Page 5 - Crappie NOW - April 2017
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KEEPING FISH ALIVE & HEALTHY
situation for both the fisherman and Tournament fishermen pour their fish into
tournament director. Both are responsible the weigh container just before going to the
for caring and handling of the crappie. The scales.
fish should be healthy and stay that way to
be released alive. There are factors involved
to make sure the fish are given the best comfortable so waters cannot be allowed to
chance for survival.” heat up. CoolWell has an excellent system
Oxygen is the first factor for healthy for cooling a livewell. Most fishermen opt
fish whether fishing for recreation or for adding ice. I try to maintain 68 to 70 in
tournaments, according to Dannenmueller. the livewell during warm and hot conditions.
Tournament fishermen use built-in livewells Pushing in fresh water is great until surface
or quality coolers made into livewells to keep water gets above 70 degrees. Others say 75
fish alive. A simple addition of a bubbler is the degrees is okay. After that, I prefer to cool
most basic item that is important. Outside the fish slowly using ice. Water frozen in milk
water from pumps and re-circulation pumps jugs and water bottles work great for a slow
also help with oxygen levels. A product release and to keep chlorinated water and
called Survivor adds fresh water and oxygen livewell water separated. I never use bagged
when the boat is moving. Serious fishermen ice directly because of the chlorine.
sometimes add medical oxygen for added “A third factor is chemicals. Sure-
support of the fish. Life, maker of Keep Alive, has decades of
“The second factor is temperature. experience taking care of fish. Their new
Livewells are insulated but the water does Crappie Rx is formulated to treat the water
heat up substantially similar to a cab of and care for fish in many different ways. Not
a truck in the sunshine. Fish must be
5 Crappie NOW April 2017
