Posted 7/22/2014 12:18 PM (#721821) Subject: Big livewells
Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Why? I don't get the point of a 50-60 inch livewell. Personally I'd rather have normal dry storage instead of plugging it and hoping it doesn't leak. What am I missing?
Posted 7/22/2014 1:10 PM (#721832 - in reply to #721821) Subject: Re: Big livewells
Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI
From a musky standpoint, there used to be a few transport tournaments and I suppose that had something to do with it. Also in case of a stressed fish you can safely put them in the livewell and run fresh oxygenated water over them until they are ready to release. - That is if the fish is of legal size of course.
Posted 7/22/2014 4:57 PM (#721871 - in reply to #721821) Subject: Re: Big livewells
Posts: 489
most fish caught trolling on st clair are placed in a livewell to ensure a safe release. With the boat trolling at 5mph and not stopping for a hooked fish it becomes hard to revive them. So they are placed in the livewell for 15mins or so until they can right themselves and then released. It also works great on other lakes during wamr days and when water oxygen levels may be low.
Posted 7/22/2014 5:12 PM (#721874 - in reply to #721871) Subject: Re: Big livewells
Posts: 431
I guess what I don't understand is the boat with 50"+ livewell and the 30" door centered over the livewell. Do you fold the fish to get it in the livewell?
Posted 7/22/2014 6:10 PM (#721886 - in reply to #721821) Subject: Re: Big livewells
Posts: 489
Idk obviously big opening is ideal. It would be nice for them to make it an option to just be storage, seems easy enough. The musky market is just so small compared to walleye who want the livewell
Posted 7/23/2014 9:13 AM (#721960 - in reply to #721821) Subject: Re: Big livewells
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
I think the main reason is most boats aren't designed strictly for muskies. I'd guess 95% of multispecies boats are sold primarily to walleye fishermen, where a big livewell would be nice for keeping them alive for tournaments or till they get home. I have an Alumacraft Navigator. The opening is good sized I guess but not full size. I put a 44" musky in it once to try to revive it, and didn't seem to have any problem getting it in or out. It is possible to go head or tail first at an angle...
I'd guess part of the smaller opening might be to lessen the chance of water sloshing out?
Big livewells