho]

Catch and Release is product for the livewell. Click the link to the right.

[quanjig]

X2 on catch and release and frozen bottles as well. Follow the directions on the bottle and try to keep the livewell water cooler than the surface water, not freezing cold, about 10* cooler is sufficient. Good luck and let us know how you do!

[chromedog]

Lol, now I get it. Hahhahaah, little slow today I guess. Not sure I will get a chance to hit anywhere before Saturday am, so I may just use iodized salt for this first trip then order some of the catch and release. Thanks guys! I will let you know.

[J Francho]

Use a little peroxide instead of the salt.

[chromedog]

OK, At what quantities?

I see it says 1oz every 3 gallons of water. Sound about right?

[Glenn]

Everything you need to know about fish care, including the answers to your questions, can be found here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/#3

[J Francho]

OK, At what quantities?

I see it says 1oz every 3 gallons of water. Sound about right?

A splash of it will be fine. You cannot overdose. Glenn linked to the good videos on it.

[chromedog]

Thanks guys. I really apreciate it.

[J Francho]

Good luck, man. I was supposed to be fishing opening day tourneys, but my boat is still out of commission.

[chromedog]

Ya, I got the boat done back in April for the Walleye derby on May 5th & 6th on Oneida. I have only been out 3 times after that. And I was playing with the new electronics and stuff trying to get the boat all set. Really looking forward to it. Small tourney, first bass tournament ever. I probably won't sleep till Saturday afternoon now. Gotta make sure battery is charged up. Get rods ready. I gotta clean the livewell, probably use simple green on that tonight.

O, and foam is bad, did learn that from the video! Thanks again.

[chromedog]

What is up with you boat Francho?

[J Francho]

Some idiot hit my rig coming home from Conesus a two weekends ago. Could be another two weeks for trailer parts alone to come in. Then we'll address the dent in the boat.

[chromedog]

Wow, that really sucks. I watched the video. I would of flipped out bad, and my boat is nowhere what yours is. We get such a short season upstate that any delays just suck. Too bad insurance dont have rental boats like they do when your car gets whacked. Good Luck man, that is beyond pain.

[J Francho]

Well, I have the kayak for now. Just sucks dropping out of tournaments.

I wouldn't be too down on your boat. I had something very similar, a 16' deep-v tiller that served me VERY well for years. In fact, that boat was better than my bass boat on Lake Ontario. In some ways, I wonder about going back to a smaller boat. Heck, I used to row around Port Bay before I got the tiller, LOL.

[chromedog]

Well, aside from my partner breaking off one of my trailer arms when launching, and the lights acting up, tournament went well. Had a plan, stuck to it. Finished 5th out of 47. 1 lb out of the money. But was a great experiment and talked to some really nice guys. I need a real fishing partner, that is for sure, lol. But, put new arms on the trailer yesterday and re-wiring the whole trailer today. Can't wait till next week.

O, and I used almost 3/4 of a cup of salt, water bottles frozen, and the fish more than lived. Everyone was laughing at the weigh in. They were fighting for their freedom. Nice and lively and swam off strong. Thanks for the advise guys.

[chromedog]

O, and the best part. Got a lot of compliments on my tin boat.

[J Francho]

Good work, you should be proud of that finish. Everythimg must go right to win, and it sounds like you were mostly there. Congrats.

[sharrison]

Nice looking rig chromedog..

How stable is it when you're standing up front running the TM? I have been looking at a smaller boat as well and like the V-hull but was worried about the stability.