bait temperature?

[MNorthwoods]

Hi there - just wondering if anyone has a key to keeping crawlers and leeches fresh. I think I have the main key that being fresh bedding. I hear that fatnsassy works well for leeches now too.
However, is there a certain temp that is better? It seems that the temp in my beer'n'bait fridge might be a little cool for crawlers? Do ya need to keep them a bit warmer than the Busch Light? :-)

[hydro]

You guessed it! Crawlers don't like the 35 degrees that's ideal for your lite beer. Besides, after enough of those blue bullets you might confuse the bait and beer and get an unexpected snack.

Depending on the type of crawlers they like anything from mid 40's to 60 degrees. I'm no expert on leeches so I'll leave that one up to further discussion.

[Fisher Dave]

50 degrees is the number your looking for .. it is also an ideal temp to keep minnows at. Minnows will survive at a lower temperature, but if you get much cooler the minnows are more prone to go into shock when they hit warm water.

Beer is ok at 50 degrees too .. but you have to drink it aweful fast so it doesnt get warm.

[Chad711]

How about shiners?

[kslipsinker]

Same temp for shiners. Fresh water is a big key to lively bait too.

[Brother Bro]

Fat N Sassy works great for leeches ... I bought some and have not had an issue..... I like it because I don't have to make sure my leech tamer is sealed properly.... ever had leeches in live well ??? They stay firm.... maybe the only issue would be when you hook sometimes when they re in the water they stretch out more!!!!

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Brother Bro

Work Less Play More

[LocalGuide]

Good thing in just starting to get my "live bait" fridge set up in the garage. Looks like 45º is a good setting for crawlers and minnows so I will go with that.

I also like that leech bedding stuff. One bad thing is you get the bedding all over the boat. But I will take that for keeping leeches for over a month with no care involved.

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[ChuckN]

I have a fridge just for bait and beer. No idea of the temp, but the beer is mighty cold. All my shiners, fatheads and leeches....I haven't lost a life yet. Change the water (with well water) every few days. I keep the bait in 5 gallon buckets, not confined in small buckets. It seems to work better than I expected.