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General Forum => NJ Saltwater Fisherman Customs => Topic started by: Hotrod on October 19, 2008, 10:46:05 AM

Title: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on October 19, 2008, 10:46:05 AM


http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=9188.0[/b]

Portable Bait Well | Homemade Bait Tank

I will be connecting this to my Raw Water Wash down

With the prices of these polypropylene tanks, I couldn't justify the cost based on the amount of time I would need one.  I also wanted one that I can remove or store up front.  We've seen them made out of trash cans. which I was going to do until Capt Joe gave me a 55 gallon drum and explained the benefits of using it.

Here are the steps I took to make it.

I purchased the kit from here. Bait Tank Plumbing  (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/119900/377%20710/0/Kodiak%20Bait%20Tank%20Plumbing%20Kit/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Kodiak%20Bait%20Tank%20Plumbing%20Kit&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Kodiak%20Bait%20Tank%20Plumbing%20Kit&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=19&subdeptNum=14169&classNum=14170)

With a Jig saw, I cut the drum at the top band, this was close to the suggested 2.5 inches above the 35 gallon mark.

I then removed 2.5 inches of the piece I cut off, this is where the drum started to taper.

I inverted the band and placed it into the drum, fastening it with 4 SS screws.
This also creates a baffle for splash.

The kit came with instructions on the best locations for the fittings.

The lid can be used to make the top, but I am getting a 24" inch piece of 1/2 Polypropylene and will be making a top for it. with a SS piano hinged door. There is now a large enough lip to screw the top down.

I will post the complete pictures in a day or 2.

Thanks for the insight Capt Joe.

These drums can be found at Car washes and pool supplies.

Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: IrishAyes on October 19, 2008, 10:57:41 AM
Wow Rod, that looks damn good.

Ummmm, can I have my drum back?  ;D
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: ped579 on October 19, 2008, 11:01:26 AM
Very nice Rod,  This project looks very easy and is well thought out.  It should be easy enough for everyone that has a boat without a bait well to take on.

Thanks for posting... grtn
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Bucktail on October 19, 2008, 02:07:17 PM
Nice!  You're pretty handy for a website designer! ;D
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Pfishingruven on October 19, 2008, 08:44:15 PM
That looks great Rod!  You wouldn't know it was a DIY homemade baitwell.  Looks better than the store bought ones fairly easy to do.  Certainly great way to save money in this day and age ;D!  Thanks.

 TT^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: PeggyLee on October 20, 2008, 07:20:55 PM
Rod, I have some thing very similar and installed a 2'' overflow to discharge over the side.The tank is very portable and is a throw back to years ago 1975- 1980s when things were simple and inexpensive and very funtional.Good luck with it. AJ "Peggy Lee"
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on October 20, 2008, 07:28:18 PM
Yea..  I love the open deck.  and I'd like to have it on board in case I run into bait.  This way I can store it up front and use it when needed t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: CapBob on October 20, 2008, 07:47:15 PM
Nice Rig.....A jack of all trades TT^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on October 20, 2008, 07:50:10 PM
Master of none t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: IrishAyes on October 21, 2008, 09:38:16 AM
I heard the need for the bait tank was because you were a Master at Baiting.  TT^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: PeggyLee on October 21, 2008, 04:51:50 PM
Baiter Master or Vice Versa . rofla
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hunter 2 on October 21, 2008, 05:57:19 PM
Nice JOB!, A boat at my marina has the same setup. It works great! ;)
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: CapBob on October 21, 2008, 06:19:02 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on October 21, 2008, 06:46:09 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Fishin Dude on October 21, 2008, 07:03:56 PM
Nice Job!   t^  <'((((><
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on November 10, 2008, 09:01:11 PM
Finished it off with a 1/2 piece of Polypropylene / a 1/2 Piece of Plexiglas and a SS piano Hinge

All Done!!.  Will be loading it with 3 dozen Spot in the morning t^

A little rough on the cuts.. but she will do the trick.
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: IrishAyes on November 10, 2008, 09:28:20 PM
Looks good.  t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Bucktail on November 10, 2008, 11:15:51 PM
Nice job Rod!  Good luck tomorrow! t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: ped579 on November 10, 2008, 11:20:53 PM
Lookin Good... TT^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: shkbilly on July 13, 2009, 08:07:54 PM
I have no washdown on my boat. Has anyone ever used the ones that you toss a bilge pump over the side? I was thinking of making somethine very similar but I am unsure of how to recirculate it.
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: PeggyLee on July 13, 2009, 08:35:21 PM
Bill, Sometimes I run my wash down pump and have a overflow over the gunnel.Sweet and simple.Good Luck.
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on July 13, 2009, 08:59:10 PM
The 35 Gallon mark I have the over flow set to is perfect..  actually.. when loading up on Bunker.. you happy with 12 fish or so. (well at least I am).

I don't run the wash down pump all the time. and actually I think the fish would be fine if I just dumped a couple gallons of fresh water in there every 10 minutes or so..

This is always an option.. but the tank it self.. The best thing I did for the bass season t^

I'm sure a pump over the side will work fine when not under way.
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: shkbilly on July 13, 2009, 09:04:40 PM
The other option I have is using one of the fishboxes with an overboard drain and just changing the water manually. Do you think I'd be OK with this or should I rig up some sort of livewell for next year?

PeggyLee, I have no washdown pump on the boat.
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on July 13, 2009, 09:21:19 PM
I use the over flow drain. so does Capt Joe.  it just flows out the back t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: PeggyLee on July 13, 2009, 09:26:57 PM
Bill , You have PM.
Also, you can use a portable and change the water as you need,it will keep the bait alive,but you will be very busy. t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: johnesniper on July 16, 2009, 08:38:31 PM
Nice. Thanks for sharing t^
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hotrod on March 16, 2010, 11:29:09 PM
It seems Google has only indexed the print page of this topic.
If you are finding this In Google showing only the print page go Here for the full topic.

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=9188.0
Title: Re: Homemade Bait Well | Live Well
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 16, 2011, 07:35:42 AM
Im making a baitwell this spring. Thanks again for posting yours. TT^