NEWBEE - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JOHNA. · 08-26-2008, 11:29 AM

Hello, Im fairly new to yak fishing and I'm becoming board of catching bait fish. It's time to venture out.
What is better to keep live bait alive. A total bait tank and pump. Or are Tube's a better easier opption.

Thanx.

esdees · 08-26-2008, 11:46 AM

Tubes are cheap, but they limit how much bait you can hold and how fast you can move them around. If you go more than slow troll speed for too long, they will die in the tube. That being said, I used one for a couple years and still use one every once in a while.

dorado50 · 08-26-2008, 11:55 AM

Bait tank, why drag around resistence?

JOHNA. · 08-26-2008, 12:07 PM

Does [the battery(6v) only the pump running of it], last very long. Sorry so many questions, but I really want to get my yak outfitted correctly. Thanx

Sherm · 08-26-2008, 01:47 PM

Get your pump set up to cycle on and off. Saves battery life. Or do like I do and just flip the switch every once in a while to give them some fresh water.

forefrazier · 08-26-2008, 02:11 PM

Johna:

Not to thread jack but I have had an issue recently that might help you decide on your bait setup. When using sardines I have a 3.5gal. bucket running off a 12v batt and 500gph bilge pump with timer. No matter what I do the 'dines seem to start dying within an hour or so. I can adjust the delay on my timer and more less doesn't seem to help much. I have recently been thinking a 6v battery left on with no timer might work out better (Thoughts anyone?)

When at La Jolla, I often just use a 2' bait tube as greenbacks and spanish macs are pretty hearty and I don't think one bait has every died on me when I have been out for hours. Bait tube is definitely a good way to experience things for yourself without dumping a load of cash on the latest bait tank.

JOHNA. · 08-26-2008, 02:29 PM

yeah, i guess experiencing things for your self is a good way to learn. I'll try the bait tube and see what happens. thanks

Billy V · 08-26-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNA.

Does [the battery(6v) only the pump running of it], last very long. Sorry so many questions, but I really want to get my yak outfitted correctly. Thanx

My 6 Volt 12 Amp Battery runs my Thresher Tank all day and more without a problem. It is also much quieter than when I use the 12 Volt Battery.
-Half the water flow 250 GPH verses 500 GPH, but its plenty to keep everybody alive.

The 12 Volt 7.5 Amp Battery will last all day as well.
-----------------------
Black 4" ABS Pipe from Home Depot with a screen glued on one end, and a screw cap glued on the other will work well and get you started for cheap money.
Add a few feet of rope and you're done.

Dean Machine · 08-26-2008, 08:31 PM

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!!

yakrider · 08-26-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy V

My 6 Volt 12 Amp Battery runs my Thresher Tank all day and more without a problem. It is also much quieter than when I use the 12 Volt Battery.
-Half the water flow 250 GPH verses 500 GPH, but its plenty to keep everybody alive.

The 12 Volt 7.5 Amp Battery will last all day as well.

I agree with the 6v 12 amp battery for the thesher tank...
lasts all day...much quieter...bait lives long time...
and it is lighter than the 12 v 7 amp...
been on 12 hours staight and still going strong...

I started with the 12v 7 amp battery and it would only last about 5 or 6 hours in the same tank...

that is my experience...

08-26-2008, 11:29 AM	#1
JOHNA. freshmeat Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 15	NEWBEE Hello, Im fairly new to yak fishing and I'm becoming board of catching bait fish. It's time to venture out. What is better to keep live bait alive. A total bait tank and pump. Or are Tube's a better easier opption. Thanx.

08-26-2008, 08:31 PM	#9
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	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!! __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

08-26-2008, 11:46 AM	#2
esdees The Good Clone Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clairemont Posts: 520	Tubes are cheap, but they limit how much bait you can hold and how fast you can move them around. If you go more than slow troll speed for too long, they will die in the tube. That being said, I used one for a couple years and still use one every once in a while.

08-26-2008, 11:55 AM	#3
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Bait tank, why drag around resistence?

08-26-2008, 12:07 PM	#4
JOHNA. freshmeat Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 15	Does [the battery(6v) only the pump running of it], last very long. Sorry so many questions, but I really want to get my yak outfitted correctly. Thanx

08-26-2008, 01:47 PM	#5
Sherm Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 490	Get your pump set up to cycle on and off. Saves battery life. Or do like I do and just flip the switch every once in a while to give them some fresh water.

08-26-2008, 02:11 PM	#6
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	Johna: Not to thread jack but I have had an issue recently that might help you decide on your bait setup. When using sardines I have a 3.5gal. bucket running off a 12v batt and 500gph bilge pump with timer. No matter what I do the 'dines seem to start dying within an hour or so. I can adjust the delay on my timer and more less doesn't seem to help much. I have recently been thinking a 6v battery left on with no timer might work out better (Thoughts anyone?) When at La Jolla, I often just use a 2' bait tube as greenbacks and spanish macs are pretty hearty and I don't think one bait has every died on me when I have been out for hours. Bait tube is definitely a good way to experience things for yourself without dumping a load of cash on the latest bait tank.

08-26-2008, 02:29 PM	#7
JOHNA. freshmeat Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 15	yeah, i guess experiencing things for your self is a good way to learn. I'll try the bait tube and see what happens. thanks