IT’S COOL. But not cold! Keeping bait fresh in the winter and alive is key to good fishing, whether it’s waxworms, minnows or spikes, maintaining temperature and conditions are all part of the process. We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.

 

Featured Photo:  Chuck ‘Em!  Dead or pupated spikes (the dark ones) need to be removed from bait containers throughout the winter to ensure livelier offerings. Simonson Photo.

 

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Thu 1/10 – Switch. Hi 26, Lo 11, Wind S@10
Tomorrow: Fri 1/11 – TGIF! Hi 21, Lo 17, Wind N@8

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
8:26AM       5:15PM

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead    Underfoot
11:06AM     9:55PM        4:26PM        4:05AM

 

Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent (19% Full)

 

EDGE HOUR:   4:00-5:00PM.  Moon overhead before sunset will set up an evening bite in today’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS

 

THE FRIDGE. Having a bait fridge or maybe just a shelf in the garage fridge is a great place to keep minnows and insect larvae cool and calm.  The lower water temperature prevents stressing and over-movement of minnows and keeps bugs like waxies from pupating.  Unlike the garage itself, which may heat up on warmer days, the temp stays stable and bait does as well.

KEEP ‘EM CLEAN.  Go through spikes and waxies periodically to remove pupated or dead larvae from the population.  This makes more room for the livelier specimens and helps prevent further hardening of other bait.

 

CYCLE.  If you’re hanging on to last weekend’s baitfish, remember to cycle the water out when things start to look or smell funny. A fresh shot of water will extend the life of minnows in a bucket – especially if it’s filtered out of the fridge dispenser.  This can also be aided by using a battery-powered aerator from time to time to add some oxygen to the water in the container

 

Stay Sharp!