fish keeper/cvrawdad catcher

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I have tried a lot of different methods of keeping fish alive and well while tubing. I found the mesh bags to restrict the swimming of the fish and to cause mortality in warmer waters, when the fish stress more. Stringers also harm the fish and can be a "navigation hazard" if they wrap around your legs. That has happened with big cats a couple of times, when they were too big to put in the basket.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I recommend the 19" X 30" wire baskets sold by Bass Pro and available at Sportsmans for a lot less. I think Sportsmans sells them for under $10, and they will last for several seasons if you do not drag them through stickups too often.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have bought the ones with the floating lid, but find that it gets in the way and makes you have to use a two handed dunk whenever you put a fish in them. If I am in a hot bite with perch or white bass, and I want to just do a quick slam dunk, with one hand, I actually disconnect the tension spring on the lid to make it easier. Once in awhile a wascally fish will spot the opening and leap back out, but not often enough to worry about.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The foam noodle thing helps hold the basket upright in the water and keeps the opening at water level. Otherwise the basket sinks. I simply run a length of nylon rope through one of those swimming floaters and then tie it off. It will not stay round, but that's not necessary. I leave a length of the rope to tie onto a plastic clip, and then clip that to one of the D rings on the outside of the tube. I bring the wire carrying handles around on the outside and prop them inside the edge of the noodle and that also helps keep the basket open for business. You fold it up and collapse the basket when you are through.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are several sized baskets on the market. Get the biggest one...the 19X30. That seems big, but it is not. It will hold a lot of fish, and keep them healthier, but it is really not unhandy. In the pic below, you can see that even the big basket will not always work...like when you hang a 24# flathead catfish.[/#0000ff]


[#0000ff]But, the baskets will hold a surprising number of larger fish. I have brought in several cats, all over 5#, at one time, and still had space in the basket.[/#0000ff]


[#0000ff]One of the pictorial threads I will be adding to the picture board will include baskets, nets, stringers and other fish controlling devices.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know if you need any more info on setting up the basket.[/#0000ff]
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