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
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