BAIT TUBE

[reefer]

I was planning of making a bait tube, type that would hang over the side of my kayak. i was wondering if any of you guy use this style of holder, and what tip would you guys have. Some people say, keep solid caps on the end, it should help from having the bait push around inside the tube, as a result injury the bait. Others show strainer caps to allow water to pass through. Any tip or adive on what is the best way to go about this. Another reason why i plan to do this. I have never been to the kelp bed in my kayak. So i plan not to take my bait tank, reducing weight on kayak.

[JohnnyCope]

Have you tried to us a small bait hotel?

[Regor]

Never used one, but have read plenty of posts of folks making them.

You may get some replies, but just incase, here's a great old thread, and a real "KISS" tube pic

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/a...php/t-977.html


http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/f...2/DSCI0001.JPG

[Chuck D]

I have used one for years and I love it! Mine is just a 1 foot black 1" PVC pipe with caps on the ends. For the caps I drilled multiple holes in each side of the cap. Then I ran a line through each end and one cap hole on each side and attach both ends to each other. When I kayak with it i have a carabener in the front and middle of the kayak so it stays on the side and ensures water flow as the kayak moves. I can store about 5 macks at a time, any more they die. The only drawback to these little wonders is drag when the current is ripping and bait capacity. What I have found is that I end up using the sabiki more often to get fresh bait, however the fresher the bait the more likely you'll get hit so I don't mind. Great tool to have. Hope this helps!

[reefer]

Originally Posted by Chuck D

I have used one for years and I love it! Mine is just a 1 foot black 1" PVC pipe with caps on the ends. For the caps I drilled multiple holes in each side of the cap. Then I ran a line through each end and one cap hole on each side and attach both ends to each other. When I kayak with it i have a carabener in the front and middle of the kayak so it stays on the side and ensures water flow as the kayak moves. I can store about 5 macks at a time, any more they die. The only drawback to these little wonders is drag when the current is ripping and bait capacity. What I have found is that I end up using the sabiki more often to get fresh bait, however the fresher the bait the more likely you'll get hit so I don't mind. Great tool to have. Hope this helps!

I been reading in some site, about using 4" ABS pipe, 1" to 4" big jump. My only worry is the mix size of bait fish, then with a 1" you are limited on what size to hold.

[reefer]

http://photobucket.com/images/bait%20tube/

i found more images about bait tube

[Chuck D]

Originally Posted by reefer

I been reading in some site, about using 4" ABS pipe, 1" to 4" big jump. My only worry is the mix size of bait fish, then with a 1" you are limited on what size to hold.

My Bad, I mean a 2" by 2' piece of PVC. This can hold 95% of the bait you will catch out there. It is rare I get bait that wont fit. They sell these portioned out section of PVC at Home Depot for a couple bucks. Heres a couple pics.

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by reefer

I was planning of making a bait tube, type that would hang over the side of my kayak. i was wondering if any of you guy use this style of holder, and what tip would you guys have.

I use them when I'm hiking or carting in to a remote spot and don't want to carry the weight of a tank, or the weight of an extra battery for a tank.

I've made several in the past, but you're in luck because I just made a new one the other night.

For me the design constraints I want are something that is low drag so I don't mind pulling it, low weight, that opens and closes quickly, that is secure, that sits right in the water, and that keeps alive bait alive really well.

This tube is 3 inches in diameter, has half inch vinyl coated mesh at each end, is made with thin walled pvc and has a small diameter bungie setup to keep the cap closed. it's weighted to stay down in the water, and the tow line runs through the cap so if you loose the bungies or break them you wont loose the cap.

Here's some pics I took for you:








I also loaded up a vid which pretty much explains it.



So here's the deal. The mesh is too large for really small dines or chovies, but you do want to use those anyway in a 3 inch tube. Basically you want the bait to be longer then the tube diameter or it will be able to turn around. You want all the bait in the tube swimming the same direction essentually the same direction your going to be pulling the tube. So in that tube you put a 3 inch plus bait in tail first, then it swims forward either making it's own flow if you are not moving or with you if your paddling forward, swimming into the flow. Basically this tube works great for most baits we make with a sabiki I.E. great for Four to eight inch mackerel or large Sardines.

Bait tubes are a great simple way to keep bait, and easy to make.

Hope that helps. Good luck!!

Jim