Help with keeping anchovies alive??

[ScaperDave]

Hi Folks, I just ran into a guy who was delivering bait at one of the local fishing places and he recommended to me this form.

he said everybody here knows what they’re talking about unlike lots of other places I’ve tried to get information from.

I need help on every trick there is to keeping anchovies alive on my boat not only during fishing but also while storing them for a couple days.

 

[dwair]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, hope someone else can help you, not sure about that.

 

[Ro Bow]

bump

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hi Folks, I just ran into a guy who was delivering bait at one of the local fishing places and he recommended to me this form.

he said everybody here knows what they’re talking about unlike lots of other places I’ve tried to get information from.

I need help on every trick there is to keeping anchovies alive on my boat not only during fishing but also while storing them for a couple days.

Welcome!

Glad you joined. Need more details about what you have already on your boat for anchovies. Suspect its oxygen or water flow based on my own fishing experiences, but probably you have something fancier than my tubs when out on boat.

 

[PeterC99]

Welcome to R2R!

What an interesting question - keeping anchovies alive during fishing trips! No idea of the answer.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R. No idea myself. Hope someone can help you.

 

[Waynerock]

Best way to keep them alive is to not put them on pizza

 

[tehmadreefer]

Get a live well on your boat

 

[P-Dub]

Welcome to R2R!!
We were able to successfully keep anchovies alive in a rather large baitwell for up to a week on my friend's live-aboard. The key is water movement and a very large baitwell. The tank must be large enough for adequate swimming of the fish. The size will depend on the number of fish you have. The smaller the baitwell the fewer the fish. They are rather delicate. The shape of the baitwell plays an important factor, also. Cylindrical is really the only option for longer-term viability. The flow from the feed pump must be redirected to flow with the shape of the cylindrical baitwell and not too strong so they have to struggle. These fish swim constantly at a nice slow even pace so, a constant, gentle, circular flow is needed. Finally, feeding is essential. These fish swim constantly because they are feeding constantly. Live brine, flake, very small pellets, it didn't seem to matter. Siphon or drain out any uneaten food that makes it to the bottom immediately, They feed in the water column only. Finally, remove the fish that perish immediately. This was easily accomplished as he lived on his vessel. They require regular care, with multiple, small feedings per day. At least this worked for us. A caveat, (Thanks @vetteguy53081 ), the water flow supplied was a constant feed from the ocean.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi Folks, I just ran into a guy who was delivering bait at one of the local fishing places and he recommended to me this form.

he said everybody here knows what they’re talking about unlike lots of other places I’ve tried to get information from.

I need help on every trick there is to keeping anchovies alive on my boat not only during fishing but also while storing them for a couple days.

It's important to understand that a live bait tank differs from a closed live well system often found in boats and requires a continuous flow of water from ocean or lake where you are fishing and needs to have the ability to recirculate that particular water.
You literally need to keep these anchovies in buckets moving between water and an aerated cooler or they won't last very long. It will need to work effectively for short time periods as long as their isn't too much bait in there. Live anchovies are about the most fragile bait around, they get frantic and beat the crap out of themselves at the slightest change in their environment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[thatone08]

Welcome!

 

[stewie]

Welcome

 

[NashobaTek]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome, best of luck!

 

[Ro Bow]

I'd care for the anchovies like any ordinary fish, make sure they are healthy, feed them what they should be fed, etc, and then when you need, take them out and kill them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'd care for the anchovies like any ordinary fish, make sure they are healthy, feed them what they should be fed, etc, and then when you need, take them out and kill them.

These require totally different care as described above and they require recirculating water from the same source in which they swim. Closed loop will kill them quickly

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

How are you catching these anchovies allot of thread fins I use die from being netted and handled. If you pick the best and leave the live well lightly loaded just like a fish tank, and not your typical "live well" along with the suggestions above I see no reason a healthy number to live well size ratio shouldn't survive.
There was some good advice above but I think it may come down to set up and collection

 

[BanjoBandito]

+1 on cylindrical tank + high flow, makes sense