Leech Care 101
Leeches need special care because they are very vulnerable to several conditions that if they aren’t killed, it’ll render them useless.
The first problem area is -
1. Temperature- store your leeches at the same temperature as the water you’re fishing so they won’t curl. It will take them at least 1 hour to adjust to their new temperature so get them in your live well as soon as possible. Remember if you are fishing with a leech that is curled, you’re not fishing, you’re going for a boat ride because fish will not bite on a curled leech.
There is a simple rule of thumb when using leeches-don’t fish them faster than it can naturally swim because part of the attraction is the swimming motion. So get them acclimated to the water temperature quickly so they’re active and will stretch out and swim freely to tease the fish.
One important thing to remember is to not change water temperatures over 10 degrees per hour, they will live much longer because it’s less stress.
2. Water Quality- This means 2 things. Fresh water and waste water. In dealing with commercial bait companies, we have learned that very few people understand why this is so important.
Fresh water in – waste water out. It’s that simple, leeches create large amounts of waste and all of it contains ammonia. Ammonia displaces oxygen and they will die because they cannot survive in the dirty water. This is where the Leech Tamer allows fresh water to flow in plus an unrestricted flow of waste water out.
 The mesh that the Leech Tamer is made from is incredibly strong and tough. The holes are large enough to allow plenty of water circulation, but small enough as to prevent leeches from getting through and escaping. The Leech Tamer is the only mesh storage bag that prevents the leeches from getting out, so don’t be fooled with other leech bags.
The Leech Tamer floats so it will stay on the surface where you can grab it easily plus it has a loop for a rope to be tied on so you can throw it over the side of the boat or off of a dock. The chartreuse color is also very important because leeches will not spawn while in a Leech Tamer.
 Leeches bought early in the year will live much longer than their later counterparts, so it’s very important to get them early and take care of them. By having them in a Leech Tamer, it takes the hassle out of changing water. Simply swish the bag back and forth a few times and all the waste will leave, leaving the leeches clean and fresh. Now simply dump the old water out and refill the container with fresh water, set the bag in the fridge and you’re done.
Rules of thumb -
A. Don’t try to feed your leeches because it just creates large amounts of waste and undue water changes. Most leeches when stored in a cold, dark place when not in use can live for months.
B. Change water once each week by using filtered or bottled water, never use tap water or well water because they contain elements that will harm or kill the leeches. Store the fresh water in the same place as the leeches because this will keep them from being stressed by different temperatures. Use plenty of water, enough to cover the leeches but not too much so that the Leech Tamer is completely covered. Leeches need to climb out of the water so they don’t drown.
C. After leeches spawn, they die, so buy them as early as possible before their natural waters begin to warm up. Once they warm up for a few days, they will spawn and die. So if you see a white slime on them, get them rinsed and cooled down as soon as possible because they’re beginning to spawn and they will die very soon.
Leeches can be a very easy bait to take care of and is a must when the fish want them and nothing else, so take time to educate yourselves and you’ll have your leeches for months. Remember bait doesn’t die, we usually kill it by not knowing how to take care of it.
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