Avid fishermen are not stopped by the onset of frost. Only fishing productivity can be significantly reduced with baitless bait. This is explained by the passivity of predators in cold water. Therefore, the fisherman must try to activate the sleepy fish. The method of fishing with live bait will help with this. The question is how to preserve the fry for fishing in the winter.
Live bait - fry
Saving Features
First of all, place the live bait in a container of water and put it in a cool place. When a thin layer of ice forms on the surface, the weakened specimens will die - only the most viable ones will remain. Transplant them into a separate container for long-term preservation.
To ensure that the artificial water storage does not lack oxygen, hang a bucket with a holey bottom filled with fresh water above it. It will fall into the vat with live bait, thereby providing an influx of oxygen. You will also need to add clean snow once a week (2 kg per bucket is enough).
If there is a natural reservoir nearby, you can immerse live bait there in a net or bottle with a pierced bottom (this guarantees an influx of fresh water).
Net for keeping live bait under the ice
A few more tips for experienced fishermen:
- divide live fish by species - it is not recommended to keep them together (the ruffe that secretes toxic mucus is especially dangerous in the neighborhood);
- do not overpopulate the container with live bait, even during short-term storage - the optimal ratio of fish to water is 1:8 (14-16 pieces are enough for 10 liters);
- start experimenting with crucian carp - these are the most tenacious representatives, adapted to any living conditions;
- do not touch the live bait with your hands so as not to put it into temperature shock - you will need a special scoop for jigging;
- do not forget to feed the bait at least once a week using regular aquarium fish food.
What affects shelf life
The safety of live bait depends on the following factors:
- View . Most inhabitants of freshwater bodies are unsuitable for long-term storage.
- Capacity . Should be spacious enough.
- Temperature . It is extremely important that the water in the container is cooler.
- Regularity of water renewal . To extend the life of the fish, the water must be changed frequently.
- Oxygen . The water must be saturated with oxygen.
Tips for a fisherman: How to assemble a winter fishing rod with a float - All the nuances
Several small holes are made in the bottoms of the bottles. Through them, fresh water gradually flows to the live bait, the oxygen level rises and the fish practically do not “fall asleep”. The number of live bait is calculated as follows. There are fifteen live bait per bucket of water poured into the bathtub. As a result, more than a hundred “guests” will be able to “live” in the bath without any problems.
Short term storage
If you don’t plan to store the fish for several weeks in a row (fishing is scheduled for the near future), you don’t have to be too sophisticated. Immediately after purchasing or catching, place it in a pot of cool water and place it where the ambient temperature is below zero or slightly higher (balcony, refrigerator, cellar).
Device for storing and transporting live bait
Kan means a container for storing live bait. Previously, fishermen made it themselves from improvised containers: cans, buckets, tanks and other things. Now such an accessory can be bought in a specialized store. It would be better if it were made of plastic – a material with good thermal protection.
How long can I keep live bait alive for girdle fishing?
But the question arises about its storage, so that after a week or two the live bait remains alive. It’s good if you live in your own house - then you can keep live bait in a basin or bucket in the cellar.
And for city dwellers there is a very simple and cunning way to keep the fish alive in the girders and without wasting time on changing water, on aeration or other issues.
The trick is that live bait should be stored in natural conditions - right in the water of the reservoir. Of course it's better with the current.
Everything is quite simple and without unnecessary pathos...
All you need is a PET bottle – popularly called a “one and a half bottle”. And it needs to be modernized - to make a kind of aquarium for fish.
Using a screwdriver with a drill, we drill holes - holes in the top of the bottle and below - no holes are needed on the sides. The lid also needs one hole for a fishing line or cord, which we will use to tie a homemade aquarium.
We drill a hole in the reservoir and check the depth - the bottle with live bait should be at the bottom. We hang a weight on the fishing line and tie it.
Then we make a cut in the side of the bottle - 10-12 cm and launch our live bait through it. Afterwards everything goes into the hole. And don’t forget to mark the place so you can find it faster later.
Crucian carp lasts the longest, followed by roach (roach) in terms of survivability, followed by perch or ruff. It is only advisable to keep all types of fish separately.
You can watch the whole effect in the video from “River Master”:
Any time you plan to go fishing, return to the place with an improvised aquarium and take as many live bait as you need.
NHNCH (No tail, no scales) to everyone! Follow my new publications - it will be even more interesting!
Clean water and the possibility of replacing it. This condition plays a key role. The water must be clean and free of chlorine (relevant for centralized water supply to apartments). Its replacement is carried out periodically, while the selection - adding water, in one approach, should not exceed 1/3 of the volume of the container. The larger the fry, the more often they are replaced.
Storage at home
Winter is the easiest time to preserve bait. Since the fish becomes sluggish from the cold and all its life processes slow down, there is no need for frequent feeding. And the liquid remains clean for a long time. Let's look at what methods exist for storing live bait at home.
On the balcony in an ordinary basin
You will need a regular basin. Place it with its contents on the balcony, where the ambient temperature should be above 0 degrees. There is no need to cover the container. Be sure to change the water every 2-3 days. Feed live bait with special dry mixtures or bloodworms, but in moderation. If it gets too cold on the balcony, take the basin home.
Take advantage of the basement
Bury a bottle or other container with live bait in the ground to a depth of 30-35 cm. Enrich the storage with oxygen by regularly changing the water. An alternative is an aquarium aerator. Feed the bait no more than once a day.
How to keep attractive baitfish:
1. Do not handle live bait with dry hands. If you pick up live bait with a dry or gloved hand, you are guaranteed to remove some of the mucus that covers the fish’s body. And mucus is a kind of important component of the life of a fish, and without it, especially when it is hooked, the fish quickly falls asleep, which does not have the best effect on the bite.
2. It is clear that live bait needs to be stored in a container with water. But few people change this water periodically. I do this about once an hour. If you do not change the water, then live bait somehow loses its activity, which again does not add positive points to them.
3. It is recommended to keep the container with live bait in the shade and do not overheat it.
4. In winter, many fishermen store live bait in a kind of hole, which is hollowed out in the ice and filled with water. I do the same, but with the difference that around this hole I make a wall of snow, which protects the water surface from the wind and faster freezing. And if possible, you can cover such a hole on top with fabric, plywood, a bag, etc. This will protect from the wind, and also from some birds, which in some regions are very active in winter.
5. And lastly, one of my friends claims that if you put live bait in the water, it somewhat prolongs its life. I don’t have such statistics, but this is how I hook live bait.
There are other secrets that concern live bait for fishing; most likely, each fisherman has his own stock of such nuances, which he already “automatically” applies in his practice.
I hope that the points listed above will be useful to you.
Long-term storage
Avid fishermen manage to keep live bait throughout the winter period. Methods depend on living conditions. For city dwellers, a suitable option is to place the bait in the refrigerator, on a glassed-in loggia. And in a private house, a suitable place would be a cellar, basement or garage (even if there is no heating in it).
Important! When live fry are kept in a large container for a long time, it is not advisable to feed them. Otherwise, the water quickly turns sour and the fish die. She is able to live the whole winter without feeding.
Homemade bait storage
There is an alternative method for those who live near a natural body of water:
- In an ordinary plastic bottle, small holes are made at the bottom with a nail (heat it) and live bait is released.
- Then they tie a fishing line to the neck and lower the vessel into a hole carved in the ice.
- This place is marked in any way so as not to be lost and camouflaged with snow.
Advice! In order not to lose the entire supply of bait, it is recommended to distribute it into several bottles and distribute it into different holes. Even if someone else discovers your cache, several more saves will remain.
Let's figure out how to keep crucian carp alive for the winter as bait. To do this, you must follow certain rules.
How much water to pour
The same conditions as for aquariums do not apply here. After all, a fish does not need to grow and develop. The amount of liquid poured into the container depends on the location where storage is planned. It would be good if the water level in height was equal to the size of 3-4 fish in diameter. If the kan is placed on the balcony, pour more. Otherwise, it freezes. An approximate calculation is 35-45 fish per 10 liters of liquid.
Selection of containers
The containers are selected based on the number of live fish. Any containers will do: enameled, plastic, stainless steel. The main thing is that the dishes are voluminous and of considerable diameter. The larger the area of contact between the water surface and the air space, the better. You should not pour to the very edges - great depth has a negative effect on the fish.
If there is a small batch of fry, a purchased can will do. It is small in size and fits easily into the refrigerator.
Temperature
In winter, live bait is better than in summer or autumn. To extend its viability, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the aquatic environment within +5-6 ᵒС. If the temperature drops, you need to make sure that the fry do not freeze to the ice (systematically break the ice from above).
Changing water
The main thing is not to forget to periodically drain the old water and add fresh water. The procedure is carried out at least 1 time every 3 days. Perch is considered the most sensitive in terms of living conditions. If the liquid contains excess chlorine, it must first be left for at least a day.
When storing live bait for a long time, the water is changed not completely, but partially. Using a special pipe, express a quarter of the volume and add the same amount.
Oxygen
High-quality aeration is the key to preserving live bait for a long period. If such a device (usually used by aquarists) is available, it is better to use it. It is enough to run it for 2 hours every day. If the container is located where there is no access to electricity, they use another method: cover the tank with a net and periodically scoop up water with any small dish and pour it back from a height (like a waterfall).
Transfer to Kan
When storing live bait, the main thing is to prevent sudden temperature changes in the water. When fry are moved into a transport container (going for winter fishing), this rule must be taken into account. The water where the live bait is placed should not be warmer than the previous one. It is unacceptable to touch the fish with your fingers - only use a net.
Use a net to catch fish
Can for storing live bait
Some professionals recommend storing live bait in a special can on an uninsulated balcony. Storage in such a canna is possible throughout the winter period. Unless, when particularly severe frosts occur, you will have to bring live bait home. To make it, you need to take a cann with a tight-fitting lid.
The lid should have many holes to supply fresh air. Cover the kan on all sides with any insulation. Polyrex is well suited for this purpose, which can be easily purchased at any building materials store. After completely pasting the canna, you need to sew a cover for it, preferably from waterproof fabric. If necessary, the cover is additionally lined with foam rubber. In a container insulated in this way, live bait is perfectly preserved throughout the winter.
Some winter fishermen, especially those who own a suburban area, equip it with a small insulated dugout. An old iron bathtub or other container of suitable size is dug into the floor of the dugout. Several large plastic bottles with water are installed on the roof of the dugout (directly above the container with live bait).
Several small holes are made in the bottoms of the bottles. Through them, fresh water gradually flows to the live bait, the oxygen level rises and the fish practically do not “fall asleep”. The number of live bait is calculated as follows. There are fifteen live bait per bucket of water poured into the bathtub. As a result, more than a hundred “guests” will be able to “live” in the bath without any problems.
Before introducing the fry into the bath, it is recommended to cull the material. To do this, candidates for “settlement” are first placed in a small container with water and left in a cold room until the first ice crust appears. After this, the weakened fry will rest, and the remaining ones can be moved to the bathtub.
If it is necessary to preserve live bait (small roach or bream) for 2-3 days, then the approximate ratio of the weight of fish and water should be 1:50 at a water temperature in the canna of 4-6 ° C. So in a 12 liter canna you can save 20-25 live bait weighing 10-15g. If there is a need to store live bait for more than a week, then the ratio should be 1:100. For perch and bleak, these figures will be even higher. If it is possible to use an aerator (aquarium compressor), then the population density can be increased.
Winter fishing for predators with live bait in most cases involves pole fishing, which means installing 5-10 or more poles. In this regard, the issue of harvesting and preserving fry for fishing in the winter is quite acute.
It seemed that nothing could be simpler: I came fishing, caught some fresh bait and went into battle. However, it often happens that it is simply impossible to catch live bait on the spot, much less the required quantity, this is especially true in reservoirs where there are a lot of active predators. As a result, fishing is in jeopardy. Therefore, experienced garrison fishermen always try to prepare the fry in advance before fishing or even for future use, so that there is enough for several trips.
The easiest way is to buy live bait in a store or market, but this is not always possible. Therefore, you need to have several bodies of water in mind where you are guaranteed to catch small fish. These can be flowing ponds or quarries with sandy soil and a minimum of bottom vegetation; in such reservoirs, small perch, roach, etc. are active throughout the freeze-up period.
To catch live bait you will need the thinnest and most sensitive gear: a light “balalaika” fishing line no more than 0.8 mm. and the smallest jigs with a thin and sharp hook, since most often you only have to hook one bloodworm, sometimes with a stocking. But still, catching live bait for future fishing is only half the battle; now you need to keep it alive and active.
How to preserve live bait for winter fishing? Everyone knows that any predator attacks first of all a sick and weakened victim. The live bait on the hook of a zherlitsa is very similar to a sick fish, but if it is too lethargic, then this is not good. And there are often cases when, having arrived for fishing and opening the eland, we have dead baitfish. Most often this happens from a lack of oxygen.
Without going into details of ichthyology, one thing we can say is that fish, due to their biological characteristics, require more oxygen the higher the water temperature. Consequently, warm water in eland and “overcrowding” are one of the main reasons for oxygen starvation of live bait. Different types of fish tolerate a lack of oxygen differently. So the most tenacious in this regard are crucian carp and tench, followed by roach, white bream, silver bream, perch and the most oxygen-demanding bleak.
If it is necessary to preserve live bait (small roach or bream) for 2-3 days, then the approximate ratio of the weight of fish and water should be 1:50 at a water temperature in the canna of 4-6 ° C. So in a 12 liter canna you can save 20-25 live bait weighing 10-15g. If there is a need to store live bait for more than a week, then the ratio should be 1:100. For perch and bleak, these figures will be even higher. If it is possible to use an aerator (aquarium compressor), then the population density can be increased.
With proper maintenance, some types of fish can be preserved at home for 1-2 or more months, primarily this applies to crucian carp and roach. To do this, you need a fairly spacious container, and it’s good if it is wider than tall, so the water will be better enriched with oxygen. The water should be changed twice in the first week, then once every ten days.
It is worth keeping live bait stored for the winter in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature; a basement is best suited for this. Most fish species feed poorly in winter, or do almost without food at all, so when storing live bait in cold water, you do not need to worry about the fish’s nutrition. If the bait fish are moving towards the surface and swallowing air, then it’s time to change the water.
In order for the live bait on the hook to remain alive and active longer, it should be hooked carefully so as not to damage the spine if you hook it behind the back. Live bait that is sensitive to injury (bleak, gudgeon) is best placed in water. In a clean reservoir and under favorable conditions, live bait on a winter baitfish hook can remain active for a week.
7. If the live bait was stored at home in warm water, then before going fishing, and I had to go within an hour, I put the live bait on the balcony in advance so that the water began to cool. You should not put live bait from the warm water of the eland into the cold water of a river or lake, as this can cause thermal shock and kill it. The ideal variation would be equal temperature in the canna and in the water of the reservoir.
Girders are often used to catch predators in winter conditions. Whole fish or their pieces are used as bait. In Quebec, during the winter, it is legal to fish with both dead and live fish - live bait .
Tips for fisherman: Which winter jig for roach is better - Detailed review
At the same time, here you can fish almost only with purchased live bait. It is prohibited to catch predators with almost all types of fish that can be caught in local reservoirs. That is, the usual method (caught a roach or perch from a reservoir where you are going to catch pike) does not work here. The only exception to the list is mené , which are usually sold in fishing stores.
Therefore, for garrisons, taking care of acquiring and storing live bait is a necessity and preparation for fishing. Of course, it is very convenient to buy live bait on the way to fishing, but this does not always work out. Then you have to buy live bait in advance, for example, in the evening, so that you can go out on the ice early in the morning.
It also sometimes happens that after fishing a certain amount of live bait remains. I had to store them at home for several days until the next fishing trip. As a result of observation, trial and error, we came up with a set of rules for storing live bait at home and when fishing on ice.
1. The higher the water temperature, the more oxygen is required for the fish. Overcrowding and warm water in the eland are the main cause of oxygen starvation. And with a lack of oxygen in the water, baitfish begin to die. Therefore, it is best to store live bait at a temperature of 4-6 degrees, on a covered balcony or in a garage. If this is not possible, then in the coolest possible place in the apartment.
2. If the fish begin to float up and swallow air, then this is a clear sign that there is very little oxygen in the water. To meet the oxygen requirement, special camp aerators are used. If there are none, then you can simply scoop up water regularly and pour it back in a trickle. When fishing, you can add snow to the eland so that oxygen from the snow passes into the water. In the same way, you can provide oxygen when transporting the remaining live bait home.
3. When storing, it is better to use wide containers. Oxygen penetrates well into water from its surface only 10 cm deep. Therefore, it is better to use a basin that has some water in it rather than a large, deep bucket. The large area of contact between water and air ensures better natural saturation of water with oxygen.
4. When storing live bait, it is better to have round or oval containers. Then the fish will be able to swim in a circle, since there will be no corners in which they could rest and stand. Movement provides fish with better oxygen intake.
5. The volume of water depends on the number of live bait and the required storage period. For several days of storage, the volume of water is calculated from a ratio of 1:50, and for storage of more than a week - from a ratio of 1:100. At the same time, you need to regularly monitor the water: if stains of dirt appear on the surface, or the water becomes too cloudy, this means that it is time to change the water.
6. When changing water, you must observe the temperature regime. Live bait will be able to tolerate a difference of 3 degrees, but a large difference can cause them to die. Before changing the water, I place a bucket of new water next to the bucket with the fish for a few hours so that the water temperature becomes the same. In addition, this time is necessary for the chlorine to come out of the new tap water. Then the movement of live bait into new water is safe.
I had an incident while fishing: I brought a bucket of live bait from the store and decided to immediately add water from the river to it, since the store did not fill enough water. He only poured in a cup of cold water, but it was enough for two dozen small baitfish to die in a few minutes. Since then, if it is necessary to add water on the spot, I place a bucket with live bait on the ice so that the water in it cools down as much as possible, and only then add water from the hole.
7. If the live bait was stored at home in warm water, then before going fishing, and I had to go within an hour, I put the live bait on the balcony in advance so that the water began to cool. You should not put live bait from the warm water of the eland into the cold water of a river or lake, as this can cause thermal shock and kill it. The ideal variation would be equal temperature in the canna and in the water of the reservoir.
8. A special bucket for storing and carrying live bait (eland) may have a simple plastic wall, or may contain a thermal insulating layer such as foam. In the latter cannes, the water temperature changes more slowly, so this fact must also be taken into account.
Following these simple rules will help you enjoy fishing for zherlitsa.
By the way, live bait can also get a thermal burn from a simple touch of a human palm. When you put a live bait on a hook, you have to pick it up with one hand or your fingers. The difference between the temperature of your hand and the temperature of the water in which the bait was swimming is more than 20-25 degrees. For a small fish this is a very big and painful difference.
Therefore, try to attach the fry quickly to prevent thermal burn for the baitfish. For this purpose, you can also use a special waterproof or rubber glove that does not transfer the heat of your hands. You should also quickly lower the baited bait into the hole so that it does not freeze in the cold or strong wind. I took it out of the canna, put it on the hook and into the hole.
I will write about local species of live bait that are sold in fishing stores in the next article.
Today I will tell you how to preserve live bait in winter. The ice fishing season is beginning, and ice fishing enthusiasts are sorting out their gear. The main question when fishing with girders is how to preserve live bait and bring it to the fishing spot alive.
Today I will tell you how to preserve live bait in winter. The ice fishing season is beginning, and ice fishing enthusiasts are sorting out their gear. The main question when fishing with girders is how to preserve live bait and bring it to the fishing spot alive.
Tips for fisherman: How to properly fish with a reelless reel in winter video - Let's take it step by step
Storing live bait is divided into two options. 1. Long-term storage of large quantities of live bait caught in advance in winter. 2. Storing live bait purchased or caught the day before fishing.
If you are going to store a large amount of live bait all winter, you will need a large container of water (at the rate of 15-20 fish per 10 liters of water) and an air aeration system, plus constant monitoring of the water temperature so that it does not rise above 6 degrees. Such a place can be organized in an unheated garage or on a balcony. But why do you need this if you are not going to do business selling live bait?
Most often, an angler is faced with the question of preserving live bait purchased on the eve of fishing, for example, on Friday, before going to the ice on Saturday or Sunday. The best option would be to purchase live bait in a store where the live bait is placed in a plastic bag with water, the free space of which is filled with oxygen and sealed tightly. In this case, at home, it is enough to place the live bait in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf and there it can easily lie for several days.
If there are no shops with oxygen nearby, then live bait can be stored on the balcony in a wide container, for example, in a laundry basin, or in a large plastic bucket at the rate of no more than 20 fish per 10 liters of water. If the temperature on the balcony is sub-zero, you will have to periodically remove the ice crust that forms so that there is access to oxygen to the water. There is no need to feed the fry.
After harvesting or purchasing live bait, it should be immediately placed in the cold. Even without care, fish are stored in a can for 2-3 days . If fishing is planned for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, there is no need to create additional conditions; the bait can be left in the canal. If you add water, first take a little from the can to dilute it and prevent a temperature rise.
Storage while fishing in cold weather
For winter fishing on an ongoing basis, it is advisable to buy a can from a store. It is convenient to store and deliver live bait to the fishing spot. There is a mesh built inside this device, which allows you to avoid catching the fish manually.
If there is no canal, you can use snow. It also holds heat well. Therefore, burying a bucket in a snowdrift will prevent the water from freezing. Another practical option for preserving live bait while fishing is to place the fry in a plastic container under a crust of ice. First, pierce the bottom in several places and wrap a rope around the neck. Then immerse it in the well of the reservoir up to the neck and screw on the lid.
The holes where the bait is placed are marked
In addition to the plastic cylinder, you can adapt other devices (purchased or homemade):
- metal mesh cage;
- a large-capacity plastic bag (not for food, but for industrial purposes), with a cargo attached.
How to bait live bait
To prolong the life and activity of the baitfish on the hook, it must be inserted carefully, without damaging the spine if the hook is caught behind the back. Some species that are sensitive to hook damage, such as gudgeon or bleak, are hooked on it in the water. A fish hooked in clean water can remain active for up to a week.
Live bait is attached to single and double hooks with metal leaders, as well as to rigs consisting of several hooks. One hook can severely injure an active baitfish, while two hooks will keep it in a state of low mobility. However, predatory fish are reluctant to take live bait set with several hooks. It is better not to take hooks that are too large for live bait.
The baitfish is attached to one of the three parts of its body. Either behind the back, passing the hook under the upper fin, without touching the spine, or behind the head, hooking the fish by one or both lips, or by the nostril, while pulling the hook through the cheek. Live bait is also strung on a hook by the tail part above the ridge.
Hooks are also tied to the fish’s body with threads or soft wire so that they do not touch its body.
Although this method of attaching live bait is somewhat troublesome, if the hooks are tied carefully, the bait remains alive for a long time.
How large a supply of live bait is needed for winter fishing? The answer depends on the frequency of your fishing trips and how effectively you preserve your bait.
Experienced fishermen do not stock up on more than fifty live baits - tops or minnows. And they stock up on perch and roach for just a couple of fishing trips.
After fishing, unused live bait should be saved, taken home and used later.
Source: 34fish.ru
How to store live crucian carp in winter
What kind of live bait can be stored for a long time
When choosing the type of fish for bait, they are guided by the preferences of predators in the reservoir. But this option is not always feasible in practice, since obtaining food supply in winter is problematic.
Crucians are the most common bait in winter
Therefore, they go to specialized stores and choose from the presented assortment. Mostly young crucian carp are sold. However, predatory fish do not particularly like them. The most in demand as winter live bait are juvenile perch and roach. And burbot and cod love pipe cleaners (they are not often found on sale, so many people get them themselves).
Of all the types of fish used for bait, crucian carp are the most persistent and unpretentious. They fall into a sleepy state at low temperatures and are able to live for several days, even outside the aquatic environment. But with some individuals there will be more worries - when removed from their usual environment, they quickly die. For example, predators love loaches, loaches and bleak. However, this fish is not suitable for long-term storage.
