Leeches, live long and prosper

[BassCat73]

So, what is the best way to keep my leeches alive when I'm not fishing? When I'm on the boat, I keep them in the container they came in, which has some water and some weird, papery substance. The, at home I keep them in the same container and in the fridge. The container does not have holes. Don't they need oxygen? Any tips??

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Mine are in the fridge at home, then I transfer them to my cooler right on top of the ice when I go fishing. Not sure what that papery stuff is. I just keep them in fresh water then change it every other day or so. They last a long time this way.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Thanks thumbs! Is your container air tight, then? I am not that familiar with live bait fishing, but I'm trying to fish for walleye a bit more at the end of the day.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

here is the container, not air tite, put the whole thing in a cooler with ice or put ice in with the leeches to keep water cool. Good luck with the eyes

 

[roscoe]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Leeches will "keep" a long time at home in the fridge.<br /><br />However, when fishing, leeches should be kept at the same temp as the lake water.<br />This is to keep them from going into "shock" and curling up into a ball when they hit the water. You want them to be acclimated to the water temp, relaxed and active.<br /><br />You can buy or make a mesh bag to keep the leeches in while fishing. Then just toss the bag in a bucket of water. They sell the bags at Gander Mtn and Fleet Farm.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Great! Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

I was wondering why they curl up, learn something on here all the time. I only use ice in real hot weather otherwise just in water, won't be doin that any more,thanks roscoe

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

when I think about leeches, the image of big black slimy blood sucking thing full of blood in their body. what is the size of these thing you guy use for bait? do they bite when you try to put them on the hook? I had one on my leg once, I pulled it off and it hurt like a mother...

 

[FishyFun]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

You want to keep them COLD all the time otherwise they will die, even in the boat. I keep my on ice in the boat also, so when they hit the water they do a nice jig, and squirm all over the place. Never let them get air temp. Keep em' in the fridge when not in use and change the water with rain water, not tap water, to much chlorine and other chemicals. Once a week depending how many you have.<br /><br />lee

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Yes, I read an article about the same thing, not using tap water or bottled water, but I don't have much choice since it hasn't been raining around here much.<br /><br />Gonefishie, the leeches I use are probably about 2" long when they aren't stretching out. They have a little round sucker on one end. It will stick on your finger when trying to bait the hook, but it doesn't hurt.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Just came back from a week of fishing.<br />Leeches were kept in a bucket, in the shade, at ambient temperature. It got down to the mid 40's at night, and up to the mid 80's in the afternoon. The only ones that died were killed by walleyes. These were big ones, ranging from 3-5 inches recoiled, and 6-12 inches when extended and swimming.<br /><br />The leeches swimming in the lake were living in 68-75* water.

 

[FishyFun]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

roscoe, nice to meet you! Im from Stanley Wisc. but live in Iowa now. Went to JR college at Medford in the early 70's. <br /><br />lee

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

To reply to gonefishie leeches used for bait can be anywhere from 3/4" to 3" or more. The leeches used for fishing are ribbon leeches and from what I know they are predators(also scavenge) and are not blood suckers so so they suck on your hand but cause no damage(maybe if pass out in the midst of them they might bite but have never tried) so if not squemish with there wiggling are no problems. Fish love them.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Leeches, live long and prosper

Hello Lee.<br />I grew up near Milwaukee, moved here to escape the city. Family is originally from here.<br /><br />Stanley has a big new prison now !!