One of the best baits for fishing is live minnow. This is because the movement of minnow fish can attract the attention of other fish. However, sometimes it is quite difficult to use minnow fish as bait. You need to know how to keep these fish alive and use them as bait. Before you start fishing, prepare the equipment and supplies needed to keep the minnow alive when used as bait.
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Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Get Minnow
Step 1. Determine the right time to buy minnow fish
Minnow fish life span is not too long, especially if the fish live in a place that is not optimal. Therefore, you should buy minnow fish at a time that is close to your fishing schedule.
- However, this may be a problem if you have to fish in the morning. Most bait shops are still closed in the morning making it difficult for you to buy bait the same day.
- Bait fish stored in poor conditions, for example in overcrowded areas, will die within one day. In order for bait fish to live longer, you need to take good care of them.
- Minnow fish life span is quite varied, depending on the type and place of residence. Bighead minnows (Fathead) and blunt-nosed minnows (Bluntnose) can live for several years if they live in their natural habitat, for example in lakes. There are also minnows that can live for seven to ten years. However, when used as bait, minnow fish is certainly stored in less than ideal conditions. Therefore, minnow fish may die faster.
Step 2. Buy a container to hold the minnow fish
Most people store minnows in refrigerated camping containers, or other disposable sealed containers. However, you can also use a container specifically designed to hold minnows.
- Foam-lined coolers are commonly sold at most convenience stores. Special containers for holding minnows are usually sold at sporting goods stores or fishing tackle shops.
- Containers for holding minnows usually have some special features. Generally, these containers can float on water and have an aerator.
Step 3. Prepare a container to hold the minnow fish
Fill the container with distilled water or water from a river/lake before buying minnow fish. The water temperature must be cold because these fish generally have to live in water with a fairly low temperature.
- Chemicals in tap water can kill minnows. Therefore, do not place fish in tap water.
- The container used must maintain a stable water temperature. This can help minnow fish live longer.
Part 2 of 4: Helping Minnows Adapt to the Bait
Step 1. Add the water from the container into the plastic bag containing the minnows
Pour a small amount of lake, river, or distilled water into a plastic bag containing minnow. By doing this, the fish can adapt to the water. In addition, fish can also adapt to water temperature gradually.
Step 2. Place the plastic bag containing the minnow into the bait container
Do not immediately put the minnow into the container. It's best to set aside some time to allow the fish to adapt to the temperature of the water in the container.
Make sure the plastic bag remains closed and place it in the container for about 15 minutes
Step 3. Place the minnow into the bait container
After 15 minutes, let the minnows out of the plastic bag and swim in the water in the bait container. If the fish are used to the temperature of the water in the container, the fish will adapt more quickly to their new environment.
Part 3 of 4: Keeping Minnows Alive
Step 1. Do not place too many minnows in the bait container
Fish will die faster if they live in a container that is too crowded and full. If there are too many fish living in the container, the temperature of the water will increase while the oxygen will decrease.
For example, place 6 dozen minnows (2-2.5 cm long) in an 8 liter container
Step 2. Store the container in a dark and cool place
For example, store bait containers in a cupboard or garage. Minnow fish are fragile animals and can thrive when they live in cold waters. The water in the container will get too high if it is stored in a bright and hot place.
Step 3. Place the aerator
The aerator will produce oxygen in the water so that the minnows don't run out of breath. This is important if you want to keep the minnow alive for 1-2 days. Use an aerator if you don't want to change the feed tank water too often.
- Most minnow sellers use an aeration system that produces oxygen in two ways: agitation and compression.
- Aerators can help increase the life span of minnow fish. This is because other methods of aeration, such as adding more water or hydrogen peroxide to the container, can stress the fish. When using an aerator, the minnow fish can live quietly in the water it is familiar with.
Step 4. Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into the feed container if it doesn't have an aerator
Just add 30 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every 11 liters of water. Hydrogen peroxide can help the process of forming oxygen in the water so that fish will not run out of oxygen.
- You can also add more distilled water to refresh the water in the container.
- Using hydrogen peroxide is quite controversial for some people. Some people believe that hydrogen peroxide can help form oxygen in the water and won't hurt the fish that live in it. However, some people also believe that hydrogen peroxide can kill fish. If you don't want to add hydrogen peroxide to the feed container, look for alternatives, such as using an aerator or draining the container more often.
Step 5. Make sure the water temperature stays cool
Place a jar of ice in the feed container water to keep it cool. Repeat this step as often as possible to keep the water cold.
- While minnows can survive in warm water, they will die more quickly if they live in water above 15.5 °C. Try to keep the water temperature of the container below 15.5 °C.
- Do not add ice cubes to the water directly. Ice may contain chemicals or chlorine that can kill fish.
Part 4 of 4: Keeping Minnows Alive While Fishing
Step 1. Immerse the bait container into the water of the lake or river where you are fishing
You can place bait containers on the banks of rivers or lakes. The container will sink, but the water in it will not mix with the water of a river or lake. You can also use bait containers that let river or lake water flow in and out without letting the fish escape. This can help the fish adapt to the water temperature of the lake or river you are fishing in.
Immersing the bait container into river or lake water to replace the water will replenish the oxygen in the container. This can certainly keep the minnow fish alive
Step 2. Hook the minnow on the hook
Select the minnow fish that will be used as bait and then determine how to hook it. There are several ways to hook a minnow fish well. Choose a method that can keep the bait alive. Also, think about how the bait will move in the water.
- By mouth: Insert the hook through the lower lip until it penetrates the fish's nostril,
- Through the back of the fish: Hooking the hook through the back will put the fish in a more natural position when in the water. This may be an effective method when fishing.
Step 3. Get ready to replace the minnow fish
Once the minnow is hooked on the hook, the fish will die quickly. If the fish stop moving while in the water, it is not an effective bait. Therefore, immediately replace the dead minnow on your hook with a new one.
