Livewell for bass tournaments

Sin Coast asked about my livewell setup that I use in the bass tournaments that Ive been fishing here in NorCal.

I have a 52qt cooler with two bubbler boxes on the front to help with aeration.  There is also a 500 gal/hr bilge pump hooked to a piece of PVC on the inside of the cooler that fills the cooler while aerating the water.  I carry a small motorcycle battery to power the bilge pump and the bubbler boxes run off their own "D" cell batteries.  When I catch a fish I put a culling clip on him and stick him in the well.  Then simply set the pump overboard and clip the alligator clamp to the battery.  Once I have enough water in the well I turn the pump off and power on the bubbler boxes.  During long days of fishing I can change out the water by simply leaving the bilge pump on and letting the over flow tubes on the front do their job.  They are routed to the scupper holes so that anything else in my rear tank well stays dry.

It has worked great so far.  I've kept 18lbs of bass alive all day in the well with no issues.  In hot weather I add ice periodically and always use Rejuvenade additive!

That would sink my Tarpon. My Ride could handle it, but would be really slow.

I'd tatoo it "Bass Hotel" or something.  Killer rig for a bigger boat!

That is slick! It looks great. Thanks for the pics!

That would sink my Tarpon. My Ride could handle it, but would be really slow.

I'm pretty sure my PA could handle it just fine 

Really nice setup!

Ronnokk, it works great in my Pro Angler 14.  This boat may not be good for surf launching but is sure excels in plenty of other areas.  Weight carrying ability is definitely one of them!!! With a 600lb capacity I can easily manage me (240lbs), my oldest son (110lbs), and all of our gear.  I haven't had him and the livewell full on the boat but I wouldn't think it would be an issue in flat water.  When he goes with me we just do catch and release.  He's usually sitting on a milk crate with a stadium seat on top!

Nice set up for tournaments!! The 14' PA must be a little wider then the 12' because I don't think I could fit a cooler that way in my PA 12'. Don't some of the kayak tournaments just have length you capture by pictures (I've never tournament fished is why I ask)?

Back on the East Coast all of our tournaments were CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) events for bass fishing.  Here I guess they like to have live fish at the weigh ins for picture purposes.

I'm still seriously considering putting together a bass tournament series for this next year.  It would be CPR format with a three fish limit to simplify the judging at the end.  I'm thinking Clear Lake, Lake Sonoma, Lake Berryessa, and the Delta for tourney locations.  The only thing would be making sure that there was a standard measuring device used.  It would probably be the Hawg Trough since that's what I'm used to and it the standard measuring device for the Kayak Bass Fishing online tournaments.

Being an Ex bass boat owner and tourney fisherman (pre kids) count me in.

I would be up for some bass only tourneys

The more I have talked about putting together a bass fishing tournament series the more interest that seems to pop up.  I'll definitely keep everyone in the loop with information through NCKA as well as there will be postings at whatever local tackle shops and outdoor retailers that will allow it. 

It may start out as a "Money Between Friends" setup to avoid having to pull permits through Calfornia DFG but I would like to see it grow into a true tournament series as is being done all over the country.  I know many clubs back on the East coast have series events and KayakBassFishing.com has online monthly events but it seems like there is a lack of organized events for kayakers here on the West Coast.  I'm going to see what I can do to change that!!

Stay Tuned!!

Back on the East Coast all of our tournaments were CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) events for bass fishing.  Here I guess they like to have live fish at the weigh ins for picture purposes.

I'm still seriously considering putting together a bass tournament series for this next year.  It would be CPR format with a three fish limit to simplify the judging at the end.  I'm thinking Clear Lake, Lake Sonoma, Lake Berryessa, and the Delta for tourney locations.  The only thing would be making sure that there was a standard measuring device used.  It would probably be the Hawg Trough since that's what I'm used to and it the standard measuring device for the Kayak Bass Fishing online tournaments.

I think that (this is from me a person who has never fished a tournament) the CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) is/should be the way to go. Not everyone would have a kayak able to carry a livewell. Also if you have a tournament in the spring and bass are on the bed or just about ready to spawn it would be less stressful for the fish. I had people say they saw good size bass (talking about ~7 lbs) floating dead at the weigh in site. Anyway when I watch on TV and see the tournaments I just liked the CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) as more fish friendly since I like releasing fish a stress free as possible.