building my very first bait tank need help - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

grey zone · 09-25-2012, 01:05 PM

You should do fine with that set-up. Make sure you have some type of lid because bait will jump out. You pump will draw more amps than your fish finder/GPS so use seperate batteries and having them in sealed containers is very smart. Rather than using a single overflow hose you can just drill 1/4" holes at the level you want your bucket to fill to. What you have done should work fine and if it does not do the job drill more holes. The rod holders which I attached to the bait tank I made out of a file box are good for holding rods that are not in use but too weak to be used while fishing. I also recommend putting a drain plug at the bottom of the tank so when you get back to the beach you can drain the water without removing your tank. I always keep my tank full when going back in because the weight in the stern helps keep the bow up.

tehburninator · 09-25-2012, 02:07 PM

weigh the stern when coming back into the surf for added stability im assuming, i'll have to try that when i get to the surf.

got a lid, just gotta cut it up some, but thanks!!!

i have two flush mount pole holders that angle slightly out, i think those two will be what i use to fish with. and the other 4 are mainly for storage, minus the back two. i was hoping those would work out for trolling if i ever intend to do so. but i'll probably have to go back and reinforce that, figured with the weight of the water in the tank should keep my crate in place in case anything nasty decides to yank on me.

gonna put some holes in the bucket above the drain hole tonight for added drainage

and gonna try and pick up the battery from OEX after work.

as far as the drain on the bottom, i can pull the hose out of the fitting to drain it so i dont have to completly take the bucket out.

what else you guys got hit me!

GregAndrew · 09-25-2012, 02:11 PM

If you are going to have your inlet at the bottom, you better use a one-way valve in-line. If not, should you lose power your tank will drain out. Make sure all your components are sturdy enough to take a spill and survive if you plan on doing any surf launching.

tehburninator · 09-25-2012, 02:18 PM

ok doke.

so far ive been fishing the bay with the practice of leashing all my gear up anytime i launch or land. no bungies though, i just use rope. may upgrade later on but seems to be ok for me right now.

i had that in mind so my bait tank im putting together with the intention of being able to take any hanging parts (hoses pumps) off and put them away either in the tank or in the hull. which ever is easiest at the time.

i'll go look for a one way valve, where did you purchase yours?

btw, you guys are the shit =) thanks a bunch for all the advice so far

ful-rac · 09-25-2012, 03:04 PM

Hey don't forget to put one of these on it!
you can store stuff in there for your crash landings. And also keep the bait from hopping out, like they usually do.
Gamma seal lid.

jorluivil · 09-25-2012, 04:03 PM

I would stay away from those tupperware type containers, they're not as waterproof as they appear to be. Don't be cheap or you'll be replacing things every few trips, buy quality marine grade products and save yourself the headache. I have my ff/gps battery in a pelican case, three years later the inside is still dry.

Second thing.........although those crimps are not below the water line I can guarantee they are going to corrode on you after the first few trips. You can goop them but even then they'll still corrode.

ful-rac · 09-25-2012, 04:12 PM

Agree, those crimps are going to go pretty fast! Suggest you put some marine grade shrink tube over those crimps. That should keep it nice dry and sealed.

GregAndrew · 09-25-2012, 04:26 PM

Home Depot usually carries the PVC type of one-way valve. Or you can use a gas line squeeze ball that most Marine stores carry.

With your inlet so low, how are you going to plumb your pump to the tank?

09-25-2012, 03:04 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Hey don't forget to put one of these on it! you can store stuff in there for your crash landings. And also keep the bait from hopping out, like they usually do. Gamma seal lid. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

09-25-2012, 04:03 PM	#6
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I would stay away from those tupperware type containers, they're not as waterproof as they appear to be. Don't be cheap or you'll be replacing things every few trips, buy quality marine grade products and save yourself the headache. I have my ff/gps battery in a pelican case, three years later the inside is still dry. Second thing.........although those crimps are not below the water line I can guarantee they are going to corrode on you after the first few trips. You can goop them but even then they'll still corrode. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

09-25-2012, 04:12 PM	#7
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Agree, those crimps are going to go pretty fast! Suggest you put some marine grade shrink tube over those crimps. That should keep it nice dry and sealed. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

09-25-2012, 01:05 PM	#1
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	You should do fine with that set-up. Make sure you have some type of lid because bait will jump out. You pump will draw more amps than your fish finder/GPS so use seperate batteries and having them in sealed containers is very smart. Rather than using a single overflow hose you can just drill 1/4" holes at the level you want your bucket to fill to. What you have done should work fine and if it does not do the job drill more holes. The rod holders which I attached to the bait tank I made out of a file box are good for holding rods that are not in use but too weak to be used while fishing. I also recommend putting a drain plug at the bottom of the tank so when you get back to the beach you can drain the water without removing your tank. I always keep my tank full when going back in because the weight in the stern helps keep the bow up.

09-25-2012, 02:07 PM	#2
tehburninator Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 96	weigh the stern when coming back into the surf for added stability im assuming, i'll have to try that when i get to the surf. got a lid, just gotta cut it up some, but thanks!!! i have two flush mount pole holders that angle slightly out, i think those two will be what i use to fish with. and the other 4 are mainly for storage, minus the back two. i was hoping those would work out for trolling if i ever intend to do so. but i'll probably have to go back and reinforce that, figured with the weight of the water in the tank should keep my crate in place in case anything nasty decides to yank on me. gonna put some holes in the bucket above the drain hole tonight for added drainage and gonna try and pick up the battery from OEX after work. as far as the drain on the bottom, i can pull the hose out of the fitting to drain it so i dont have to completly take the bucket out. what else you guys got hit me!

09-25-2012, 02:11 PM	#3
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	If you are going to have your inlet at the bottom, you better use a one-way valve in-line. If not, should you lose power your tank will drain out. Make sure all your components are sturdy enough to take a spill and survive if you plan on doing any surf launching.

09-25-2012, 02:18 PM	#4
tehburninator Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 96	ok doke. so far ive been fishing the bay with the practice of leashing all my gear up anytime i launch or land. no bungies though, i just use rope. may upgrade later on but seems to be ok for me right now. i had that in mind so my bait tank im putting together with the intention of being able to take any hanging parts (hoses pumps) off and put them away either in the tank or in the hull. which ever is easiest at the time. i'll go look for a one way valve, where did you purchase yours? btw, you guys are the shit =) thanks a bunch for all the advice so far

09-25-2012, 04:26 PM	#8
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Home Depot usually carries the PVC type of one-way valve. Or you can use a gas line squeeze ball that most Marine stores carry. With your inlet so low, how are you going to plumb your pump to the tank?