I have been fishing my whole life, I am 70, still fish club tournaments. My question is what is this new thing with putting what looks like about foot long pieces of pool noodles in the live wells? While watching some elites and MLF they show this. Is this common and what purpose does it serve? Never thought that fish would need floatation devices. Thanks

It gives a false sense of a ceiling to keep them from trying to jump out...or so the theory goes...

I started using these at times, particularly when fishing bigger water with potential for rough runs. I've noticed it seems to keep fish more calm in the box as I hear much less thrashing around, I think it also protects them a little more in the well while running in rough water. Who knows? Makes me feel better though! haha...

Also allows you to ride higher above the water line to safely get into shallow areas.

That only works with basketballs...

Yeah it's supposed to give the bass the feeling that they're hiding under some sort of cover... Dan

I would agree with this except it's not so much a theory as far as I'm concerned. Experience loosing a fish that way and it makes you a believer real quick.

I use them for a couple of reasons.
1. Main reason is when I open the live well lids, fish don't see daylight and go for it. I've lost a tournament because of this and it won't happen again.
2. Added bonus is of point #1, it fills the head space in the live well to help prevent sloshing of water and padded protection from the fish slashing around.

I know the pain, had a smallmouth launch and make the lake without touching the boat...I was more sad at losing the cull bobber... replaced the fish 30 min later LOL...

Only if you have oxygenators installed and turned on.

I know this is an old thread, but I searched "noodle" before I posted my own question......

I wonder if it helps with fish survival in hot water/weather? If you start the day with some ice in your livewell and the pool noodles act as an insulator from the above temperature....I would think it would. Thoughts?

Sounds logical

I would think it does insulate, the wells with metal latches are the worse, it acts like a heat sink for the sun to warm the water in the livewell up. Seen guys out on desert lakes wet a white towel throughout the day and place over their livewell lids, also the livewell vents help a bunch.

We used to use them in rough water until we found little helmets for our fish.

What is the best color to use?

Pink and Orange?