Care for Live Bait

    The number one thing to keeping live baits lively, is to provide them with plenty of oxygen. There are all kinds of air pumps and aeration systems on the market, and they all claim this or that. The fact of the matter is that oxygen and carbon dioxide is exchanged with water at the surface (where air and water come into contact).

    The most effective type of system I've found is a spray pump that sprays water directly onto the surface of the baitwell water. This exchanges more oxygen and releases more carbon dioxide by moving the surface of the water (stirring the water of the baitwell). You can tell if your oxygen is low or depleted in your baitwell by the fact that your baits are at the surface gasping for air (or dead--dweee). The only thing to watch about the pump is keeping the foam filter on the bottom clean (the water flow starts to slow down). Reach down into the baitwell and rub the debris and slime off the filter. Also, rinse the debris from your baitwell and clean the filter after every trip.

    It is also important to exchange some of your baitwell water with fresh water as the day progresses. A bucket out with a bucket in, until the water clears up. This helps remove ammonia and debris buildup. It also helps maintain the baitwell temperature fairly constant with the bay water to prevent shocking your baits.

    Ya' spent big bucks for them live baits, don't turn 'em into hard head fodder. With just a little effort you can keep 'em lively and working for you.

• The most important factor is to move that surface
  water to exchange the oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Exchange some of your baitwell water with fresh
  bay water as the day progresses to remove debris
  and prevent shock.

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