Any baitwell ideas?

[snal]

Thoughts of striper fishing over the next couple of months has become very appealing, and I typically drift or anchor out, but I have no baitwell on the 22 Angler.
Any creative ideas out there?
Not too big, but not too small, and I'm thinking about possibly making a bracket to attach a pump onto the transom (mounted to the existing transducer board) and a flex hose to the tank, haven't figured out the overflow line yet.

[Sea Wolf]

snal-

My 1987 Cruiser has a baitwell built into the port lazarette locker.

I'm sure the locker was designed for it, as it is all sealed properly, etc.

I don't know if the original owner installed the plumbing, or if it was a factory option at the time.

The well works well with small baitfish, but is not large enough for anchovies and sardines or any other fish that have to have a light above to simulate the sun and be circular in shape for the fish to swim in schooled circular patterns.

Mine has (starting at the bottom intake, hoses omitted):

1. A through hull near the center of the transom and below the waterline (works at rest to intake water, but must be sealed off by the valve under the tank underway when planning).

2. A Bait Well Pump to supply the well.

3. A valve underneath and through the bottom of the tank to serve as an inlet and to shut off the water supply so the tank won't drain when the pump is off. (Can be opened to do so when desired to help drain tank.) Valve is near the front of the tank for easy access.

4. A backup overflow through hull fitting near the rear and outside of the tank.

5. A through hull fitting at the bottom of the tank and another through the hull at the side to allow water to drain out the tank at the desired level. The level is controlled by a PVC pile tapered and inserted into the through hull; its length determines the water level. Remove the tube to drain the tank.

6. An electric switch on the inside face of the motor well next to the well controls the Baitwell Input Pump.

I don't have a separate aerator, relying on fresh water circulation, but one might be desirable, depending on your conditions.

You can probably do this for about $100-150, depending on where you buy the materials. A nice day's work, roughly!

There are ready-made tanks available, of course, but they take up floor space, although you might not have a choice if you need a big circular tank. Probably would be pretty akward on the swimstep!?!


Hope this helps!


Joe.

[starcrafttom]

if its a once in the while thing there are several ways to go. turn a bucket or a ice box into a live well with a small air pump. or buy larger removeable live well. if you are in sac try fisherman ware house. they had them when i was there last.

[snal]

I have the same lazarette, but a hole was made in the bottom to feed wiring to the second battery stored there. I suppose I could patch the hole, but I'm afraid that the shape would not be good for shad or herring.
I had a portable well in mind, but didn't want to have to lift it to dump the water.
Maybe I can rig a 10 gallon baitwell up to pump the water out.
Thanks for the replies!

[Bearbait]

If you want a portable tank just have the intake and outlet hoses removeable so you can put the intake hose into the tank to suck it dry.