External Bait Tanks?

Master Baiter · 03-04-2003, 03:02 PM

I have been doing research on external bait tanks. Seem the common ones are the fancy round/oval plastic containers and the rubbermaid types. Any in's/out's comparing these?

The cost for either fully functional seems to be about $200-250. I was looking over the Kodiak KW-1 instructions and am thinking of making one using a white rubbermaid can about 20-32 gallons. I have found the containers for about $25 and was looking at using a transom mounted pump like the ones at Aqua World (300-500 GPM) a washdown house with a direction valve (Y-valve) on the intake to the tank. The pumps are about $80.

So now I am trying to come up with a good way to mount it to my swim deck? I cannot locate just a locking base without the wheel and they are about $30 with the wheel. Has anyone ever seen just the base? Also does the prefab rubbermaid style tanks have a trap door in the lid or do you remove the lid to get bait? I have seen lids with spring loaded trap doors before at garbage receptacles but I can not find those lids anywhere to buy?

As always, Any other thought would be appreciated!

Thanks in Advance,

Thomas

[ 03-04-2003, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Master Baiter ]

Bstnwaler · 03-04-2003, 03:35 PM

Just my .02 worth but over the last 30 years I've tried every type of "cheap" live bait tanks..garbage cans..metal ice chests..etc...finally broke down and spent about 125$ for a Kodiak Oval Tank..no more clogged overflow drains..very few dead bait...nice mounting bracket that would only leave four small holes in your teak platform...been running it for four years now using chovies and dines and no problems..in fact one of the guys in our group down here said on the Kodiak website there is a place to but seconds..he bought one and it had a few scratches...also just use a cheap bilge pump which if you use long enough wire leads and hose can be used for an emergency boat bilge pump...ANGELA C

Master Baiter · 03-04-2003, 03:44 PM

Mark,

Thanks for the reply! I figured there had to be some gain with those tanks. I would be interested to find out about the seconds if you come up with any information. I need a tank post haste with Halibut upon us but am strapped for cash. If you hear of any used tanks, please let me know.

Thanks,

Thomas

Popeye · 03-04-2003, 07:22 PM

Mark,
I tried to e-mail you and it was returned :whazzup: . I was trying to relay the fact that I grew up in Hayward ,blah, blah, blah.

E-mail me so I can reply. bruce@marlerenterprises.net
Cheers,
Bruce

Pitch Pocket · 03-05-2003, 04:00 PM

I'm curious, why do you need live bait for Halibut?

Master Baiter · 03-05-2003, 07:40 PM

Pitch,

Here in SF Bay, drifting live anchovies is a popular method for the Cali Hali! Trolling is a close second. How do you normally target the Pacifics up north?

MB

Pitch Pocket · 03-05-2003, 08:12 PM

I've only fished halibut in Alaska, but there we used salmon belly and herring on the bottom. Definitely dead bait and backbouncing the bottom anchored in about 300' of water or more. Haven't caught any trolling.

Mark Mc · 03-05-2003, 08:46 PM

Hey MB, two very different species. You've got the California halibut there, which live in shallow water (10 to ~ 80 ft). So of course live bait works great in all those spots (Seal Rocks, North Bar, Crissy Fields, Berkeley flats, etc.) A big CA hali is 40 lbs. Up here it's the Pacific halibut, caught mostly in 400 - 800 ft, sometimes 150 - 200 ft. A barely legal Pacific is ~ 25 lbs; lots of 40 - 60 lbers; a few over 100 "down here" (vs Alaska). Our season is short but the fish are thick at the typical spots. So it's big, dead bait & mojo hooks. We did get a few on light tackle & swim baits one day, but that's the exception.

Mr. Fisherman · 03-06-2003, 12:41 PM

I bought one of these from Cabela's

In addition to a bait tank I also have an emergency bilge pump.

It was an inexpensive solution.

Master Baiter · 03-06-2003, 12:57 PM

Mr. F,

Yeah, I remeber that from the last time we touched upon this subject. Isn't that a closed system though?

Hey Mark, you know what I am talking about then! Man 800', thats alot of line out!

MB

[ 03-06-2003, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Master Baiter ]

Mr. Fisherman · 03-06-2003, 02:32 PM

Technically it's a closed system but you can use the pump to fill the tank and then to drain it so it is as effective as an open system. If the live bait thing turns out to be the cat's meow I'll consider shelling out for a fixed unit with the bells and whistles. If not I'm out less than $50 and have an additional emergency bilge pump.
Oh, and the pump can be used as a wash down pump too

Master Baiter · 03-06-2003, 03:03 PM

Mr. F,

So the wash down water is the bait tank water? Let me know the mortality results you find with that system.

This is the pump set up I am envisioning:
http://www.kodiakmarine.com/images/transom_pic.gif
Then I will have a continuous cycle of clean water to carry away waste products and keep the bait lively longer and also pull clean seawater to wash with.

MB

Mr. Fisherman · 03-06-2003, 09:23 PM

MB, Your posted link didn't work for me.
No, I would not wash down with the bait tank water, I'd put the pump over and use sea water.
You make a good point about the fresh recycle system, I hadn't thought of that. Like I said, this whole live bait thing is new to me. Thanks for the info :smile: