How to handle bait on a boat

When you’re out on your boat, having a system in place is crucial for maintaining the freshness and usability of your bait throughout the day. 

Storing bait doesn’t have to break the bank – a few 99-cent buckets are a great place to start. And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from all my years of boating, it is that you can never have enough buckets. 

If your boat doesn’t have a live well, try using a storage tub with an aerator. This method has proven to keep my livies swimming for hours on board. 

Extend the life of live bait by constantly changing the water in the tub, and adding fresh saltwater. If live bait looks to be on the way out, adding a couple of buckets of fresh saltwater will bring them back to life.

A battery-powered aerator, which mixes oxygen with the water, costs around $30 from most tackle stores. 

If you don’t have the time to DIY, for around $40 you can buy premade bait storage bins online. A more premium bait storage system with a cutting board lid will be closer to the $100 mark. 

You can also use a timber slab as a bait board to help minimise the clean-up.

There is nothing more frustrating than getting to your fishing spot with a sounder full of fish and not being able to get frozen bait on the hook instantly. 

All too often, fishers will out for the day and hit the fishing grounds with solid lumps of frozen bait still wrapped up in newspaper. 

To avoid this, once you launch your boat, scoop up some water into a bucket and let the packet of bait defrost. 

Thawed bait is not a vibe to take home and put in the fridge. I have done this before and it almost ended in divorce. 

By day’s end, your bait is likely to be a bit smelly and falling to bits. Rather than throw it overboard, put it into a snaplock bag, take it home and freeze it to use as a burley the next time you head out.

One of the worst jobs after a good day of fishing is cleaning the leftover bits of bait off your boat. 

The key to bait, and particularly the smell, is to clean it off as soon as possible once back onshore. 

Allowing bits of bait to dry and harden will only make cleaning more difficult. I aim to tackle this job as soon as I get home so that it is over and done with. 

Having the right gear certainly helps to clean up quickly – a good scrubbing brush or soft sponge dipped in a bucket of warm soapy water works well. 

You can also use a special marine cleaner for tougher stains or persistent odours. 

Be mindful of the surface you’re cleaning, and be particularly careful with fibreglass hulls as abrasive scrubbing and harsh chemicals can damage the gelcoat over time. 

Try using a soft-bristled brush to protect your boat’s finish. 

Proper maintenance ensures that your storage bins remain in good condition for future outings and minimises the risk of contamination and bad smells. Follow these few tips, and you should soon be ready to hit the water again, ready to fish as soon as you stop.