Obviously you can't live bait if you can't keep it alive, and this can often be quite a task. Keeping your baits happy,
healthy and kicking can be approached in many ways, so I have put down a few key tips to remember; and some good
alternatives to fully plumbed live bait tanks.
I will start with problems that affect even perfectly plumbed tanks and go from there.
COMMON PROBLEMS
If you have a fully plumbed, top of the line bait tank, then you are well ahead of the game but will still have fish
dying. If the tank becomes overcrowded fish will start to die.
Remember the bigger the baits the less will survive in your tank. Baits so big they can't freely swim around the tank
will have a high mortality rate. Once fish have died make sure to remove them from the tank as it will affect the
remaining survivors.
When you are catching bait make sure to handle them as little as possible. If possible catch bait with long shank hooks
then hold the shank of the hook and shake the bait off and straight into the tank. That way you never touch the fish.
ALTERNATIVE TANKS
If you don't have an inbuilt tank, or room for this, the next best thing is to use an esky. In a good sized tinnie I
have even plumbed a good quality esky with great results, the next best thing to an esky is the good old fashioned 'kill
box' the ones commercial fishos use for storing their catch.
Eskies work very well as bait tanks because one major problem for keeping fish alive is change in water temperature. Not
only are fish very sensitive to temperature change but when water warms up it loses its dissolved oxygen killing the
fish.
A 50 litre tank of water in summer warms up very quickly, this is very important to remember when you don't have any
circulation in your tank. The temperature problem also relates to colour, try and use white tanks so they don't attract
more heat.
FRESH WATER
Without having the tank plumbed you will have to use a bucket to constantly refresh the water in the tank, its hard work
but often worth it. You can also purchase small bait pumps that will help but I've found that you still need to use the
bucket but just not as often.
When you pour water into your tank don't try to be gentle, this is a mistake, it is best to do it from a good height and
create a lot of foam, this is oxygen mixing with the water and benefits your baits.
OXYGEN
Another key point is the shape of the tank. Ideally a high surface area is great which again is why most eskies work well
and so do 'kill boxes'.
The higher the surface area the more oxygen can dissolve into the water, this is also why little kiddy wading pools are
perfect when fishing from the shore.
THE BASKET CASE
One last useful tip for boat fishos is to have a laundry basket that is deep and narrow in shape. Put some weight in the
bottom of the basket and flotation around the top of the basket.
When you are at anchor simply put this in the water and tie it of to the side of the boat. Transfer your livebaits from
your tank into the basket while fishing at anchor and they will stay healthier than in any livebait tank. Always have a
small net for transferring the baits so as not to damage your baits.
Remember the better you handle your livebaits the better baits they're going to be.
Copyright 2006 Obsession Sessions
About The Author: DAN BURGESS is keen angler, writer, video producer and a graduate of the Marine Sciences school of
Sydney University. His latest project is the 2Dans Fishing video. It's all about how to catch kingfish around his native
waters in Australia, and features entertaining action and informative fishing tips.
Check out the free fishing videos, photo galleries and articles at http://fishermandan.com.au