Need suggestions on leeches (help!)

[Lee Borgersen]

Leech Questions?

This year I brought back about 4 lbs of Med leeches at $10.50 per lb.. Every year I get lazy and don't change the water as often as I should and loose way to many. This year I pledged to myself to change water and hose them off every two days. What a pain in the   . This time of the year they molt? (slime) and are more work then ever. After they reach the end of the molt? period it's easier to take care of them. I don't buy large or jumbo because they die off faster and I plan on using them Aug and Sept.


I also keep them in 4...1 gal containers with aquarium aerators running and that helps a lot. I'm looking for any suggestions that you guys know of to extend their life. They are kept refrigerated. I also read in the fishing Encyclopedia not to feed them since the will get sluggish.

Any suggestions or secrets in extending their life would be helpful. Let's hear what you have to say.


Lee

[Fawkinnae]

The key for me seems to be change the water - I usually use distilled - minimum 1/week and get the dead ones out of there as soon as possible. I never know if I should feed them or not - I don't.

That's a great price for leeches.

[Lee Borgersen]

I always watch out for the leeches. I'd go broke with distilled water. that would take 4 gal every 2 days with 4... 1 gallon containers to change each time. I purchase my leeches at the bait box in Superior.  I also have to wash out the gallon jugs from time to time. They get contaminated with slime and scum.

Anyone else have some more thoughts?

Thanks for the feedback Doug. 

[DDSBYDAY]

Keeping Leeches Alive and Healthy
May 12, 2010By Walleye Wisdom Staff

Every fisherman knows that a walleye can’t resist a leech underneath a slip bobber. Mark Jewell of Jewell Outdoors sends us this article on how to keep your leeches healthy:

Everyone wants to have the liveliest leeches possible on the end of their hook! These lively little suckers, out perform most other baits – especially when things are slow. One of the most commonly asked questions by our customers is, “How do you keep leeches alive?” So, here is how:

Receiving your Shipment:

When you receive leeches from Jewell Outdoors, they will come in a cardboard box from Spee Dee Delivery, or UPS. Inside that box is a cooler, and within that is a plastic bag with your leeches, along with an ice bottle to help keep them cool.

1. Immediately remove the plastic bag from the box, leaving it sealed, and put it in your refrigerator. This allows them to cool gradually to about 40 Degrees Fahrenheit.

2. After 2 hours, remove the leeches from the bag, and place in your own container.

3. Cover them with just enough water to cover the tops of the leeches. They will move around, and bunch up around the edges – its okay if some are sticking out of the water a little bit. Please make sure the water is close to the same temperature as the leeches, so you don’t shock them.

3a. Be sure the water you’re using has no chlorine or fluoride in it. City water usually contains one or both, and it is not good for live fishing bait! Use fresh water from a well, lake, river, or other source. If you have well water, but put your water through a softener, you must let it stand for a minimum 24 hours before using it on live fishing bait.

Long Term Care:

1. Be sure to change the water every other day or so. During latter parts of the summer, you may wish to do this every day, as they are a bit more unstable – usually after the Fourth of July.

2. If you take them to the lake, but do not use all of them, simply place them back in the refrigerator to gradually cool them down. Change the water once they have cooled.

Take care, and Happy Fishing!

Mark Jewell
mark@jewelloutdoors.com

         One more tip I heard but have not tried is put a couple of golfball size stones in the water.  They are supposed to help with the slime.  Apparently the leeches will rub up against them.   I hope this helps Lee.