Tuesday Night Tournament Creel Limit

[docirv]

Uh, just an idea, how about a compromise and a 2 fish limit on those hot water days. That way you still have a chance to win the lunker pot if you do not win the tourney.... On the other hand you can rund the TNT's in October and November and have no hot water problem.... ;)

[bassboogieman]

I'm amost done arguing - almost.  I agree high temps have a detrimental effect on bass in a livewell.  More true on a full day tournament than 4 hours.  Most bass will be in the well less than 4, I haven't heard of too many limits caught in the first half-hour, most guys haven't reached their spots by then.  But constantly pumping 85 degree (or higher) lake water through the well as you suggested, is in my opinion, more harmfull that recirculating the water already in the well, along with Please Release Me or similiar chemical aid, or oxygenators, with some frozen water bottles (frozen tap water has chlorine in it and is harmful to captive fish).  Keeping the well temps within 5 - 7 degrees of lake water won't shock them when you drop them in the well.  Keeping 3 bass in a livewell with minimal effort for 3 or so hours shouldn't be that difficult.  In the high temp conditions with short holding time, I think recirculation (with additives) is a better method than running new water in continuously.   Keeping them in a cooler or other makeshift holding tank may be another story, but those individuals may have to take additional precautions - and that should be on them, not the other tournament participants.  That's the issue I have, that you are ONCE AGAIN, putting restrictions on the majority to help out the miniority.  The TNT's sould have a basic format and those that particiapate do the best they can.  To use an extreme example:  J/J, in that pretty Bass Cat should not be limited so Doc can fish from his Kayak.  And basically - that is what you're doing.

[bfitch]

well, if it makes a difference, we did have our first dead fish this past week with near 85 degree water.

[Eli]

That's the issue I have, that you are ONCE AGAIN, putting restrictions on the majority to help out the miniority.  The TNT's sould have a basic format and those that particiapate do the best they can.  To use an extreme example:  J/J, in that pretty Bass Cat should not be limited so Doc can fish from his Kayak.  And basically - that is what you're doing.

BB, I think you are missing one point.  This is about helping fish, not fishermen.

[Pillager]

Yeah, and your pickin' on Doc again.   ;D


Oh by the way, I'm reading a magazine I picked up on Ontario fishing.  "Adding such chemicals only serves to stress the fish further, says Queen's University fish physiologist Bruce Tufts."

Keep live wells running constantly as nothings benefits a fish more than a fresh supply of well-oxygenated water.

[Eli]

I use my oxygenator on Fresh Water.  I had heard that it was bad to use in brackish or salt so I don't.  Have never been able to find verification of this.  Anyone know?

[Pillager]

I talked to the company.  They have a special formula of additive (see previous post) for salt water.

I think they also have a new version of the unit out or coming out soon that will make adjustments based on water chemistry etc.

[bassboogieman]

"QUEENS UNIVERSITY"?  :o  You owe me a keyboard Dave.

Canadians don't know anything about anything.  Ever eat their "bacon"?

Again it depends upon conditions.  You've got a one line "quote".  Both B.A.S.S. & FLW (I believe) support addititives to help reduce stress on fish.  It is proven salt (which is a part of some of the additives) helps reduce stress in fish.  Oxygenators also improve the oxygen content (very helpful to fish in a closed system) without chemicals.  Each solution - warm conditions, maintaining a "closed" system may be more benificial.  Cooler conditions - constant water changes could be more benificial.  I will add - running the pumps constantly COULD result in adding contanimants to the live well, like forgetting to shut them off in a marina area may introduce petroleum products into the wells.  Or, in summer it may flush the livewells with low oxygen content water, further stressing your captive bass.  There isn't a one solution fits all contitions resolution to the issue.
For every "scientific" study that says additives are bad, there is another one that says they are helpful.  It depends upon the agenda you are trying to promote.  As someone who has maintained several closed systems (aquariums) at home - chemicals ARE good.
But they are not the answer to all problems associated with them.  Good filtration, water changes and airation are also critical to maintaning them.  Same applies to livewells.  

[fishinjim]

Don't want to turn the oxygenators on if there is a chance of salt being in the water.

Even though my current ride doesn't have the oxygenators, I still use the formula they make...
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Oxygenator_U2_Pro_Formula/descpage-OMUPF.html

[bassboogieman]

Eli, I have first hand knowledge that Oxygenators (electric) are not to be used in brackish water,  They do react with the salt and create chlorine which will kill fish.  Happened to me during one CCBM tx., I think it may have been Gunpowder a few years ago.  Should you fish brackish water it would be best to rinse your livewell (unchlorinated water IS best) prior to using the Oxygenators, should there be any salt residue remaining in the livewells.  As mentioned there is an additive that can be used with them that contains NO salt. Most of the commercial additives available have some salt in them, so do not use them in conjunction with the electric Oxygenators.  I use the Oxygenators in fresh water (brackish, I make sure they are off and use one of the commercial additives) and do not use any additives, and have not had any problems.  You should do occasional water changes when using the Oxygenators, as they do not do anything to dilute the ammonia contained in fish waste that will also do in the captive bass if you do not change about 25% of the water every 2 - 3 hours depending upon the number of bass in the well.  More (or bigger) bass = more frequent water changes.

And while I am talking to you, Eli - I understand what your intentions are.  I have NO problem with your motives, only your methods.  I'm only expressing my opinion, one others have seemed to agree with, at least somewhat.  I don't believe for a minute anything I say here will change how CCBM runs it's TNT's.  They are your gig, so do as you will, and those that wish to fish them will - or won't, as the case may be.  It's all about choice.  I don't think this is a good method to fullfill your motivation, but it's only my personal opinion.

[docirv]

My kayak has a live well..... it's called a a stringer and hangs off the side in the lake....water is always fresh and never needs to be changed....except when I pee in it..... :-\

[bassboogieman]

Where the heck is Rip-n-lips when ya need the voice of reason? ???

[map284]

Boogieman makes a good point of fish not being in a live well for the whole 4 hours or even 3 hours and based on the amount of fish caught in all tnt's and only one fish dead would prove that people can keep fish alive for that short period of time. 

[Rippin_Lips]

I never had a dead fish....... I believe if you add fresh water every 5 mins at least. the fish will be fine. especially a 4 hour evening tourny. livewells dont kill fish, people operating them do. there is no difference between the water in the lake and the water in the well if refreshed every 5 mins. there ya go brucey!

[Eli]

Sounds like you guys are following recommendations of the Obama Administation, needing to mico-manage this issue because you believe that individuals are incapable of doing so themselves.  

Oh yeah, and Bruce not all decisions are Democrat vs Republican.  It is true that the government is out to get you but...