Capt. "Duck" McDonald
Posted by Capt. Duck on March 18, 2002 at 16:51:47:
In Reply to: Re: Why salt? Here is some info. posted by Capt. Duck on March 18, 2002 at 06:23:43:
I really didn't realize that the link I posted was from PETA. I just did a quick search using Google Advanced Search and found that article referring to blueback herring and electrolyte levels. Our SCDNR biologist and some student biologists have told us that salt helps keep the electolyte level in the herring at a healthy level. I did learn someting from the article however, just to keep things balanced here is an anti-PETA propaganda fishing link: Animal Rights Propaganda.
If you want some more scientific references for how electrolytes (dissolved salts) effect bluebacks, check out this link: ALEWIFE/BLUEBACK HERRING
What I learned from the 1st article was that sea salt which contains many salts other than Sodium Chloride is best but when using only sodium chloride they recommend: "concentrations of single ions or salts reflecting their occurrence in natural seawater may serve (for sodium chloride, this will be of the order 0.5 to one percent in aqueous solution, to achieve a final salinity of about half that of normal seawater)". 0.5 to 1.0 percent is 20 to 40 ounces of salt per 50 gal. of water or 12 to 24 ounces per 30 gal. of water. It was also interesting that they said, "In cases where fish will be returned to fresh water, it will be beneficial if they can be given a recovery period of one to two days in brackish water". Now I wonder if we should start reducing the salt content after the bait has been in the tank for a while and calmed down.
Thanks,
Capt. "Duck" McDonald