Bait Tank Plans

Anyone have any good plans or parts list for constructing a bait tank?  

I'm mostly looking for recommendations for the type / brand of pump to use and any other slick ideas that may not be obvious for me to consider... I think this will be my weekend project after the 'honey-do' is complete.

Erik

Hey Erik,

I noticed this thread awhile back-

http://forum.kayak4fish.com/viewtopic.php?t=3575.

From here you should be able to find some good info.

I also remember reading about an internal tank (the Kaya-Tank)being retailed; found at-

http://www.anglersyakshack.com/

I like the idea of keeping the center of gravity low; I'll bet a tank in the tankwell changes the feel of the yak.

I've been thinking about building a bait sled from some scrap 6" PVC and a little foam. It would be cheap and easier to tow than a Plano bucket.

Good luck.

Thanks Bill...

For future reference, here are the links I've found most helpful...

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=15

http://www.kayaksportfishing.com/equipment/submissions/ted/bait_tank/livewell.htm

http://www.fishingmasterbaiter.com./inst/BAIT_TANK_INSTRUCTIONS.doc

Good stuff....

Erik:

I have been making quite a few of these for work lately.  I have been through a few versions now and have gotten rid of some stuff to make it a lot simpler.  You can most of what you need from a good Walmart.  The rest is at West Marine and Interstate.  Here are my thoughts:

1) Go with the bilge style pump and you can skip all of the grief with priming bulbs etc.  Use a Rule 360 and then run it on 6V instead of 12V and your battery will last a long time and not turn your bucket into a jacuzzi.  

2) I use 3 gallon buckets from Friedmans, they aren't as tall and top heavy as 5 gallon buckets, but everything else is the same.  I buy a snap on lid for the bucket, and then cut a hole in the top.  Allows for easy dipping, but the water won't slosh out.  I also make a little slot for the net so it has a home.  These see-through buckets let you keep an eye on your bait and net the best baits.



3) For the "in" I use an Atwood bait tank spray head.  For the out I use a though hull with attached strainer.  



I cut the hose fittings off of the outlet side and just let them dribble out and drain out of the scupper....one less hose.



4) "Lock and lock" tupperware containers are the best cheap battery box I have found.  Fully gasketed and $1.50!

Thanks Sean...

I did some similar things, but I used a bait pump instead of bilge pump design.  I need to pick up your little net holder idea.  Here's what I did... a variation on the same theme posted elsewhere.  I too used the Lock & Lock box from Target for the battery box... and I installed a toggle switch with a rubber cover to make it waterproof.  All of that is available at any old hardware store.  I also installed a primer bulb in-line on 1" ID hose.  I think the primer bulb acts as a limiting orifice... or at least introduces enough head loss to make the actual flow rate of the pump quite low... perfect for a small bait tank.  I'm using a 12 V 5 Ah battery.  I find them very practical because of their small size and still plenty of capacity to run all day without a problem.

I put together one of these for a la jolla trip, but the bait pump I had was a real pain to get running, and even in testing it never really drove much water.  Instead, I let the mackeral swim around my legs in the drifters oversized and very wet cockpit.  

Since, I've used an aerator and that's kept anchovies and shiners alive for a day of halibut fishing.

Sean,

Do you sell those things?  I'm just too lazy, uh, I mean, I'm a bit short on time these days to build one.

-Allen

Since, I've used an aerator and that's kept anchovies and shiners alive for a day of halibut fishing.

I think I want to go the ultra simple way since I don't live bait fish too much. Have you found a particular aerator that you like?

Not really, all the ones I've seen, if you bang them, the diaphram pops off the chamber and it stops pumping.  The one I have is the round one from wal-mart.  Works fine.  Since they diaphram comes off alot, and they may run out of batteries or whatnot, it's a good idea to have a spare on hand.

I'd suggest cutting an overflow in the side of the bucket and using a cup (I always have a red plastic kegger cup to bail anyway) to put in fresh water on occasion and the old water will come out the overflow.

If you keep the bait in a cooler with aerator, it'll stay alive about as well as with a bait pump - as long as there aren't dead fish in it.  The main killers of anchovies are heat and low oxygen.

I've used an aerator in the past and I've found that they do a good job with the shiners... shiners are bulletproof.  But anchovies and sardines last only an hour or two in a 3-gallon bucket.  

If you get a half scoop of anchovies in a 3-gal bucket with aerator, about 90% of them die quite quickly, and only a few of them will be sustained by a bubbler for a couple hours.  That's my experience anyway.  Hence the bait tank.

Erik

I use a cheap $8 Bubble Box, but the sound can drive you nuts after awhile.  I wish I bought the Quiet Bubbles model for $19.  Both models will run nearly 3 days on 2 D cell batteries.

How do you make those home made wire fittings? I must have missed that previous post.

Gonna get ready for Halibut off BP and a live bait tank would sure be nice.

The trick is to split half a scoop with half a dozen guys ASAP.  You'll only need a dozen or so for a days fishing.

I've resorted to buying the wire seals from West marine.  They're expensive little buggers... but much easier than making them from PVC fittings.


http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=184&subdeptNum=124&storeNum=9&productId=14715


http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=184&subdeptNum=124&storeNum=9&productId=14714

Erik:

Great minds think alike!  As to aerators I have tried them all at my "day job" and they all suck a$$.  We have switched to yak style bait tanks and the fishies are much happier and they are much quieter too.