Tips for keeping bugs alive for next day? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Chuck D · 11-01-2013, 01:16 PM

They do need some air. Wet saltwater towel, bowl, refrigerator. Should last a day, anymore then that freeze em'.

ful-rac · 11-01-2013, 01:28 PM

I found that if you keep them clean and cool but not cold, they can live up to 3 days. Little splash of seawater every now and again to keep them hydrated helps too. Don't forget to bring home a little bit of kelp to put on top of em they seem to like that.

danjor · 11-01-2013, 01:55 PM

Probably not the best but I just toss them in the sink, wet a clean shop towel and put ontop of them and than throw a hand full of ice over the towel and go to bed, always alive until dinner or I freeze them. Tired the same method in a cooler and they died but sink works well.

Dannowar · 11-01-2013, 02:11 PM

saltwater towel on top of them in a cooler with the lid open

actually forgot about them once in my garage and they were still alive after almost 3 days!

dadd827 · 11-01-2013, 02:55 PM

Put the bugs in a bucket (no water)

Put the bucket into a insulated grocery bag (Trader Joe's)

Put two 1-liter FROZEN water bottles on either side of the bucket (but inside the insulated Trader Joe's bag)

Put the lid on the bucket (slid off to the side a small bit to allow air flow)

Lay a folded beach towel on top (for insulation)

When I come home from work the next day to deal with the bugs... they have been kept cool and comfy and are plenty feisty when I am ready to deal with them. I have gone as long as a couple days and they have been fine.

I tried to put them in the refrigerator once and it killed them. Dry and cool seems to work good for me.

A buddy of mine puts them in a plastic storage tote and then puts the tote on some frozen bottles and that seems to work well for him. With the lid cracked of coarse so they can breathe.

Hope that helps someone. That's what I've figured out so far.

11-01-2013, 03:03 PM

Soaknews paper/Sawdust in salt water, and put that in the bottom of a box or cooler on top of some frozen paper towels/ice pack/water bottles. It should work just fine for a few days.

11-01-2013, 01:28 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I found that if you keep them clean and cool but not cold, they can live up to 3 days. Little splash of seawater every now and again to keep them hydrated helps too. Don't forget to bring home a little bit of kelp to put on top of em they seem to like that. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

11-01-2013, 02:11 PM	#4
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	saltwater towel on top of them in a cooler with the lid open actually forgot about them once in my garage and they were still alive after almost 3 days! __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

11-01-2013, 02:55 PM	#5
dadd827 Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: La Mesa, CA Posts: 29	Put the bugs in a bucket (no water) Put the bucket into a insulated grocery bag (Trader Joe's) Put two 1-liter FROZEN water bottles on either side of the bucket (but inside the insulated Trader Joe's bag) Put the lid on the bucket (slid off to the side a small bit to allow air flow) Lay a folded beach towel on top (for insulation) When I come home from work the next day to deal with the bugs... they have been kept cool and comfy and are plenty feisty when I am ready to deal with them. I have gone as long as a couple days and they have been fine. I tried to put them in the refrigerator once and it killed them. Dry and cool seems to work good for me. A buddy of mine puts them in a plastic storage tote and then puts the tote on some frozen bottles and that seems to work well for him. With the lid cracked of coarse so they can breathe. Hope that helps someone. That's what I've figured out so far.

11-01-2013, 01:16 PM	#1
Chuck D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Park Posts: 559	They do need some air. Wet saltwater towel, bowl, refrigerator. Should last a day, anymore then that freeze em'.

11-01-2013, 01:55 PM	#3
danjor Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 673	Probably not the best but I just toss them in the sink, wet a clean shop towel and put ontop of them and than throw a hand full of ice over the towel and go to bed, always alive until dinner or I freeze them. Tired the same method in a cooler and they died but sink works well.

11-01-2013, 03:03 PM	#6
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	Soaknews paper/Sawdust in salt water, and put that in the bottom of a box or cooler on top of some frozen paper towels/ice pack/water bottles. It should work just fine for a few days.