Quick Question about Collecting and taking fish home

[Rays of Sunshine]

It appears that I am the only that seems to lose fish after transport. I catch the fish with hook, then put the fish in a wire basket and toss it in the water until I leave.

Then I collect some water from the lake and put them in a bucket. I have recently changed to a cooler. The oxygen is then turned on, I add some salt now. The bass, large warmouth and a bluegill didn't survive for 2 days.

Should I skip the wire basket and just put the fish in the cooler? Any suggestions?

 

[fisher12889]

I think it could be something with the way you handle the fish when you catch them. A lot of released fish have a delayed mortality because of poor handling (they swim off looking fine, but end up dying within a few days.) Take some pliers and pinch down your barbs, wet your hands before touching the fish, don't hold the fish out of water for more than 30 seconds, don't squeeze the fish or let it flop around on the ground.

It could also be a problem with your water parameters...check your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

 

[Rays of Sunshine]

The fish are not squeezed, the hooks I use are next to the smallest. Matter of fact all of the fish fell off the hook on land from the last batch. I just don't like loosing the fish.

I stopped using a regular sized hook because most of the fish would be hooked in the eyes, gill plate or head. Thanks for the info.

 

[kevinfleming21]

I would skip on the salt, just MO

 

[Mr.Catfish]

I put my fish in a 5 gallon bucket filled with water from the lake,river,creek. I also have an aerator in the bucket. On really hot days I add a 20 oz bottle of frozen water.

 

[tankboi]

Ditto...

 

[Rays of Sunshine]

Thanks for the info, I think I will skip the wire basket. I will try straight to the cooler and frozen water bottle.

 

[fatherof5]

Are you eccumilating the fish when you place them into the water of your tank.

 

[Gearhead]

Are you eccumilating the fish when you place them into the water of your tank.

I think he meant acclimating.

 

[zipybublelipz]

Yeah.... You should acclimate your fish properly........ get them used to the temperature change and water chemistry. I know somebody that lost an octopus due to neglecting the acclimation step.......