Herring in Bucket Question

I've heard it helps if the water is kept very cold by putting some ice cubes in it to slow the metabolism of the herring. Would guess same concept as making sure the bubbler system you're using is insulated. I know it works keeping other bait fish alive, have heard it helps with herring as well. Coool water, well oxygenated and a circular bucket or tank for them to swim. All contriubutes.

[AndyS]

Small frozen water bottles.

[Bruce Litton]

Thanks for the good suggestions. Will try, if Stanhope Bait & Boat is open.

[Castaway]

I purchased 18 herring Thursday evening. I had them in my cool garage in a 6 gallon bucket with a a good aerator running all night. When I woke up at 5am they were all dead except a few. Hopefully you will have better luck then me.

[go_fish]

If I get my herring the day before I fish - I keep them in our garage. I use two Home Depot buckets (six gallons?). I use an aerator that has two aerator hoses. I put six herring in each bucket. I also add the "blue powder" you get from the bait store (the come in a little plastic bucket) (I use shad keeper). The next day before I go fishing I put all the herring into one styrofoam bucket with an aerator. Never have a problem.

[go_fish]

Bruce - where are you salmon fishing? Any tips on catching
salmon would be appreciated. You can PM me if you want. TY

[Eskimo]

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Originally Posted by dakota560

I've heard it helps if the water is kept very cold by putting some ice cubes in it to slow the metabolism of the herring.

The trouble with ice is if it's made from chlorinated tap water, it releases chlorine into the water as it melts. Chlorinated water speeds the death of herring and shiners.

There are various livewell products that can be added to the water to help keep your bait alive. I have used ammonia neutralizers made for starting new aquariums (Amquel) to reduce the amount of ammonia the fish produce in the bucket until I can get them to the lake where I transfer the bait to a flow-troll bucket.

To keep the water from heating up in the car, i just blast the air conditioner and drive as fast as I can to the lake.

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[phil]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

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The trouble with ice is if it's made from chlorinated tap water, it releases chlorine into the water as it melts. Chlorinated water speeds the death of herring and shiners.

There are various livewell products that can be added to the water to help keep your bait alive. I have used ammonia neutralizers made for starting new aquariums (Amquel) to reduce the amount of ammonia the fish produce in the bucket until I can get them to the lake where I transfer the bait to a flow-troll bucket.

To keep the water from heating up in the car, i just blast the air conditioner and drive as fast as I can to the lake.

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do they survive in the flow troll? i was staying @ byram cove last week and took a trip to dows to pickup shiners, left the cooler with aerator back at the house, like an idiot and brought the flowtroll. my 6 year old was freaking out about how he wanted to get herring but i didnt think theyd survive the trip back. i think lori felt bad for me so she tossed a couple herring in with a dozen shiners for the kid. those stupid ******* fish were dead in the 12 minutes it took to drive to our rental.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by phil

do they survive in the flow troll?

Yes, they do alright. I keep the flow-troll in the water and I fish in the evening, so the bucket isn't in the sun.



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[OMC]

As I posted you have to use a very good Aerator to keep Herring Alive. I use this one http://www.marinemetal.com/products/.../power-bubbles

The battery operated cheap ones will not do the Job and they will die.

If I am planning on keeping them for an extend period of time I place them Large Bucket and have the bait shop fill it to the top and then add a scoop of the Blue Stuff they use for the bait. I will change the water with Cold Well Water the next day only if I have to keep then longer and use a cooler instead of the bucket. I never have any issues the key is to keep them in a lot of water that is very aerated. Good Luck