I just joined MSC this fall. Very busy with work but hope to attend some meetings soon. Love the forum.
I fish year round when I can find time, typically more in the winter.
I currently use my old foam Berry bait tank but have wondered if my built in would work just as good.I have a built in livewell/baittank with separate 20 gal chambers. the bait tank side is rounded.
Like most built ins it takes water directly from the lake and overflows for constant recirculation. I know this won’t allow for salt and bait saver so I wonder if it will work to keep BB’s alive.
Has anyone tried going this route? If it does work, does it work in the summer AND winter? Any tricks?
Lastly, to everyone who has a Ron Vest tank: Are they insulated? Is there a Super Tank I? I’ve only ever seen II’s for sale. If so,what’s the difference?
I just got a new boat and I use the built in live well in my boat, but I do not use the lake water I plug the holes and use a bilge pump with a danco on the end of it. I also have a Ron Vest tank. The live well works ok but I like the bank tank better.
All Ron Vest tanks are insulated to my knowledge. I have a first generation and it is insulated. I have just rigged my boat live well with a Marine Metals air pump and single air stone. I have used it twice with 6 dozen large BB and never lost a single bait. Fellow friend and fisherman James Fogman Linder gave me the idea from this post…
The down side is the tank does not filter but the upside is all I have to do is pull the plug turn on the livewell pump and SHAZAM…tank is cleaned. I have also used a DANCO but I also use my tank to keep stripers alive in the winter months and find the DANCO gets beat up by the fish.
Hope this helps
Richy
“My biggest worry is that my wife (when I’m dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it.”
Welcome to the club!
FWIW. I use the built-in livewell on my War Eagle. It’s metal, uninsulated, unfiltered and has square corners. In other words, it’s everything a bait tank SHOULDN’T be. I use a portable, battery operated aerator and also freshen it up with lake water via the livewell pump every 1/2 hour or so. It works fine for me. However, I’ve never tested it with water temps above 75 degrees. Nor have I ever had more than 2 dozen baits or had them in there for more than 5 hours. The herring will get the bloody nose from digging in the corners and when the water is above 70 the baits get sluggish and I might loose a couple.
You might want to experiment with your built in tank to see if it works for you before you buy a bait tank. You just might save yourself some dough.
Jack, I would suggest going with the 12 volt Maine Metals Power Bubbles air pump. You can add ice throughout the day to keep the water temp. down during the summer. Ice does not retain chlorine. It completely dissipates when water sits for a day out of plumbing. Also, water softener salt is key. 3/4 of a cup per 10 gallons of h2o is the rule. Do these things and clean the live well of any excrement at the end of the day, and you will have no worries.
Thanks for the ■■■■■■■■ fellas. Nothing like real world advice from people who have already tried it! It would be nice to use what I already have to save some money. Plus to save room in the boat and not have to worry with someone pilfering an expensive tank when I’m not around would be a bonus. By the way, Richy, not losing 6 dozen in a livewell is impressive- that gives me confidence this might work.
I’ve seen DANCO mentioned here and previously. I did a forum search and came up empty, so I Googled it. It directed me to faucet parts. Are these being adapted to bilge pumps for aeration?
Just went by yesterday and picked up a venturi from Dan and installed it into my Super Bait Tank rather than using the original spray bar. He actually sells a complete upgrade kit with all hoses, clamps, and pvc joints (w/o pump) that makes the job real easy.
I put a Danco venturi in my built-in livewell in my Polar 2310 Bay Boat. I put a filter in the in-take of the pump, and I have had 10 dozen BB’s in the summer with no problem. If you want to view what I did, or I can send pictures, just send me a note.
I have a built in just like you stated on my Sea Hunt BX 22. I went to walmart and purchased the livewell kit they have by Atwood. Installed in to the side of the tank so I can either use the original setup or turn on the Atwood to have recirculating water for the herring. It works great and keeps bait alive and frisky for hours! Was easy to install and only cost about $35, so also easy on the budget.
