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Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Dave8121

Posted 10/6/2013 7:37 AM (#667032)
Subject: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 122

I am wondering how long people keep suckers alive before using them to fish, and what you do to keep them alive. Thanks

Esox Fisherman

Posted 10/6/2013 8:01 AM (#667035 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: RE: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

We keep ours in a "Pet Taxi"(it is for transporting cats to the vet, kind of like a small dog kennel) and keep them in the lake. It works great and I have kept suckers alive for well over a week in there. Been doing this for over 20 years.

Corso Mike

Posted 10/6/2013 9:03 AM (#667041 - in reply to #667035)
Subject: RE: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 182

Esox Fisherman - 10/6/2013 8:01 AM

We keep ours in a "Pet Taxi"(it is for transporting cats to the vet, kind of like a small dog kennel) and keep them in the lake. It works great and I have kept suckers alive for well over a week in there. Been doing this for over 20 years.

When I started reading this figured it would be a smart... suggestion. That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

mastical

Posted 10/6/2013 8:46 AM (#667038 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 568

Location: Lake St Clair

lol good idea there

Esox Fisherman

Posted 10/6/2013 9:22 AM (#667042 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: RE: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Just another note on the Pet Taxi cage for suckers, I have used the solid wire ones but prefer the mainly plastic ones with a wire cage door. I think it keeps them calmer when predators come sniffing around. I have also had buddies with the nylon expandable sucker homes but otters have ripped them apart over night and my hard plastic one has survived so far. I did mount a 1/4" plate of steel on the bottom of it to keep it weighted down better when the wind picks up and waves try to move it around and the extra weight also keeps it from blowing out of the boat when towing it empty to your next destination. Next time you go garage sale hunting pet Taxis are a dime a dozen and seem to be at a lot of them

jonnysled

Posted 10/6/2013 9:24 AM (#667043 - in reply to #667042)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 13688

Location: minocqua, wi.

dark is best ... keep them in a cabela's plastic live well aerated and keep cold, fresh water. as long as they are still and dark they are pretty hearty.

Brett Carroll

Posted 10/6/2013 9:36 AM (#667045 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 696

Location: Northern Illinois

After we come in for the night we have a the insides of a dryer next to our dock. We end up putting them in there. We've actually left them in there for over 2 weeks and come back and they are completely healthy. Makes it nice knowing you don't have to transport them from the bait store or make another trip.

BenR

Posted 10/6/2013 11:13 AM (#667054 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

I used to keep them alive for a week or so by adding ice to a cooler regularly. Worked great.

Trophyseeker50

Posted 10/6/2013 2:48 PM (#667078 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 791

Location: WI

My buddy's buy suckers in early September and keep them in a trough (I believe for feeding pigs or something.) it has an aerator pump in it. He keeps them all season behind his garage. I know he adds fresh water daily and think he feeds them too.

Dave8121

Posted 10/6/2013 6:14 PM (#667101 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 122

Do you know what he feeds them?

Clammer

Posted 10/6/2013 8:52 PM (#667128 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 668

Location: Wisconsin

As ben said, ICE. The cold water really helps. If the lake is cold I have a large cage net that I keep them in. If it is sept and the water is not cooled yet then they stay in the ranger live well with fresh water, ice and the lid closed. They stay alive and kicking in there.

fishpoop

Posted 10/7/2013 1:27 AM (#667151 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 656

Location: Forest Lake, Mn.

I used to keep them in a oxygen pack in a cooler on ice. They'd last for days in there. Once opened I'd just keep them in the boat livewell and they'd stay ok overnight. In the morning I'd just kick on the livewell pump, this was on trips when the boat didn't come out of the water at night. I was able to keep suckers alive for a full week trip.

For extended periods of time see the above replies.

Nell

Posted 10/7/2013 11:25 AM (#667217 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 122

I use a big horse water tank and water pump to keep the water following will keep for a LONG time but keeping it cool in hot months and food would be great i haven't tried this is say august just spring. I could probably keep them all summer if I had an idea on good food for them and since bait shops don't carry them mid summer

Junkman

Posted 10/7/2013 1:45 PM (#667250 - in reply to #667217)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 1220

OK, here's my great innovation, just need an old cooler, a couple of Frabill aerators and some aquarium tubing. Works great, just buy your D-cells in bulk at Costco and it's pretty cheap to use.

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Imobley

Posted 10/7/2013 2:24 PM (#667254 - in reply to #667250)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 84

I keep them in an aquarium in my garage. I've never had any longer than a month but i change the water weekly and they seem to stay pretty healthy, so its anyone guess on long they could live. I just feed them fish food from the store

clintv11

Posted 10/7/2013 2:24 PM (#667253 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: RE: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 76

Location: MPLS Metro

I have a 100 gallon tank with two aerators and a canaster filter system. I have had these three in the tank for three weeks now, couple have had hooks in their sides and bands through their noses and are still going strong. The trick is to keep the tank cold, use amonia reducing charcoal in the filter, and do a 30 gallon water change every 4 days. I know it seems like alot of work but to have them on hand whenever you need them through the fall season is pricless.

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Brad P

Posted 10/8/2013 9:51 AM (#667441 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 833

What do people feed them? I usually just stick them in a cooler with an aerator. I can keep 3 alive over an entire week of work as long as the water is cold and I change it daily. I agree that cold is the key ingredient.

Anyone have advice on aerators, I've heard you can "charge" them up with extra O2, but have never heard of a way to do that? I just use a simple aquarium aerator which keeps them alive, but haven't seen any additional fiestyness?

Ryan21

Posted 11/7/2013 5:15 PM (#672459 - in reply to #667441)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 34

Location: New Carlisle, IN

I have used cat food for baitfish in Florida. That might work for suckers too.

jdsplasher

Posted 11/7/2013 6:02 PM (#672466 - in reply to #672459)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 2332

Location: SE, WI.

Suckers Love worms!!! Wax worms, red worms, leaf worms,any kind!

Edited by jdsplasher 11/7/2013 6:03 PM

ILmuskie

Posted 11/8/2013 6:29 AM (#672499 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 371

Location: Dixon, IL

Interesting! I wondered, when you change water so where is new water came from? From lake? I know water that we drink would kill suckers!

jdsplasher

Posted 11/8/2013 6:52 AM (#672501 - in reply to #672499)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 2332

Location: SE, WI.

I only use live bait for about 5 or 6 weeks in the fall so Storing live bait is not a problem in cold weather... But I change water about every 4- 6 days pending the warmth of the week.

If you have city water, let the water sit for 24-48 hours in a open container before adding live bait to it. make sure water temps stay cool. 38 to 48 ish. Also, must have aeration in live bait. Luckily I have a well and that water is ready to go out of the tap. Also, if you can save rain water In a barrel, that also is excellent water for live bait.

If there is warm days expected for two or 3 days in the row, I freeze quart, or gallon jugs of water, and put in bait in the morning, and holds cool temps throughout the day.

Edited by jdsplasher 11/8/2013 6:59 AM

jdsplasher

Posted 11/8/2013 8:39 AM (#672515 - in reply to #672501)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 2332

Location: SE, WI.

Also, ANother plus is to get the shad keeper from bass pro, or other retailers. These additives help water quality. I use to keep my minnows and shiners alive all winter long. I buy a 3 lb container and lasts me 2-3 years.

Edited by jdsplasher 11/8/2013 8:41 AM

ToddM

Posted 11/8/2013 9:11 AM (#672519 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: Re: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 20281

Location: oswego, il

WalMart and cabelas sell a live well kit for a cooler, works off a 12v system. I ordered one, right now using a rapala battery operated air pump. I had 7 suckers in a 10 gallon cooler and 4 died in the first 3 days but the last 3 have been fine. I change.the water every day, they mess it up quick.

Sparky S

Posted 11/8/2013 5:59 PM (#672568 - in reply to #667032)
Subject: RE: How long do you keep suckers before fishing?

Posts: 2

I use a 10-15 Gallon Rubber Maid container, cut the lid out to get a "Aqu-Tech" fish aquarium Power filter (can buy at Wal-Mart) mounted on the side. I've extended the power filter's pipe down so it can reach bottom of the Rubbermaid container.

I run this and a 110V Frabill areator in the container. Lid keeps suckers from jumping out.

I have well water with a Reverse Osmosis system. I strictly use the RO Filter water as the well water doesn't do well with any form of bait fish. Change 2-5 gallons of water daily depending on the water clarity. Clean or change filter 7-10 days.
I use a couple of drops of "Foam Off" by Sure Life at each water change to keep the foam away.

My suckers will last 2-3 weeks depending on how the temperature in the garage is doing. I've run this type of set up for the last three falls now. I haven't feed them....looks like I am going to have to try some wax worms as suggested.

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