Livewell Basics
Please Release Me!
October 27, 2008
Mike “IKE” Iaconelli made apparent to all tournament anglers just how important a livewell can be to an angler. During the 2006 Bass Master Classic Iaconelli opened his livewell and discovered his bass were dead. What followed was an emotional meltdown and a disqualification of that day’s catch. Naturally upset, Mike went on a rampage, kicking and pulling out one of his boat lights which supported the American flag and using some pretty hefty language! I love Mike’s enthusiasm and competitiveness; his emotions just got the best of him that day.
The livewell may be defined as the most important element of any tournament angler’s boat and when used correctly, they will keep fish alive and healthy all day long. As tournament anglers, we all know the importance of keeping fish alive and what that means to the fishing industry in general. Tournaments can be won or lost solely due to how well your livewell is performing, so pay close attention to your livewells throughout the entire day. With so much to think about during the day, an angler can get caught up in moment ie: what baits to use, where to fish, weigh-in time etc. Our livewell sometimes becomes a forgotten part of the fishing day equation.
Early and Late Season Water Temperature
Cooler water temperatures in the spring and then again in the fall allow the livewell system to perform as designed: set the control to “auto” or “fill” and let the livewell pumps fill the livewell with cool lake water. When in an area of the lake you suspect the water to be of poor quality, such as back of canyons or near marinas, turn the livewell control to “recirculate”. This will help avoid any of the bad water from entering your system and harming your catch.
Warm Water Conditions
During warmer water conditions, I use the 70-degree rule. Once the water temperature begins to reach 70 degrees it’s time to start thinking about livewell management. Cooling the water with ice will help prevent the temperature in your livewell from reaching the lethal level, and cooler water temps help to provide the high levels of oxygen which are vital to fish survival.
Ice works wonders during warm water tournaments. Start using the ice at your first fishing location; fill your livewell and set to “recirculate”. Use ice blocks to decrease the water temperature in the livewell. Remember, cool water will hold more oxygen than warm water and will lower the fish’s metabolism, allowing less oxygen to be used by your catch.
Blocks of ice work best because they melt slower then cubes and are cheap to make. I like to use plastic two liter soda bottles or half-gallon milk jugs. I fill them with water, freeze them and then use when needed. Depending on the water temperature, several jugs may be required throughout the day. You can monitor the temperature of your livewell by using a standard thermometer used by your local meat market.
Stabilizers for Your Livewell
There are many different types of livewell stabilizers on the market today. I’ve been using a product from Sure Life Laboratories called “Catch and Release” with great success. “Catch and Release” is a natural sedative that stimulates and protects the slime coat of the fish and instantly removes harmful chlorine and other toxic harmful water treatment chemicals. It will also boost oxygen transfer and protect against overall post-release infection. Rate of use: One teaspoon will treat 10 gallons of water; make sure to follow the directions on the label.
Sterilizing Your Livewell
The spread of invasive species such as Zebra Mussels has become a vital issue to the waters of the west. Livewells can spread invasive species, so please take the necessary measures such as sterilizing your livewell immediately following each fishing trip. Fill your livewell, pour in a couple ounces of household bleach or bromine per five gallons of livewell water, and run livewell pumps for a minimum of two minutes. The use of hot water (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or greater can also be used to flush out your livewell system and kill off the dreaded zebra mussel.
The next time you’re on the water, take time and pay close attention to what might just be the most important component of your fishing day!