Livewell Treatments....FYI

[Frogman]

Just thought I would share an interesting bit of information with everyone.  You can take this how you want to.   I am hosting a bass trail this year for the first time.   I wanted some real and factual information on how to keep as many fish alive as possible.  I went to the Auburn University fisheries department and spoke with the specialist in sport fishing.  I asked about the many livewell treatments on the market today.  The information I received was a little suprising.  They have actually done a few studies on the subject.  He said that most of those chemicals are actually harmful to the fish in the long run.  He said it may appear to give them energy at first, but eventually can wind up killing the fish.  He said he's not familiar with all the brands on the market, but he said do not use anything that contains hydrogen peroxide.  He said that it is basically lethal to bass.  His suggestion for a livewell treatment is non iodized salt.  Also...catch and release boats can be deadly to fish as well.   They have done studies at many tournaments and have found that people are overloading the catch and release boat and killing more fish than they are saving.  He said that the catch and release boat is a great idea if it is used in multiple trips and the fish are not overcrowded.  I just thought I would pass this information on and hopefully save a few of our fish! 

[NorcalBassin]

Thanks for the info. Might have to bring some salt on board!

[fourbizz]

Rejuvenade is bad. Please Release Me is good.

[5bass]

Rejuvenade is bad. Please Release Me is good.

Word

[Dockhead]

Rejuvenade is bad. Please Release Me is good.

Why? What is the difference?

[Frogman]

I have tried to find the ingredients for some of these products and I haven't been able to find them listed anywhere.  However, on Sure Life's website I did find a video where they recommended putting hydrogen peroxide in your live well.  I'm not an expert, but I don't think I would bet against the fisheries advice.  I don't know if it is used in Please Release me or not.  Once again I am not trying to step on any ones toes....Not saying one product is better or bad.  Just passing on advice given to me.  I'm just trying to do my part to insure preservation of these fish.

[fourbizz]

Rejuvenade is bad. Please Release Me is good.

Why? What is the difference?

Rejevenade is the one that makes them more "lively". It does this through irritation, thus stressing the fish more. Please Release Me has ingredients that sedate the fish, stressing them less.

[Frogman]

I have noticed that once I added Rejuvenade to my tank that the fish would start jumping as soon as it hit the water.... I will not be using this product anymore for sure.

[LoudounFisher]

I'd like to know if any of these products have thiamine aka vitamin B1. I saw a program about alligators dying mysteriously. It was traced to the fish they were eating being deficient in thiamine. They showed some fish that looked to be on the verge of death. Just adding some thiamine to the water totally revived the fish.

Here's a report that shows the importance of thiamine to fish.

http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/_files/factsheets/2006-1%20thiamine%20deficiency.pdf

[Frogman]

good luck finding ingredients.... ive tried

[Gatorbassman]

Just thought I would share an interesting bit of information with everyone. You can take this how you want to. I am hosting a bass trail this year for the first time. I wanted some real and factual information on how to keep as many fish alive as possible. I went to the Auburn University fisheries department and spoke with the specialist in sport fishing. I asked about the many livewell treatments on the market today. The information I received was a little surprising. They have actually done a few studies on the subject. He said that most of those chemicals are actually harmful to the fish in the long run. He said it may appear to give them energy at first, but eventually can wind up killing the fish. He said he's not familiar with all the brands on the market, but he said do not use anything that contains hydrogen peroxide. He said that it is basically lethal to bass. His suggestion for a livewell treatment is non iodized salt. Also...catch and release boats can be deadly to fish as well. They have done studies at many tournaments and have found that people are overloading the catch and release boat and killing more fish than they are saving. He said that the catch and release boat is a great idea if it is used in multiple trips and the fish are not overcrowded. I just thought I would pass this information on and hopefully save a few of our fish!

It sounds like he is talking about Rejuvinade. It's got a reputation of killing fish due to stress. As for "Please Release Me" and "Catch and Release" by Sure Life Labs. I have spent hours reading all of their research studies over the past years and they have done their homework. They've done long term studies with post release fish from tournaments and the outcome was 98% of the fish lived through the entire month long study after a tournament where their product was used properly across the board. If you really want to use something that is good for the long term health of your fish watch their videos on this site and practice what they teach.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/fish-care-in-the-livewell.html

[Catt]

I personally do not know Tony Gergely of Sure Life Labs but I've studied research Tony did for The Texas ShareLunker Program since it began. The Gergely's are members of the Coastal Conservation Association another organization I've been associated with since it's beginnings.

So if I want to know any thing concerning the handling of the bass catch doing any situation it will come from ShareLunker & Sure Life Labs.

Y'all think Paul Roberts & get carried away at times about the "science" of bass; with Tony & Lane I'm gonna sit there with a note pad

[fishfordollars]

I personally do not know Tony Gergely of Sure Life Labs but I've studied research Tony did for The Texas ShareLunker Program since it began. The Gergely's are members of the Coastal Conservation Association another organization I've been associated with since it's beginnings.

So if I want to know any thing concerning the handling of the bass catch doing any situation it will come from ShareLunker & Sure Life Labs.

Y'all think Paul Roberts & get carried away at times about the "science" of bass; with Tony & Lane I'm gonna sit there with a note pad

X2, I follow their advice and it works. Lost one fish the last two years and did not have their product in my livewell at that time. That's my mistake. Won't happen again.

[Team9nine]

good luck finding ingredients.... ive tried

This covers a little of it...

http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/2007/10/livewell-additi.html

[WRB]

Take a look at http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/handling-bass.html by Bob Lusk

Gilliland and Schramm have polluted the pond with negative statements in regards to H2O2 hydrogen peroxide. 3% H2O2 mixed to 1/2 cup to 15 gallons or 3/4 cup to 20 gallons of water actually helps the bass, however Gilliland claims it's harmful based on studies  made. It turns out the Gilliland study used 25% commerical grade H2O2 and that's is harmful;100% H2O2 is rocket fuel. 

Gilliland and Schramm also promoted the use of salt water and it works if deluded properly, however can be corrosive to livewell hardware.

Lane and Tony Gergerly are good friends of Doug Hannon, who also supports the use of 3% H2O2, keeping the water near 70 degrees during the summer period and Sure-Life products.

Lots of science available, both good and bad.

WRB