John in MN
03-19-2001, 10:10 AM
For people fishing pool 4, how do you clean you boat afterwards to prevent the spread of zebra mussels?
TBO/MN
03-19-2001, 12:56 PM
The live wells and bait wells are the only things you really need to clean out. I flush them with tap water when I get home, and pour in a little ammonia and slosh it around with a rag, then flush again. I was told by the MNDNR that ammonia will kill the very small ones, and the larger ones shouldn't get into your livewell system.
Good Fishin'
TBO/MN
Nofish
03-19-2001, 08:06 PM
Hey Gang,
If a guy gets water in the bilge it is also possible to spread the little buggers from that water coming in contact with water at the next lake or river.
If any boat takes on water from a leaky hose or rivet or even from spray and splashed water, the little beasties can live for some time in a very small amount of water in the bottom of a boat.
Should this happen at the next lake, and you drain your boat at the ramp and it runs back into that lake....
It is a good idea to drain the boat at the ramp, and leave the plug out. When you return home, put the plug back in the drain.
I use tap water and a small amount of Chlorox and pour the solution into the bilge, either through a floor drain or a cooler drain. I prefer the cooler as you wont possibly bleach out the carpet over time if you spill.
I was told to use Chlorox as it will break down and will no longer be bleach after a short while, basically Bio degradeable, especially in small amounts. We are not talking 2 to 1 ratio either, but more like two or three capfulls in a 5 gallon pail, very mild. This will also not allow the bleach to attack any hoses, seals and things in the boat.
I also use this solutioin of bleach water before cleaning my live well with dawn dish soap, after a trip to Zebra infested waters. Have done so on last 4 boats with no harmful effects to any of them.
Dawn dish soap wont harm grass or plants at all, but is very good at cleaning up a messy live well. I even saw someone on the gardening channel spray a solutuion of dawn dish soap and water on their lawn before fertilizing. I didn't catch why, but I figure a solution of dish soap, water and fish goop out of a live well will be a down home treat to the lawn!
Have fun....R