that is always a big concern in heat
keeping them alive, sorry you had a bum deal, we were lucky to have recirculating livewell with a little ice and blue juice and ours stayed alive and jumping....... just a little tip to those that might not know it, but if you have a nice crappie and he has swallowed the bait and hook, just cut the line and leave in him he will stay alive and then we tell them at the scales what we have done, never had a problem even with the masters, in fact we cut the line on two of our better fish.........
A FISH IN THE PAN IS WORTH TWO IN THE LAKE