HOW TO USE BASS BOAT LIVEWELLS

John Crews is a veteran BASS Elite angler and has fished in hundreds of bass tournament over the last 25 years. John shares his basic system of keeping bass alive in bass boat livewells. He runs a Bass Cat Boats Eyra boat and uses T-H Marine G-Juice and Oxygenators to help keep his bass alive. This is just the basics version to help people understand the concepts that he uses with great success.
#bassboat #livewells #howto
www.BassCat.com
www.thmarine.com

[@michaelleach5885]

Man! I’ve owned bass boats for a long time. I appreciate these videos. I always learn something. Awesome!!

[@BWOUTDOORS]

GOOD VIDEO ON LIVEWELLS JOHN, VERY GREAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FISH IN LIVEWELLS.

[@dlefeb67]

Good job covering live well use. Also glad to see you back in the Eyra. I was wondering if the Lynx would keep you satisfied after using the Eyra for so long. To those that asked the question about ice, I live and fish in Louisiana where water temps get in the high 90's. With my Bass Cat live wells I have never lost a fish due to heat. I fill them up early while water temps are cool and only recirculate. If I need to add more water I find shade and fill up there. Water temps are lower out of direct sun. I find putting ice, or too much ice can shock the fish. Many anglers add ice, if you do, add it slowly.

[@JEHAB1]

I plan to purchase my first bass boat in july and your introductory series has been very helpful .

[@daveh4700]

What boat did you get? Jus Curious.

[@rousefire]

I hope you fill your wells at the St Johns next week . You're on my team .

[@thefishingstop1555]

Great information....

[@leeyarbrough9636]

Good video , it’s good to conservationist at its best.

[@jasonfance555]

Thanks!!

[@wulfn7]

I always keep my livewells on auto in fall, winter and spring, but in the summer months at about 10:30 i turn them to recirculate and put a cap full of catch and release in the livewell. Haven't had a fish die yet since i've been doing that and they're always super lively at weigh in where as i've noticed a lot of other anglers fish look pretty lethargic.

[@michaelhorn9947]

I use mine for cold beer

[@CircleGOutdoors]

Any tips for live wells on an older boat? Mine only has pump in, and the drain is just a manually plugged tube.

[@daynelindquist4696]

What if you put walleye in a livewell and you want to keep it live till you get home. Can you leave the water in it or do you have to empty it.

[@stevesteve9202]

John don't forget to tell guys to make certain that they have their bilge pumps on auto, especially when running the aerator continuously. They may want to turn their aerator and pump in on after a long run for a little bit to top off the wells.

[@JohnCrews]

Steve Steve Good point! Thanks man

[@Colkillswitch]

What do you think of the TH marine VT-2 vents to eliminate ammonia gas?

[@flipper2473]

Hi John, have you ever had basscat add a additional bilge pump? If so, was there a additional switch added ,other than the touch pad? I requested a 2nd bilge pump and see no extra switch. Dealer claims there's two modes on pump switch. I am doubting. Thanks

[@bafishing8544]

Great video John! Much appreciated. What you said about the temperatures rising and the fish needing more oxygen as water temps rise... I've noticed over the years, and as you said, the "danger zone" in the summer months when temps rise, I tend to run into more issues with fish going belly up on me. Everyone's always said its from the hot temps and some guys drop frozen water bottles in their live wells to cool things back off.. but after hearing what you said it sounds like it's more of a lack of oxygen issue. Thoughts on trying to cool your live well off vs. just pumping fresh water into your live wells...?? Also, what're your thoughts on belly weights vs fizzing. Early on I tried fizzing but was unsuccessful and killed a couple fish so I went to the belly weights and they work really well to keep them up right and not go belly up. Just curious what your thoughts are on the two techniques...

[@JohnCrews]

Ba.Bassfishing Thanks man. Cooling water is good but a lot of management and best done like you are doing it. I have a video on how to fizz. I really like that versus fin clips but fin clips can help sometimes

[@jimwells77]

Do you ever add ice to your live wells?

[@west777s]

Hey John, we use ice a lot to cool the water temps down in the summertime. Do you or many guys on the tour use ice that much? G juice is the deal!! No doubt it’s a fish saver for sure. Good vid, thanks!

[@JohnCrews]

west777s Some guys use ice. I don’t use. Thanks

[@fisherman7275]

@@JohnCrews John, never used any of the stuff from any manufacturer for live well treatment, but with a background in fish husbandry, I do use an aquarium product called stress coat that removes ammonia, aids in slime coat, and has something to help reduce stress. But glad to see you take as much care of your fish as should be when you have to hold them hostage till pictures or weigh-ins.

[@thecursedfisherman]

Good informative video. What I don't understand is why every boat does not have some type of pro air system which puts 10X more concentrated oxygen into the water than a recirculating pump.

[@zachpainter9986]

You should make a video about the lowrance ghost and how to calibrate the anchor lock feature

[@JohnCrews]

Zach Painter Good idea

[@Keepit10081]

If live well is full. Turn on recirculation on and fill with new water you said. Is there a overflow drain or how does that come about? 🤔

[@jefflovinfishin621]

Bought a 2012 Skeeter zx180 last week. Took boat out yesterday for first time. DID NOT fill my livewells, no problems at all. When putting the boat back on the trailer, my bilge turned on and spit water for about 30 seconds and my livewells were wet, but my bilge was not. Any1 have any clue what that was about??

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Thanks for this video!! The boat I have only has an aerator. I have a timer on it and if I only have one fish I usually have it timed for 5-7 minutes then when I have about three turned it down to like 3 minute intervals. Would you suggest putting an oxygenator in the livewell? I think it holds between 15-20 gal of water. Thanks for any suggestions!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!

[@JohnCrews]

The oxygenator would help. Leaving constant on would also help in hot times

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

@@JohnCrews Thanks for the reply & suggestion. Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!

[@jeffmckee2981]

Hey John, do you ever have trouble with your Bass Cat getting on plane with the live wells full? Thanks and i really enjoy your videos.

[@reddawng43x91]

Wtf? Lmao😂 are you telling us your over proped??? Too much pitch perhaps lol😅

[@mellow_mirror3473]

Question for my Grand-Father, we are currently having a problem with the love well in his, 1992 Astro S-18FS, would you happen to know who model of live well it uses?

[@JohnCrews]

Not familiar with that but pumps 1, check clogged pipes 2, and check seals 3

[@jimhill6429]

John, I understand that the oxygenators will create chlorine in brackish water like the Potomac. Any thoughts or experience you can elaborate on? BTW, great talking with you about Anna at the BassU in Anderson, SC this past weekend!! Jim Hill

[@JohnCrews]

Good seeing you too! I have heard the same but I don't have a definite answer for you.

[@richardcranium5839]

livewells should come with a plumbing schematic. mine has 3 pumps one pickup and 2 drains (one pump and one gravity overflow/drain)from what i've figured out. its old enough i dont think the last guy wired it up right when he replaced pumps.

[@JohnCrews]

richard cranium Preach on! Agreed

[@cscheatum]

Be sure to keep a Yeti with ice to drop in and keep the water cool. Keeps them from stressing out and overheating.

[@johnmitchell1419]

if I leave the live well filling up won't it overflow the livewell?

[@JohnCrews]

No, there is an overflow that goes out of the boat

[@skibummer2000]

What batteries do u use?

[@JohnCrews]

skibummer2000 Lithium Pros

[@SkipaJig4Bass]

Why not have a few inches of water in the livewell Before you start fishing?

[@JohnCrews]

When I start a tournament, I switch cable to open so it fills up about 1/4 of the way. 👍🏼

[@TheKidkawasaki]

Are you eating this or putting them in a aquarium?

[@anglingnvirginia1346]

I always clean my livewells after a tournament just to know that those next babies will be safe on my parts.

[@nickwilliams4055]

Them live wells look tiny

[@JohnCrews]

Nick Williams Tops are small but they hold more water than any bass boat I know about

[@trevorelliottfishing6262]

I’m 6’6” and if I put my leg into my Bass Cat Puma’s live wells it goes to my mid thigh.

[@rodneyhatcher1858]

Not much room for big fish

[@carlbreeden9074]

Doesnt look like too much room in there for fish

[@JohnCrews]

Biggest live wells in the industry

[@marksinger4415]

“They peeee” shhhhhh 🤫

[@kellycarr4701]

Damn those livewells look small on a Bass Cat.

[@dustyflair]

I call um DEADWELLS.

[@wg8847]

Bla bla bla

[@SkipaJig4Bass]

It's not the water that will kill a bass...it's LACK of OXYGEN...

[@JohnCrews]

100%

[@mrBDeye]

Triangle shape live wells are the worst design.

[@JohnCrews]

You like your fish yo get all sloshed around?

[@mrBDeye]

@@JohnCrews The live wells is my Nitro are much larger and don't slosh.

[@reddawng43x91]

Lmao😂