Keeping fish on ice or in water ?

[kyron4]

Hello, I fish from a small 10' aluminum jon boat and move around alot. I was useing a large flaoting wire basket to keep my catch in, but pulling them in and out was rough on the fish and a hassle. Also in warmer water they would be floating within 20 mins. So I'm thinking a smaller 34 qt. cooler (space is limited) to keep in the boat. Do I fill it with lake water and airate it or fill half full of crushed ice or just 1/2 full of ice water? Which is the best to keep fish fresh ? I'm leaning towards ice as a cooler 3/4 full of water adds weight to the boat and sloshes arounds while motoring. Any advice ? -Thanks

[olduckhunter]

just the cooler with a bag of ice. no water.

[satdoc1]

+1, unless you just have to keep them alive this is the way to go.

[MePreach]

what they said!

[skeetbum]

Yo. Me three.

[rnvinc]

I have a self-imposed rule in my boat....I will release my day's catch if I do not catch at least 4 fish...

Therefore, I like to keep my fish alive....

I use a 104 qt cooler that's rigged up with lakewater input from an automated livewell timer, and an overflow pump to remove the excess water as the cooler fills from the input pump...

[rescue.tech]

just the cooler with a bag of ice. no water.

Ditto.

[Lowellhturner]

same as rnvinc, if don`t get at least 4 keepers it`s their lucky day, so try to keep them alive; and that don`t apply if the "tooth fairy" stops by for a snack....

[jayhawkcrappie]

I've never caught less than 4.....so why use a livewell....just kiddn! I prefer puttin them on ice though....fillets seem firmer to me.

[talltimber]

Same here, on a bag of ice in the summer. Water only when it's cool weather, or none at all if it's cold.