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Post by darian on Dec 21, 2015 7:15:36 GMT -5
Dang. that's too much work with the 20ft sucker hose.
I'll just stick to an aerator and add ice if needed.
Was thinking about oxygen tank, but that seems really expensive.
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Post by myoung on Dec 21, 2015 8:31:47 GMT -5
Dang. that's too much work with the 20ft sucker hose. I'll just stick to an aerator and add ice if needed. Was thinking about oxygen tank, but that seems really expensive. X2 on the oxygen set up. I might step up to it once i feel like it's needed Out of curiosity, where are y'all getting the air tanks/ regulators at? |
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Post by redbeard on Dec 21, 2015 11:07:40 GMT -5
Guys, the aerator system that I described in an earlier post served me well for years before getting the O2 system. I used 2 Frabil aerators and most importantly, the flat microbubble air stones. The O2 system is great, but not necessary to keep good lively baits. If you do finally switch over to the O2 system, it does has its advantages. Baits kept in oxygenated water act like they are supercharged and do not get stressed like those kept in an aerated bucket do after a while. So, don't rule it out, but you will be fine with what you have, just watch the water temp in warm weather and don't overcrowd them. In the mean time, do what I did and talk to Mrs. Santa and convince her of what a nice Christmas present an O2 system would make!!! If you do decide to get an O2 system, Hammonds has everything you need and you can refill you bottle for $8.00, unless the price has gone up since last spring. They sell everything you need in a kit for around $200.00. One advantage with the O2 set up is that you can run a long time on a bottle of oxygen, you only have to turn it on to the lowest setting to aerate a Frabil bucket or even one of the dogfood containers. Kind of a pricey investment to start with, but well worth it once you have it. Redbeard  |
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 11:25:17 GMT -5
For $21 I picked up this smaller version of the Vittle Container. I am going to build version 2.0 now. LOL The 40lb container is BIG, and it really raises my center of gravity, so I thought I would work on this. I also purchased 25' of aquarium air line so that I can place my oxygen tank below decks somewhere and run the air line anywhere I want to distribute the overall weight of running with a live bait tank. I have a dry storage hatch at the bow that the oxygen tank will fit into nicely, and would become a counter-balance to the water weight behind my seat. With the screw-off lid directly on top, I may not have to turn-around 180 degrees to reach with my dip net. Instead, reaching part way around, I can have more of a side-access. I will add four pad eyes, two handles, and a cooler drain kit to this new box and mount it on my yak without the crate. Removing weight, and lowering my center of gravity are my two main goals. This new container will hold less water but keep it lower on my yak. With oxygen flowing into my water, I don't think the baitfish will mind having less water to swim in. Pictures to follow as this comes together this week.  |
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 11:42:52 GMT -5
Dang. that's too much work with the 20ft sucker hose. I'll just stick to an aerator and add ice if needed. Was thinking about oxygen tank, but that seems really expensive. X2 on the oxygen set up. I might step up to it once i feel like it's needed Out of curiosity, where are y'all getting the air tanks/ regulators at? The O2 systems are being sold over the counter at Oakwood's Bait and Tackle for $199. This gets you a filled oxygen tank, regulator, air hose, and a 4" diameter flat stone to bubble though. Refills for the tanks are $8 at OBT or Hammonds. My "Tank" buddies say that the tanks will last a couple of months of weekly use. So once you get set up, it will be cheap to maintain. There is a built-in fuel gauge to the regulator, so you can keep your eye on oxygen remaining. |
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Post by coyfish on Dec 21, 2015 11:46:09 GMT -5
One of my worries was having the water flow to one side and help finish tipping me over if I shift weight wrong. You can't put baffles in a bait tank but certainly should help locating more weight lower.
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Post by klag on Dec 21, 2015 13:28:56 GMT -5
One of my worries was having the water flow to one side and help finish tipping me over if I shift weight wrong. You can't put baffles in a bait tank but certainly should help locating more weight lower. You should probably just upgrade your kayak to a more stable one for your size. Next time we bump into each other at the ramp, you should give mine a paddle so you can see the complete other end of the spectrum - extreme stability, slow paddle. Not that you'd get a sit inside kayak like mine, but just so you can experience and see if you like the more stable/slower kayaks. |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 21, 2015 14:45:15 GMT -5
Dang. that's too much work with the 20ft sucker hose. I'll just stick to an aerator and add ice if needed. Was thinking about oxygen tank, but that seems really expensive. darian: It did seem like a PITA, but he had his hose rolled up, held in his rear hold, and it would unroll on it's own (a small weight attached to the end) and really, it took him less than 10 seconds to deploy or to retrieve it. Since we were fishing during the heat in August, we were ALWAYS in deep water, 80-130 feet. His bait always did very well. O2, as previously stated, will run you 200.00, I got mine at Oakwood Bait right after they opened up and they matched Hammond's prices at the time. TO make it last 'longer' you always run it on the absolute slowest, or lowest, setting of your regulating valve/gauge. Easy peasy. And as Redbeard (and I) have said before, oxygenating your bait turns them into supercharged little "terminators". They are happy and last a LOT longer. One reminder on ice...make sure it is 'pure' water.... if you use tap water or treated water, the chemicals/chlorine/etc will eventually kill your bait. I always added a half cup of rock salt to my 4 gallons of water too..... plus Foam Off. See what a PITA and expensive fishing with live bait can cost? Plus, you are adding over 40 pounds of weight to your kayak too with all the extras. (Water weighs 8.345 pounds per gallon). Cheers! p_rod |
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Post by darian on Dec 21, 2015 15:06:19 GMT -5
maybe i can buy an empty O2 tank on craigslist and just refill that..  |
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Post by redbeard on Dec 21, 2015 15:30:35 GMT -5
Dang, Pat, with adding 40 lbs. extra weight along with all the fish I am going to catch using live bait if I get to fulfill my New Year resolution to do more fishing, I am going to be at least 400 lbs. over capacity for my yak!!!! Redbeard  |
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 16:35:37 GMT -5
maybe i can buy an empty O2 tank on craigslist and just refill that.. Fake a respatory illness and get a bottle on prescription. |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 21, 2015 16:41:26 GMT -5
Dang, Pat, with adding 40 lbs. extra weight along with all the fish I am going to catch using live bait if I get to fulfill my New Year resolution to do more fishing, I am going to be at least 400 lbs. over capacity for my yak!!!! Redbeard Well, dang, Ricky....you'd better get your behind up to The Outside World and I am pretty sure we can fit you into a boat with WAY more capacity than that 400 pounds!!!! I think our PA 17's will do 900!  I do wish for one thing, though..... that you get your behind OUT more and let's just go fishing! We had some great times on the water....it's time to resume that! Don't let work totally consume you. I've BTDT, got the scars and an occasional T-shirt to prove it too! Cheers! ....and a very Merry Christmas to you, Ricky!!!!!  |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 21, 2015 16:46:03 GMT -5
maybe i can buy an empty O2 tank on craigslist and just refill that.. Good luck finding the right size, darian. Most O2 tanks, for general use out there, are heavy AND huge. If you feel you need it, just bite the bullet and get the one made for this application. But if I were you, trying to do things economically,(and man, I TOTALLY understand that) I'd just get a decently rigged up live bait tank first, a GOOD aerator that doesn't need 2 'D' batteries EVERY TIME you go out, Foam Off, some rock salt, and you should be good to go until at least mid May when it gets HOT again! That's when you really need the O2. Cheers! p_rod |
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Post by coyfish on Dec 21, 2015 18:08:53 GMT -5
One of my worries was having the water flow to one side and help finish tipping me over if I shift weight wrong. You can't put baffles in a bait tank but certainly should help locating more weight lower. You should probably just upgrade your kayak to a more stable one for your size. Next time we bump into each other at the ramp, you should give mine a paddle so you can see the complete other end of the spectrum - extreme stability, slow paddle. Not that you'd get a sit inside kayak like mine, but just so you can experience and see if you like the more stable/slower kayaks. I definitely agree that I should upgrade to one better suited to my size. Of course, there are a couple of problems to overcome first. That college boy I pictured yesterday has four more years to go and Tech is darn expensive. Selling the finance office at home on the idea of adding a 3rd boat to the fleet is also going to be a tough job. I am figuring I will upgrade, but probably 2 years out. In the meantime, I need to try to reduce my size some so I can add more neat things to my boat. |
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 18:34:15 GMT -5
Well, I hope folks aren't sick and tired of this thread. Here's my progress with Bait Tank version 2.0. Turns out that the handles alone will suffice for holding the tank to the kayak, so I don't need to add pad eyes. I am still noodling over my oxygen tank installation, but I can create a cradle for it and stick it up in the front hatch and then run tubing inside the hull and have it come out back by the bait tank. I like the idea of spreading the extra weight out. This new container is much smaller than my version 1.0, and it is lower profile. I bet it can still hold three gallons of water. Bubbling oxygen into the water, I am not concerned about the lesser amount of water for the fishes. I want to install the cooler-drain kit that I have ordered and received. I have reduced a lot of weight from version 1.0, I have lowered the overall center of gravity, I think I can dip-net easier too. More pictures to come once I get the oxygen tank fitted, air line routed, and the drain kit installed on the container.  |
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Post by coyfish on Dec 21, 2015 18:58:12 GMT -5
I am definitely still interested in this thread. If that is the same size as one I saw on Amazon, it should hold about 5 gallons (12 x 12 x 8) but not sure if you can go full 8 deep. I noticed claim that it is airtight with seals on lid, but was thinking you need some type of relief to pump in O2. I will be interested in how this one performs for you. Since I have never worked through a dozen unless some died, I am not sure I need much bigger than this one.
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Post by atlroach on Dec 21, 2015 19:05:28 GMT -5
Paul I'm surprised that you feel top heavy with the Cuda. I feel super stable in my 14 with the larger well, plus I like it for running shad in my Coosa.
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Post by myoung on Dec 21, 2015 19:10:28 GMT -5
You should probably just upgrade your kayak to a more stable one for your size. Next time we bump into each other at the ramp, you should give mine a paddle so you can see the complete other end of the spectrum - extreme stability, slow paddle. Not that you'd get a sit inside kayak like mine, but just so you can experience and see if you like the more stable/slower kayaks. I definitely agree that I should upgrade to one better suited to my size. Of course, there are a couple of problems to overcome first. That college boy I pictured yesterday has four more years to go and Tech is darn expensive. Selling the finance office at home on the idea of adding a 3rd boat to the fleet is also going to be a tough job. I am figuring I will upgrade, but probably 2 years out. In the meantime, I need to try to reduce my size some so I can add more neat things to my boat. Why not retro fit the hobie pontoons to your Pescador to make it more stable? |
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 19:10:52 GMT -5
I can drill some holes in the lid for vents, and I plan to add "fill lines" with a sharpie so the bait boys don't over-fill me. I also plan to insulate wrap the tank, but I'm looking around for good stuff. I may buy those pink insulation sheets from Home Depot or Lowes and finish with gorilla tape.
I will be quite happy with 3 gallons of oxygen enriched water, so I have to see what level that is. I will measure-pour to see.
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Post by paulv on Dec 21, 2015 19:30:29 GMT -5
Paul I'm surprised that you feel top heavy with the Cuda. I feel super stable in my 14 with the larger well, plus I like it for running shad in my Coosa. I hear ya atiroach. I have turtled once when I was knocked-over by another kayak on the Chestatee River, but otherwise I have always felt pretty stable on my 12' Cuda. I am erring on the side of safety. I intend to fish all winter and I don't want any mishaps. I did scare myself a few times- once pulling-up a thirty pound Bull Redfish onto my lap. The fish wiggled and I overreached. Being about a mile offshore with the tide running, all I could picture was trying to swim after my kayak while holding onto my prize fish. LOL My lack of grace when reaching 180 degrees behind me has had a few "tilts" I didn't like. All it takes is a little wave action (like I got into on a windy day last Friday) and I really didn't like the uneasy feeling of reaching with a dip net into a bait tank behind my seat. Pictured here is my second (and successful) attempt to pull that fish aboard. I kept myself centered and pulled the fish to me.  |
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Post by parnine on Dec 22, 2015 7:44:27 GMT -5
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Post by parnine on Dec 22, 2015 7:48:50 GMT -5
Brainfart, ignore I see you got one - thought I was at the end of the thread  |
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Post by darian on Dec 22, 2015 7:52:29 GMT -5
yep.. ordered it mines on amazon!
Hope it comes before xmas.
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Post by myoung on Dec 22, 2015 8:24:08 GMT -5
yep.. ordered it mines on amazon! Hope it comes before xmas. Mine will be  |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 22, 2015 9:41:47 GMT -5
[/quote]I definitely agree that I should upgrade to one better suited to my size. Of course, there are a couple of problems to overcome first. That college boy I pictured yesterday has four more years to go and Tech is darn expensive. Selling the finance office at home on the idea of adding a 3rd boat to the fleet is also going to be a tough job. I am figuring I will upgrade, but probably 2 years out. In the meantime, I need to try to reduce my size some so I can add more neat things to my boat.[/quote] coyfish....... If I were Santa Clause, I would bring you one of two of the big-man boats sold up at TOW. You'd either find an Old Town Predator or a Jackson Big Rig under your tree this year. Or maybe even a Coosa HD....which is thought to just be strictly a river-running boat but is proving out to be quite a nice flat water boat too. Even though your Pescador 12 is a nice boat, I think you may eventually need something a little bigger/wider, with a high/low seat. I am not picking on you at all...until I personally met you last week, I had no idea that you are big enough to scare the crap out of most NFL linemen! I mean that with all respect! I also understand having a son at Tech must be a financial drain, for sure. Until you could spring for a boat more suited for you, I can offer this. You told me you are 'nervous' about swinging sideways on your boat in order to gain access to your bait/supplies stored behind you. I totally understand. I used to feel the same way early-on in my kayaking 'career' when I used to use bait in my Ultimate 12. But I got tired of reaching behind me, pulling out an either an empty bait net time after time or one with 4 herring in it! I then went to shallow waters, practiced swinging my legs over the side while keeping my 'core' in the middle or just off to the opposite side I was turning to...and only after a few tries, I became much more comfortable in doing that. After mastering that, I was able to reach all sorts of stuff stored behind me with little to no effort or strained muscles while trying to conform myself into uncomfortable positions. Plus, especially on hot days, it's just nice to swing your legs over the side to cool off....and yes, I have reeled in green fish and even a few stripers while sitting sideways in my boat. I know the waters are a lot chillier out there now, just under 60 degrees. But I'd suggest that you try this several times with the boat unloaded and just off a ramp in a foot of water or less. This way, if you do lose it, you could just easily stand up, grab your boat, and try it again. If you don't want to try it on the lake, all it would take is a call to The Outside World and ask them if you could try it in their pool, which has just been recently emptied, cleaned and acid washed and refilled with fresh water. It is cold, however, but if you stayed in the shallow end, it wouldn't go much higher than your waist if you go in. But I don't think you will. You just have to take your time, keeping your weight pretty much centered in the boat and after gaining the confidence that you CAN do this, time after time, I think you find it more of a 'mind thing' than anything else. Just let me know if I can be of any help with this. I'd be glad to come out to Lanier and 'spot' you if you want to give it a go! Cheers! p_rod |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 22, 2015 9:51:08 GMT -5
Paul said: (some good stuff snipped too): My lack of grace when reaching 180 degrees behind me has had a few "tilts" I didn't like. All it takes is a little wave action (like I got into on a windy day last Friday) and I really didn't like the uneasy feeling of reaching with a dip net into a bait tank behind my seat. One question for you, Paul. Were you using your seat in the higher position? Having my first high/low seat, I do find myself a little 'uneasier' swinging sideways in rough waters when the seat is up in the high position. When it is just about 3 inches lower, though, it is a totally different thing.... I feel absolutely 'planted' when sitting sideways and no uneasy feelings at all, even in windy/whitecap conditions. It's funny what just a 3 inch shift in your weight over the hull, up or down, will do to your overall stability. Amazing. And congrats on several great bait tank posts too...I'll be watching your new tank come along! Cheers! Pat |
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Post by myoung on Dec 22, 2015 10:17:02 GMT -5
What does oakwood bait and tackle sell as far as parts go for these bait tanks?
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Post by klag on Dec 22, 2015 10:35:29 GMT -5
If you guys are buying full petfood containers and don't have the pets to eat the food, consider donating it to the local animal shelters instead of throwing it away |
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Post by p_rod on Dec 22, 2015 10:41:17 GMT -5
What does oakwood bait and tackle sell as far as parts go for these bait tanks? From what I have seen from a lot of bait tank photos and videos, you'd be better off making a list of what you NEED, then most of it would be from Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware (and even Wal-Mart or West Marine for onboard pumps). I haven't noticed too much 'stuff' at Oakwood Bait for building tanks but I am not looking for that kind of stuff there anyway. ;-) |
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Post by paulv on Dec 22, 2015 11:48:45 GMT -5
Oakwood only has the Oxygen system for sale. Their offering does not include a bait tank. DIY is the way to go. From the places Pat mentions, also Petsmart. I am buying stuff now from the aquarium isle at PetSmart (silicone tubing, check valves, Y-valves, a couple of different air stones (for experimenting).
Before bed last night, I got my oxygen tank mounted inside my front dry storage hatch of my Cuda. I ended up "cradling" my O2 tank in a doggie life preserver and then used plastic foam pieces to wedge a frame, of sorts, to hold everything in place up there. I fished a length of silicone tubing from the tank to back of my yak, and came up and out of a new drilled 1/4" hole.
I stopped for pieces/parts at PetSmart today, wanting to experiment with different diffusers, also adding a check valve, and maybe one of those in-line valves. I won't get to mess with it until tonight, but I will take pics of how I end up.
Cheers!!
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