[Dean Machine]

Bait tubes are definitely cheaper and easier as far as setting up goes. The drag created by a bait tube Vs. a bait tank full of water is not much different. I would even guess that it might even be less work paddling with a bait tube. It is a little tricky if you have a screw cap on the end of your pvc bait tube and you need to get the lively bait into the tube. Unscrew the cap, grab the bait while holding the tube. guide the frenzied bait into tube,re cap th tube,repeat......you get the idea. It does beat frantically chasing that last piece of bait in the bait bucket in circles while a boil of yellowtail are sinking out of sight. I personally started out with a bait tube since it was easy and cheap and also never had bait die in the tube (spanish and greenbacks). They do get a bit distressed though. Make sure if you use a tube put them in so that when you paddle their heads face forward otherwise they will die. Also make sure to make some holes in the leading and trailing part of the tube to allow a good flow of water while you paddle. Oh, one more thing, if you use a screwcap don't put it on very tight because you will never get it off without a pair of channel lock pliers and don't get any sand in the threads or you'll need channel locks for that too!! Good luck!!