Thread: How to best keep live shrimp alive

Assuming here an aerator is a must; what else? How many in a bucket is too many, ideal water temp (cool or warm), how often to change the water, type of bucket, etc.
If you do everything you can, are they still fragile, die easily?

Bucket & aerator and changing water helps but they still may just die.
Dropping a frozen bottle of water in the bucket helps keep the temp lower.

I try not to keep more than 3 dozen in a 5 gallon bucket with an aerator unless they are kind of small and I'm fishing for sheepshead in March or April and use them up quickly. Some time ago I noticed Haywire had a 2 gallon bucket with a big sinker on one side of the handle and a long rope to dip fresh water. I have been doing the same thing for a couple of years and you can keep shrimp for a long time if you change the water out every couple of hours. I use a teaspoon of Pogy Saver in the bucket overnight and change out the water first thing the next morning. A cheap 110v aquarium aerator will pay for itself in a week at the pier in D cell battery savings. Hopefully the bite is on fire and you are rushing to J&M to get more before they close.

Here's a few more tips:

3 dozen in 3 gallons of water in a 5 gallon bucket IF the water and air are below 80 degrees
2 to 2 1/2 dozen above that temp unless you get an additional aerator.

Keep the bucket in the shade as much as possible (on hot, sunny days).
Cover with a ventilated lid or towel to help keep the water temp from rising too much.
Remember 85 degree water can only hold about half as much O2 as 65 degree water holds.

Change the water out every 24 hours.

Use a dip net, NEVER put your hands in the bucket.

Additives like the crystal bait savers work well and the liquids like O2 Marine Juice are even better.
A 1 ounce bottle is only $4...
O2 Marine G-Juice Powered by U2 Pro Formula Livewell Fish & Bait Booster | Bass Pro Shops

Hope this helps!

I use a dip net almost always but I didn't know not to put your hand in the shrimp bucket. What does that do to the shrimp?

The natural oils on our skin will wash off causing the water to degrade, but an even bigger offender is sunscreen which is likely poisonous to the shrimp.
Also a net is more efficient to scoop the shrimp than trying to grab one under water and not as likely to 'panic the herd'.
When they all jump around like that some are likely to injure themselves or stab another shrimp.

... just trying to cover all the bases ;-)