View Full Version : Gal. H2O / Minnow Doz. ratio, whats your mix??
I'm setting up a new cooler for transporting and keeping minnows at spring and summer tourneys. With pre-fish time in mind I will be keeping minnows up to 5-7 days at a time. It seems we typically take 6-14 doz depending on how much pre-fishing will take place and what body of water. How much water do you bait fishermen allow per doz. minnows? Bait is usually Shiners(if possible) or Fatheads. I've had OK to not so OK results the past couple of seasons and wonder if maybe I'm crowding them. I will be setting the cooler up with a Power Bubbles 12V pump and a couple of rings(rather than the stones it comes with). I have this system in my livewells wired into my recirc. switches and it seems to work well. I need to keep the cooler to a size that two people can handle when full of water as it will probably ride in the back of the pickup or boat while traveling to fishing locations then stay at the camper during trip and we'll dip out of it on a daily basis. Thanks for the help, RJ in Montana...
perchjerker
03-23-2004, 08:11 AM
Since you arent getting much help, I will tell you something I have been thinking about.
Minnows keep a lot longer when the water is real cold, since it slows down thier metabolisim. I thought it would be great to get one of those coolers that have a refrigerator built into them to keep the ater as cold as possible.
If you can get a big one like that, it might help.
Just a thought.
Hey PJ, thanks for the thought. It would be a good idea. I think most of those run on 110V however and unfortunately out here in the wild west our State Parks and Fish & Game aren't as fond of up to date and comfortable camp grounds as in other states. Several of our state tourneys are held out of areas where the campgrounds are dry camp only with community H2O faucets and no site plug ins. Generators are worth their weight in gold. I wonder how long it would take to cool down one of those coolers and how long they will retain the cool temp?? I've never used one, if you have one or have been around them how do they work. Thanks for the help>>RJ in Montana..
perchjerker
03-23-2004, 08:38 AM
I wish I knew more about them, but I dont.
I thought some ran on 12volts. Or maybe you could get an inverter and run a 110V off a battery. I guess you would have to check into that more thorughly.
I have always wanted one, it seems lately they have really come down in price.
kinda catchy
03-23-2004, 01:32 PM
Hey, P.J. I have one of those cooler heater combo's that were a promotional prize with Marlboro. This one runs off 12 volt, plugs into a lighter socket. I think my friend had to smoke like a pickup worth of cig's to get it. Anyway, I have it, it has never been used.
Interested? Want to do some trading? Let me know. Thanks Kelly.
perchjerker
03-23-2004, 01:41 PM
Yes, I would be interested.
I will email you.
thanks Kelly
MT. Minnerman
03-23-2004, 05:25 PM
100 qt cooler. iceblocks made from well water. 12 volt aerator. keep out of sun and covered with blanket. put in 20-30 dozen fatheads. should last.
Chuckles
03-23-2004, 09:14 PM
Colder water also holds more dissolved oxygen so it is always good to keep them as cool as possible... Chuckles
FlyBoy
03-23-2004, 10:08 PM
That cooler would be over 200 lbs, maybe you could fill it the rest of the way when you get there.
-John
fishhunter
03-24-2004, 06:37 AM
Since you will be pre-fishing and most likely not keeping any fish I would fill both your livewells and split them up between the 2 and leave the recirculating pump on all night. Just run in fresh water every day when your fishing. I do this most of the summer and have kept minnows alive for over a week at home between trips in the heat of summer. If just overnight or even a couple days I dont put the charger on but if for longer period I just have the charger on it.