need minnow help

[jhill10]

how long will minnows last in the bags of oxygen. when you buy them by the pound from the bait store?

[jigflinger]

2 or 3 pounds should keep for at least 18 hours. Minnow farmers here in Arkansas air freight minnows all over the country and put 5 pounds to the bag. That is if the bag is pumped up tight.

[jhill10]

say i buy 2 or 3 lbs in individual bags. 1lb a piece. and throw them n a cooler (still n the bag) would they last 2 or 3 days ya think? ima call the bait shop where i get them n c what they think

[jhill10]

anybody else have any input on this?

[jigflinger]

3 days is stretching it a little. After 2 days the amonia build up may get em.

[cricket george]

You are stretching your luck on 3 days. i agree with jigflinger. Personally, I would not go over a day with the minnows on ice.

[jhill10]

should i transfer them to a cooler after a day? with aerators?

[jigflinger]

Yes! And change the water every day or two. As the minnows clean themselves out, they create amonio. When you change the water, put about a quarter cup of MIXING SALT in the water. DO NOT use regular iodized table salt as the iodide will kill the minnows. You can get the mixing salt at most grocery stores in the home canning section. Salt does several things for the minnows. 1. It relieves stress. 2. Promotes slime regeneration. 3. Cleans them out. The amount of water you use determines the amount of salt. When I hauled minnows all over the country, I used 2 cups in 90 gallons of water. Good luck and good fishing.

[belowparr]

How much mixing salt should I put in a your average size minnow bucket?

[gabowman]

My baitman said they'd keep 8 hrs without any problems. By tht time I'd have them on some well water or lake water in styrofoam coolers with a bubbler running.