The Importance of Having a Live Well on Your Fishing Boat

Everything You Need to Know About Live Wells on Boats

You wouldn't want your fishing trip to be ruined by fish dying and rotting in your boat before you have the chance to take them home. That's why many fishers prefer boats with live wells.

Are you curious about how live wells work? Want to know how to take care of them, and what features to look for in a live well? We’ve answered these questions and more below.

What is a Live Well?

When you go fishing, you might plan on landing plenty of impressively sized catches. But once you’ve caught your fish, where should you put them? Live wells answer that question.

Live wells are an important tool for any fishing trip. These are small tanks attached to (or installed into) fishing boats, deck boats, or even pontoons. You can store your fish in them so they can be kept alive, or you can keep live bait inside. Think of the live well as a cooler that stores water creatures instead of cold drinks.

Live wells pump fresh water from the boat’s surrounding body of water into the live well, then sends water back out. This keeps the water oxygenated, and ultimately, fresh enough for living creatures to be sustained.

Benefits of Having Live Well

Not sure if a live well would be right for you? There are plenty of benefits to having one, no matter what kind of fisher or boater you are.

Trying to catch the biggest fish? Getting the right sized live well can land you a win in any competition
Live wells are carefully regulated to keep your fish alive with the correct oxygen and water pressure
Out of sight, out of mind: live wells give you a hidden space to keep your fish, so your boat won’t stink up or become crowded
Some argue that live wells are the most ethical way to store caught fish, as they can remain in regulated water on your boat

Features to Look For

Not all live wells are made the same. As technology develops, more companies are putting their creative spin on this useful feature. These are some of the most important features to look for in a live well.

Size Matters

One of the most important specifications of a live well is the size. Whether the fish you catch are mighty huge, or you plan to catch a ton of them, you’ll want to aim for the largest well you can find.

Good Circulation

Check if your live well has any special circulation features. The last thing you want is low oxygen, or contamination in your live well.

LED Lights

Having a well-lit live well might not seem very important, but you’ll be glad you have this feature when you need it. It’s important to check that your bait is healthy, and that fish are thriving.

The Right Shape

Did you know that the shape of your live well can affect how well organisms are kept alive in it?

Oval-shaped wells are usually preferred, as this shape allows a current to form. The current more closely reflects what organisms would experience in a larger body of water. Plus, there are no sharp corners or flat walls.

Cleaning a Live Well

It’s important to make sure you live well is clean and that your pumps and lines run properly. Removing buildup is essential, as lingering items can release ammonia and carbon monoxide that can kill your fish.

There are some live well cleaners on the market, but you could also use vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

To clean, start by removing the valve screens – these accumulate algae and junk pretty quickly. Next, close all areas of your live well so it will hold water. Fill your live well with clean, fresh water, about three quarters full. Then, add vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Turn on aerators for about half an hour. Finally, drain, and rinse with water. After air drying, your live well should be good to go.

Maintaining Temperature

Fish are cold-blooded. That means that they regulate their body temperatures from their surrounding environment, rather than from within. That’s why regulating your live well’s temperature is important.

Most expert fishers agree that you should avoid going over 84 degrees Farenheit.

Conclusion

A good fisher understands the importance of having the right equipment – and a live well is one of the most useful tools in your collection. By having this feature on your boat, you’ll be able to keep water creatures alive on the way home, which comes with plenty of benefits.