Help with keeping anchovies alive??

fuelman · Jul 7, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

Jeffcb · Jul 7, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Jeffcb · Jul 7, 2021

Pitch em in the live well and turn the water pump on...

Staghorn · Jul 7, 2021

thatmanMIKEson said:
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

Staghorn · Jul 7, 2021

? Sorry about that ^

Staghorn · Jul 7, 2021

Some baits will not stay alive in they live well long term. The best thing you can do if you want to keep them alive at the boat for longer periods of time is to get a bait pen. If you’re going to keep them more than a couple days you should chop up some fish or squid and feed them a couple times a day because they will need it. You’d be surprised how fast they learn to eat what you’re feeding them. I’ve kept goggle eye in one of these pens for several weeks just feeding them daily. During time when there’s allot of tournaments around palm beach these fish go for $80-$120 a dozen so you want to make sure they stay alive.

|Frank| · Jul 7, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

G Santana · Jul 7, 2021

Welcome to R2R

Salty Rambler · Jul 7, 2021

Welcome to R2R! Some great advice above.

PTXReef · Jul 8, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

And great info from @P-Dub and @vetteguy53081!

P-Dub said:
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 said:
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.