BWCA How did I lose my leeches? Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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07/22/2019 07:51AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm still scratching my head after returning from a short 4-day loop through Wood Lake, Good, Indiana, and Basswood.
Our intentions were to fish, and as usual, we brought about 1lb of large leeches. We kept the leeches in a leech tamer submerged in water on shore tied to a tree as we've done probably dozens of times before. But, on the second morning, we woke up and every single leech was gone. The Velcro strap on top was closed tight, but every single leech was missing. We sat dumbfounded for about an hour inspecting the bag. There were no rips, no signs that a turtle or other animal got into them.
Anyone ever had this happen? We've always brought a leech tamer with no issues. Every once in a while a few will escape, but nothing like this.
I'm almost wondering if something more sinister happened here...
 
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missmolly
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07/22/2019 09:03AM  
I used a leech tamer once and found leeches could escape it. Plus, Velcro works less well over time.
 
Savage Voyageur
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07/22/2019 10:30AM  
If you are holding a pound of Leeches you want to get a bait king. We call it the leech hotel. The large size will hold 2 pounds of Leeches and small will hold 1 pound of Leeches. It is the yellow one that has a screw top lid. Then modify by drilling a hole and inserting a cotter pin in the hole with a string to prevent pin loss. This will prevent a otter, or waves from opening the lid. A leech tamer bag is used for your daily bait needs when fishing. It’s possible that an otter got into your leech tamer bag. They are very crafty dudes when food is involved.
 
07/22/2019 10:34AM  
+1. That Velcro fails over time or it wasn't completely sealed. I love the Tamer but a couple years is all ya get before it has to be replaced.
 
07/22/2019 11:35AM  
ALIENS!!!!!
 
07/22/2019 12:05PM  
jcavenagh: "ALIENS!!!!!"


I simply cannot rule this out
 
07/22/2019 12:48PM  
It doesn't take much of an opening for leeches to wiggle their way out. I use a container with a lid that screws on and will still occasionally find out working its way to freedom.

This is what I use and it works well. Its insulated so keeps the water cooler if left out of the water. The lid screws on and locks in place. Usually need 2 hands to get it open.
 
JimmyJustice
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07/22/2019 04:05PM  
As long as we are on the leech subject...I recently learnt a hack to keep them alive and somewhat less slimy. A buddy who fishes A LOT, tosses in a few pebbles which he says keep the slime off and he tosses in a couple of minnows. It was amazing to see what the leeches did to the minnows. He says this will keep the leeches alive and not slimy for a couple of weeks. Seemed to work from what I could tell.

 
tarnkt
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07/22/2019 05:00PM  
I have made the 1 lb leech tamer donation to the lake before as well. Luckily the smallies saved that trip.

We use a bait king now.
 
07/22/2019 06:29PM  
PETA stopped by when you were sleeping ;)
 
cyclones30
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07/22/2019 11:41PM  
Nalgene bottle user here, many trips and no issues. 2 lids, one solid and one with holes drilled in it. Then you can have a leak-proof container for portages and one that allows water back/forth when you're at camp or wanting to give them fresh water. I doubt any animal will be getting to a tightly sealed nalgene lid.
 
bloody stump
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07/23/2019 08:10AM  
We carry our leeches in a nalgene bottle (properly labeled as bait) while traveling into the BWCA.
When we get to camp, we use a leech tamer, but one with a zipper not the velcro (as others have said, the velcro version has and will loosen up/get junk in the velcro and not seal....and the leeches will find their way out)...not sure if they still sell them with zippers, but since we switched, haven't had a issue with leeches getting out or something else getting in.

 
07/23/2019 08:18AM  
We had a leech tamer do the same thing this year, except it was in our live well. It took a 1/2 pound of leeches literally minutes to escape. Used it for several years no issues, to be honest we couldn’t find a leak, the Velcro seemed fine but that is the only way they could have escaped.

T
 
BearBurrito
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07/23/2019 08:51AM  
Sasquatch ;)
 
07/23/2019 02:44PM  
Hmmm ... was the guy who put them in the water at night the same guy that found them escaped in the morning?
 
07/24/2019 11:43AM  
Have not used a Tamer for years for the very reason you post. Now I use either a or a Bait King Nalgene with a couple holes drilled in the lid.


Bait King
 
07/25/2019 07:26AM  
I have a leech tamer somebody can have if they want, I have 3 bait kings only way to go
 
schweady
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08/06/2019 03:15PM  
Leech Tamers are for day use in the canoe. Leech Kings are the way to keep them overnight. Take a good look at the velcro closure on the Leech Tamer. There is a good 1/4" or more of space at the top corners of the bag on either side of the float. Super easy escape route. (An escape often encouraged by the inevitable snapper.)
 
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