Bait, and keeping it alive overnight

So, kinda new to live bait, but found some confidence catching bait from the pier today.

Found a nice spot to catch shiner perch and smelt. I know people use smelt for hali bait, what about the shiner perch?  What size smelt are the right size for hali in the bay, and what size hooks should I use?  Caught several today in the 6-12" range.

Also, if I wanted to catch some of those one afternoon, for use the next morning, what is the best way to keep them alive? 5 gallon bucket and aerator? Or do I need something more sophisticated?

Thanks for any help!

Live Shiners are great baits for Halibuts in the bay so do Jack Smelts.   As for bait size, from my experience bigger bait for bigger fish that not to say you can't catch big fish with  smaller bait.  I have caught Halibuts using 10 to 12 inch Jack Smelts.

Shiners are warriors...I use a 20 gallon or 30 gallon garbage can with a dual aerator and have two 15ah sla's.  Smelt can last overnight sometimes and anchovies are a tough overnight...shiners are certainly your overnight friends.  It's getting colder so keeping the water refreshed might not be an issue...Big hali's love shiners though the ones in Tomales are macking on smelt now I've read...12'' shiner?  4-6" with a stinger or not in the dorsal might get whacked by a doormat...

Live Shiners are great baits for Halibuts in the bay so do Jack Smelts.   As for bait size, from my experience bigger bait for bigger fish that not to say you can't catch big fish with  smaller bait.  I have caught Halibuts using 10 to 12 inch Jack Smelts.

Nice, good to hear that shiners are good for halibuts - caught several today.

Shiners are warriors...I use a 20 gallon or 30 gallon garbage can with a dual aerator and have two 15ah sla's.  Smelt can last overnight sometimes and anchovies are a tough overnight...shiners are certainly your overnight friends.  It's getting colder so keeping the water refreshed might not be an issue...Big hali's love shiners though the ones in Tomales are macking on smelt now I've read...12'' shiner?  4-6" with a stinger or not in the dorsal might get whacked by a doormat...

Hey Eddie, was hoping you would chime in - you have a bit of a reputation for bait-keeping.  Thanks for confirming what I was thinking, that shiners should be ok overnight with an aerator. Catch at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, on the water by 0730 or so seems reasonable. Should I bring them inside, or in the truck bed ok?

Haha, 12" smelt!  Shiners were all 3-6" or so. 

Thanks guys!

Live Shiners are great baits for Halibuts in the bay so do Jack Smelts.   As for bait size, from my experience bigger bait for bigger fish that not to say you can't catch big fish with  smaller bait.  I have caught Halibuts using 10 to 12 inch Jack Smelts.

Nice, good to hear that shiners are good for halibuts - caught several today.

Shiners are warriors...I use a 20 gallon or 30 gallon garbage can with a dual aerator and have two 15ah sla's.  Smelt can last overnight sometimes and anchovies are a tough overnight...shiners are certainly your overnight friends.  It's getting colder so keeping the water refreshed might not be an issue...Big hali's love shiners though the ones in Tomales are macking on smelt now I've read...12'' shiner?  4-6" with a stinger or not in the dorsal might get whacked by a doormat...

Hey Eddie, was hoping you would chime in - you have a bit of a reputation for bait-keeping.  Thanks for confirming what I was thinking, that shiners should be ok overnight with an aerator. Catch at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, on the water by 0730 or so seems reasonable. Should I bring them inside, or in the truck bed ok?

Haha, 12" smelt!  Shiners were all 3-6" or so. 

Thanks guys!

As long as the air is going they should be alright in the truck...I leave em' in my van all night and when I wake, I go say hi and they're so happy and ready to get to work...I think I've kept shiners for two nights before but gotta change out the water...

Sweet, thanks! Now, just gotta find where the late season halibuts are hiding! I'm thinking a TI trip might be in order, get to some deeper water in the bay. Been seeing a bunch of boats drifting/slow trolling south of the barge anchoring area the last few days/week.

The bay is probably gonna be a zoo this upcoming week for Fleet Week though...

Sweet, thanks! Now, just gotta find where are the late season halibuts are hiding! I'm thinking a TI trip might be in order, get to some deeper water in the bay. Been seeing a bunch of boats drifting/slow trolling south of the barge anchoring area the last few days/week.

That is certainly an area for this time of year...hitting Tomales tomorrow just by the Lawson's report...stay tuned...

Sweet, thanks! Now, just gotta find where are the late season halibuts are hiding! I'm thinking a TI trip might be in order, get to some deeper water in the bay. Been seeing a bunch of boats drifting/slow trolling south of the barge anchoring area the last few days/week.

That is certainly an area for this time of year...hitting Tomales tomorrow just by the Lawson's report...stay tuned...

I've never launched there, but I know where the ramp is. What is the parking situation? I've searched here, and it seems like it changes year to year. Would hate to launch and go fish for a day, just to find my truck got towed or broken into while I was out.

Thanks again for your help!

Sweet, thanks! Now, just gotta find where are the late season halibuts are hiding! I'm thinking a TI trip might be in order, get to some deeper water in the bay. Been seeing a bunch of boats drifting/slow trolling south of the barge anchoring area the last few days/week.

That is certainly an area for this time of year...hitting Tomales tomorrow just by the Lawson's report...stay tuned...

I've never launched there, but I know where the ramp is. What is the parking situation? I've searched here, and it seems like it changes year to year. Would hate to launch and go fish for a day, just to find my truck got towed or broken into while I was out.

Thanks again for your help!

Miller point, part of Marin open space, you can get a pass at the library for two weeks if you like. 5$ no break ins, slow now so plenty of parking

Miller point, part of Marin open space, you can get a pass at the library for two weeks if you like. 5$ no break ins, slow now so plenty of parking

Sorry, I meant for TI - seems like the parking there is constantly in flux.

I haven’t explored the TI launch for a year.  Berkeley is an option to access that zone as well, never done it though…

I haven’t explored the TI launch for a year.  Berkeley is an option to access that zone as well, never done it though…

For sure - Berkeley is an option, as is Emeryville.  Don't have to pay bridge toll either, haha.  Would make for a long day finding fish if they are hanging out deeper though. 

I know some folks over on TI - will have to ask locals what the deal is with parking near the ramp.  I haven't seen any TI reports from this year on the site, and haven't seen any kayaks around the area.  Doesn't look good for access...  I will start a new thread if I find any information about it. 

Weather looks good to give TI a try on Saturday, especially if I can sneak around by the barges and hide from the wind behind the island...

Built a bait bucket! Hopefully this will keep a shiner alive overnight!

Built a bait bucket! Hopefully this will keep a shiner alive overnight!

Heck yeah, prolly could keep 5 alive all night...wish you could fish Friday.  85% picking up some livees and attempting a high tide session and fleeing the area by 2:30...

Built a bait bucket! Hopefully this will keep a shiner alive overnight!

Heck yeah, prolly could keep 5 alive all night...wish you could fish Friday.  85% picking up some livees and attempting a high tide session and fleeing the area by 2:30...

Dang, wish I could join you! Unfortunately work calls... Occasionally I get days off during the week though. Good luck!