KEEPING BASS HEALTHY IN YOUR LIVEWELL
GUIDELINES FOR BLACK BASS ANGLERS:

Proper livewell care of your tournament fish will help you bring healthier fish to the weigh-in and help protect our fisheries for future generations.

1. FILL YOUR LIVE WELL EARLY IN THE DAY!

• Fill live well at first fishing spot from open areas with good water quality.

2. TURN ON THE RECIRCULATING AERATOR IMMEDIATELY!

• Run continuously all day or if aerator must run on a timer, run as often as possible.
• If boat does not have a recirculating aeration system, add one! This is a must to provide proper aeration while the boat is moving or on the trailer.

3. LAND FISH QUICKLY, AVOIDING DAMAGE TO SLIME COATING!

• Grasp fish by lower jaw only, holding them vertically. Support large fish with a wet hand under the belly.
• Use soft, knotless nylon or rubber landing nets.
• Do not allow fish to touch boat carpet and rub off protective slime.
• Remove hooks quickly with as little tissue damage as possible. Remove deep hooks carefully. When attempts fail, cut line five or six inches above the hook. This will allow fish to feed effectively once released.
• Don't keep fish out of water longer than you can hold your breath.

4. KEEP FISH IN REAR LIVE WELLS IF VOLUME IS SUFFICIENT!

• Fish in forward live wells are more likely to be injured from bouncing during rough water travel. Distribute fish evenly between rear live well compartments.

5. WHEN WATER TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 75 DEGREES

• Pump fresh water as often as possible and recirculate live well water continuously.

6. WHEN WATER TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 75 DEGREES

• Recirculate live well water continuously. Do not pump in warm lake water !!
• Ice cools the water and slows the fish's metabolism. One 8-pound block of non-chlorinated ice cools water in a 30-gallon live well about 10 degrees for three hours. Adjust the amount of non-chlorinated ice according to live well size. Block non-chlorinated ice melts slower and can be stored for later use. Monitor live well water temperatures.
• Non-iodized salt (available from farm feed stores) helps maintain electrolyte balance and reduces the effects of stress. Add 1/3 cup per five gallons. Pre-measure salt into zip-lock bags. Also add Catch & Release® as directed.
• Drain half of the live well water every three hours. Refill with fresh water to remove toxic waste products (CO2 and ammonia). Add 1/2 the amount of ice, salt and Catch & Release® each time.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Oxygen from pressurized cylinder can be delivered directly into live well through air-stone or hose. Oxygen delivered in this manner is better than simple aeration because air is only 21% oxygen. Consider using an oxygen system.
• You must have a regulator or pressure valve and pressurized tank must be securely mounted.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !