FS Digest

Hello all!

I've recently taken interest in using live baits such as shrimp for saltwater fishing. I've done a bit of research on google and forms and it seems that the best way to keep shrimp alive is by using a 5 gallon bucket with an aerator to keep the water oxygenated, and by keeping the water cool and fresh. However, I am quite confused on obtaining the water for the shrimp. Typically, if you buy live shrimp from a bait shop do they provide you the initial water to keep them alive until you arrive at your fishing location, or will you need to prefill your bait bucket? If you need to prefill the bucket what water would you use? Thanks!

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by SportsballPlayer

FS Digest

They'll give you some water when you buy the shrimp. Good to have an aerator though because they usually won't give you a ton of water and the dissolved oxygen that is in the water gets used up fast. The reason they recommend using cooler water is because it shows the shrimp's metabolism down meaning they use less oxygen and release more waste. Also cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen.

As soon as I get to where I'm fishing I usually dump as much of the water as possible I got from the store on the ground. I don't want to dump it in the water because that water is nasty and may have pathogens, but that's my personal preference. I'm aware that the shrimp I'm using for bait and putting into the water were in that nasty water. After replacing the water I sometimes chuck a small frozen Gatorade bottle (8 oz variety) filled with water into the bucket to it cool. You can buy or make your own insulated bucket too to keep the heat out/cold in. Can even just use a cheap cooler to hold your bait.

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by FLAquaGuy

FS Digest

Thanks for the insight! You are replacing the bait shop water with the water where you are fishing, correct?

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by SportsballPlayer

FS Digest

That's correct. You can get fancy and acclimate the shrimp to that new water over time if it's significantly different (temperate or salinity) but I've never had a problem just swapping the water out.

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by FLAquaGuy

FS Digest

Awesome, thanks again!

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by SportsballPlayer

FS Digest

I would really recommend getting the bait bucket that’s insulated with styrofoam. It helps keep the shrimp cool so they don’t die so fast. I’ve actually got done fishing , left the shrimp in my garage, and they survived two days. Also the frozen water bottle or Gatorade helps a lot ! Good luck and tight lines!

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by Chance_Flaccid_Faper

FS Digest

Appreciate the input, tight lines as well!

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by SportsballPlayer

FS Digest

My comment was about Gizzard Shad. Get bait and hell to keep alive! Change in pH will kill them in just a few minutes!

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by lebusandlibus

FS Digest

Hopefully you go to a place with similar pH + a bit of ice stress coat, blue rock salt and keep out of the sun!

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by lebusandlibus

FS Digest

Never in a square edged container they will beat themselves to death in the corners. I learned these tricks in the mid70s and was famous for being the guy with live gizzard shad! With shad catch them fisrt put them in a bait container and before you leave wash off the slime and fill container again.

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by lebusandlibus

DennyA

Go to where you will be fishing and fill your 5 gal. bucket 1/2 full before you buy your shrimp (assuming you will be fishing in saltwater). It also helps to put a few ice cubes in as colder water holds more oxygen.