Fresh bait is important for fisherman because it will attract the most fish but that usually means you need fresh bait. The problem for many is they simply don’t have a way of keeping bait fresh. Here are some of the best ways to keep your bait fresh and catch more fish!
Best Ways to Keep Your Bait Fresh
There are many ways to keep your bait fresh, but the most popular method is to use a cooler or a live bait bucket as part of your fishing gear. You can also freeze your bait if you plan on using it later. Another option is to wet your bait and place it in a sealed container rather than just tossing it into your tackle box.
Best Ways to Keep Your Bait Fresh
One a recent fishing trip in August I decided to buy some frozen shrimp from the local grocery store. After all, I wasn’t planning on staying long and didn’t have much time.
As many of you know, shrimp can cook really quick and making sure they are cool the entire time is a must. And with the sunlight beating down on the clear plastic bag the shrimp were contained in it actually cooked them and they turned pink in just a short time while I was rigging lines.
I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly but it does drive the point home about why it’s so important to keep your bait fresh this is even more important if you’re using live bait. Here are some tips to help make sure your bait stays fresh and you don’t have this same fate.
Use a LiveWell if You’re on a Boat
If you’re lucky enough to be on a boat with a livewell then that is the best place for keeping bait alive. The livewell will help keep the water temperature at a consistent level and also has an aerator to keep the oxygen levels high for baits and fish. Of course having a seperate well for your catch is needed. This is the ideal situation for your baitfish.
Use a bucket livewell or bait keeper
There are livewell products that you can use to have a livewell even if you’re not on a boat. There are complete packages such as the Marine Metal Individual Bait Saver Livewell (view on Amazon here). You can also make your own livewell using a bubbler like pictured below:
One problem you may have with a bubbler is that the ammonia will build up in the water which can harm your bait and over time will kill them. Having a bait system that circulates fresh water in can help with this problem. Using a complete system is the best way to keep your bait fresh.
Use Ice in Your Cooler or Live Bait Bucket
If you don’t have a livewell then your next best option is to use ice in your cooler or live bait bucket. This will help keep the bait cool and also alive for a longer period of time. You can buy bags of ice at most convenience stores or gas stations. Just make sure you don’t put too much ice in the cooler as it can cause the bait to die.
Wet Your Bait and Place it in a Container
Another option is to wet your bait and place it in a sealed container. This will help keep the bait moist and also prevent it from drying out. You can use a container with holes in it or even a Ziploc bag. Just make sure you don’t put too much bait in the container as it can cause the oxygen levels to drop and the bait to suffocate.
Freeze Your Bait for Later Use
If you’re not planning on using your bait right away then you can freeze it for later use. This is a great option if you catch more bait than you need or if you know you won’t be able to fish for a while. Just make sure you don’t leave the bait in the freezer for too long as it can start to deteriorate.
These are just a few of the best ways to keep your bait fresh. If you have any other tips or methods that you use then please share them in the comments below. Thanks for reading the MikeD Fishing Blog!