The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20060501071821/http://www.nelliesbait.com:80/keepingbait.htm

 

 

   Map

 

   Baits we offer

   Tips on Keeping Live Bait

   Sizes and Bait Counts

   Gamefish Info.

   Koi

   Water Plants

   Fish Pricing

   Bait shop news & events

 

 

 

Keeping live minnows:


    As a bait shop owner, one of the greatest challenge that you will face is the challenge of holding live minnows.  Water quality is the single most important factor in determining your success.  In order to maintain good water quality, the shop owner must understand a few things about water and the fish themselves.  Fish perform all their bodily functions in water.  Because fish are totally dependant upon water to breathe, feed, grow, excrete their wastes, and maintain salt balance, understanding the physical and chemical properties of water is critical.  By far the best method to maintain this water quality is accomplished by a flow through method of changing the water.  A constant flow of fresh water into your holding system; decreases water temps, removes fish wastes, and increases the oxygen capacity of the system.

        Dissolved Oxygen is by far the most important chemical parameter in fish handling.  Low dissolved oxygen levels are responsible for more fish kills than all other problems combined.  The amount of oxygen required by fish is a function of its size, feeding rate, actively level and temperature.  Small fish consume more oxygen than do larger fish. because of their higher metabolic rate.  Therefore; One pound of larger fish (golden shiners) will require less oxygen than will one pound of smaller fish (fathead minnows).  The key to good aeration is many small bubbles.  A few large bubbles generated by your air system is basically useless.  Maintaining good clean air stones is the best way to ensure proper dissolved oxygen levels.

    After oxygen, temperature may be the single most important factor affecting the welfare of the fish.  Fish are cold-blooded organisms and assume approximately the same temperature as their surroundings.  The temperature of the water affects the activity, behavior, feeding, and immune systems of fishes.  Metabolic rates double for each 18 degree rise in water temperature.  Water temperature also affects ammonia levels and pathogen growth.  The colder the water, the better it is for all bait operations.  Typically water temperatures under 55 degrees are best.

    Fish rely heavily on their gills for the removal of nitrogenous wastes, primarily in the form of ammonia.  In fresh water fish, salt is constantly being lost in this process through their gills.  Also, large amounts of water enter the fish through their skin and gills.  This is because the salt concentration in fish is lower than the salt concentration in most water sources.  Because of this the fishes body constantly struggling to maintain this 'balance' and prevent water from entering its body.  By understanding the need to maintain a water balance, one can understand why the use of salt in fish handling is one of the most important practices.  Salt at certain levels, also helps fish fight off fungus and other pathogens.

    Suspended fish wastes are a serious concern for bait holding systems.  Large amounts of fish wastes are produced by fish handling.  Fish wastes can be a major source of poor water quality.  These wastes not only irritate the fish's gills, but they can cause several problems in the holding system, resulting in fish disease through bacteria growth.  These wastes can be removed only by water changes.

    Fish excrete ammonia into the water as a waste product.  Toxic ammonia levels increase as PH and temperature increase.  Toxic levels of ammonia rarely reach dangerous levels in natural waters due to the low densities of fish.  But the bait shop owner must maintain high densities of fish and, therefore, runs the risk of ammonia toxicity.  Limiting feeding and keeping a cool holding system can limit ammonia toxicity.

    The last factor is PH.  Changes in PH can affect fish in many ways. Typically, a PH between 6.5 and 9.0 is considered safe.

    So in conclusion, proper aeration, temperature, frequent water changes, limiting feeding and the use of salt can all ensure that your bait holding system will function at its best.  Remember, we are dealing with live organisms that have been stressed and handled many times on route to your shop.  With the rising costs of live bait, any improvement in your bait system or handling practices, will increase your ability to keep bait, which will directly result in higher profits for your operation.


Keeping refrigerated baits:  

Best kept between 38 and 42 degrees   

Refrigerated baits include:
Nightcrawlers
Redworms
Mealworms
Maggots (spikes)  Best kept airtight and dark
Baby Nightcrawlers (dillys)
Butterworms

 

 

 

Keeping Waxworms:

 Best kept between 48 and 52 degrees with the lid off and proper ventilation

Keeping Salted Minnows:

Best kept frozen

 

Copyright © 2003 Nellies Wholesale Bait Co. All rights reserved.