Just got back from Whitney. Yes, we caught some stripers but nothing like the guys using live bait. So...guess I'll need to join the crowd. My questions...can I use my live well(s) that are currently on my 22' center console to keep shad alive? If not, what is the recommended brand and size for 2 - 3 guys fishing? Input is greatly appreciated!

When I had my CC I always used the Livewell for bait.

I have kept perch alive for a couple of days but haven't tried shad. Did you rely on the regular pump or install an aerator?

I'm pretty sure it was just the regular pump. It's been a while. Was a 2010 Blue Wave Deluxe. I used the bait well in front of the console. Had a PVC pipe you screwed in the bottom to fill it up. I think it just recirculated. Never had an issue.

You'll be good for only a couple hours until they're ALL dead! Doesn't matter how much salt or shad keeper (additive) you add. I have two bait wells on my center console with Max-Air on both and never had luck keeping them alive. I went through the same thing ten years ago. Look at Grayline or Shad Soup bait tanks. Last week I had over 100 shad in a 19 gallon Grayline tank w/ no dead loss. Unfortunately it's the only way to go.

a round or oval tank is a must. If there are corners , they will bunch up and die. Over crowd your tank and they will die.
If you cool your water , don't over do it, too much temp differance and they will all die.

good luck


MO

Guess I was lucky. Never had an issue keeping them alive. Rounded baitwell.
Wasn’t trying to keep them alive for days or anything though.

Those striper soup bait tanks look good! Think I'll order one!

Heat is often an issue....when I go fishing all night or day i dont even use the livewells..I bring frozen blue packs to throw them in a small minnow bucket with the water they were bagged in...and they last longer than circulating lake water in the wells....I would think the texas heat to be your biggest hurdle.....

^^^^^^^^

More general info:
Don't listen to guys that say they have no problem keeping bait alive using the livewell in their boat.
When fishing with live bait, there is a big difference between alive and lively. Fish like to eat lively bait.

So true^^^^^

5 gallon bucket and an O2 setup......

The absolute best bait tank is Creek Bank. I have had greylines, soup and Creek Bank is the best

It doesn’t get any better or cheaper than this, plastic bucket with lid, O2 injection system, change the water a few times daily and that is all there is to maintaining excellent water quality and excellent high quality live bait. Not only will this cheap 5 gallon plastic bucket/O2 rig, < $199, keep shad alive, if you increase the dose of O2 on the regulator you can Supercharge your shad if you like unnatural shad.. A Supercharge shad they are extremely energetic, abnormally active, stronger and more durable than any fresh caught shad. There is live shad, lively shad and the ultimate Supercharged shad that is totally unnatural in the wild.

I have a Grayline. I can keep shad alive for days. I use the insulated tank with blue inner color, and the removeable filter/aeration. I can put shad in it, that are swimming upside down, and starting to get a red nose, and within minutes they are healthy, and frisky as can be.