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How do you keep your bait shrimp alive?

9.4K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  challenger  
#1 ·
I caught some shrimp a few weeks ago when I was at River Run and by the time I got to the pier about half were dead. If you are not familiar with River Run it is a community near Sunset Harbour. I catch shrimp at the boat ramp and then go to the other pier to fish which is maybe 3 to 5 mins away at the most. I have a flo troll bucket but I dont really like it because the door is small and spring loaded. I was looking for a bucket that I can just drop down into the water like the flow troll but cant find one. I guess I can make one but looking for oher ideas
 
#2 ·
dont put too many in and keep alot of air flow in it ;) i used a 5 gallon bucket with lots of holes drille in it and pulled it next to the boat but dont do as i did leave 6 to 8 inches on the bottom without holes so you can bring it on board ;)
 
#3 ·
Live well pumping fresh water on a boat will keep them alive indefinite. A five gallon bucket with lid, and a $10-11 dollar Baker, or Bubble Box while mobile. I keep 5-6 dozen alive on pier trips. That bucket hole deal gets in the way while flounder and trout, etc fishing from the pier. Five gallon bucket with lid $5, aerator $10. You're done.
 
#4 ·
OK I think for one I didnt have enough water in the bucket and once I got to the pier I didnt have a way to put more water in. As far as the bucket in the water goes it won't be in the way this pier is on the Lockwood Folly RIver and their is never anyone out there. But if I use the bucket in the water I will need my bait bucket plus a bucket to transport them in. I think Ill just get an aerator
 
#7 ·
I went to walmart in shallotte over the weekend. I found the whole bubble box with bucket deal for like $35. I kept looking around and found that they had the bucket lid and bubble box for $15. I bought the lid and bubble box and went to Home Depot across the street and got a bucket for $2.50
 
#9 ·
Use the five gallon bucket for everything. Drill holes in the side of the bucket about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up. That way it will hold 3-4 gallons of water while you are transporting it. Most coastal piers and bait shops have a "bait lid" to fit the five gallon bucket. I beieve it is blue in color. You can also make your own bait lid using the existing lid of the bucket. Use the aerator when transporting and then remove the aerator and drop into the water once at your fishing location.
 
#10 ·
next time you are in Home Depot ask for me.... James. I love to talk about fishing while I get paid. Just kidding !!!! geez. But certainly introduce yourself. I am there nearly 50 hours a week.... and 20 hours fishing
 
#11 ·
You can take a 5 gallon bucket and leave it as is...then a smaller bucket and put holes in it. That way when
you get to your fishing destination....pull the smaller bucket out with the bait and lower it in the water. The big bucket
will only be need to take the bait back home..You can add all the water needed and change water as needed..:)
 
#13 ·
If I caught 5 dozen medium shrimp and put them in a 5 gallon bucket with an aerator that says good for 30 gallons will they be alive in the am? I have 4 gallons of water in the bucket and added some material for them to cling to because I heard they wear themselves out swimming full time?

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#16 ·
I ended up replacing the water and adding more in a cooler. now they have 8 gallons and seem fine. The shrimp are getting bigger but are not quite the eating size average. About a dozen are about 4" head to tail and the rest are smaller. I'll cull out the smallest ones so my flow troll bucket doesn't get overloaded and try some on a popping cork weather permitting tomorrow AM. I'm hoping to fish the last 3 hours of the incoming and the first hour of outgoing which has been the most productive tide for the drum. There is so much bait for them to eat and I heard a couple of other locals belly aching about this while I was collecting the shrimp.
We'll see if live shrimp can coax some action.
Thanks