why not bait tank in the front? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

boxturtle · 05-16-2013, 08:07 PM

Is there a reason why a bait tank is not placed in the front of a kayak? I just picked up a mini x and now trying to build a bait tank. The mini is short enough that im able to reach the fromt area with ease. I had a hobie before and reaching back for bait got old. Besides i like throwing fish in the back of the kayak. Would front heavy kayak mess up the trackin? Any other problems?

MrPatrick · 05-16-2013, 08:19 PM

A bait tank in the front is going to get hit by waves when launching. When landing if you drain it the added weight wouldn't be too bad. If you made it out off a soft cooler you could drain it and flatten it. In the past I would sometimes put a small bait tank on the front of my FND Cobra. You could even use a pitcher ,pouring occasionally to keep bait alive.

jorluivil · 05-16-2013, 09:12 PM

A gallon of water weighs just over 8lbs, if your tank holds 3gallons that's 24lbs
The typical 6v battery weighs just shy of 5lbs
I'm assuming the tank itself will weigh 4-5lbs
30lbs of additional weight on the bow
Whenever you need another piece of bait you'll have to somehow reach for it.

JeffB · 05-16-2013, 09:32 PM

Not only what jorluivil said, but it's gonna catch the wind as well. I watched my buddy put one on the front of his fish n dive and was hurting. He drained it and it still caught the wind.learn from his mistake, lol!

boxturtle · 05-17-2013, 06:19 AM

thanks guys i knew there is always a reason why people do it a certain way

Old Man in the Sea · 05-17-2013, 07:04 AM

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea

http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

Raskal311 · 05-17-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Man in the Sea

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea

http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

That would have been a much better video without all of the extra editing.

bigbarrels · 05-17-2013, 08:31 AM

yep, increase your chance of pearling coming in if you get on a wave

ocurtis · 05-17-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxturtle

Is there a reason why a bait tank is not placed in the front of a kayak? I just picked up a mini x and now trying to build a bait tank. The mini is short enough that im able to reach the fromt area with ease. I had a hobie before and reaching back for bait got old. Besides i like throwing fish in the back of the kayak. Would front heavy kayak mess up the trackin? Any other problems?

I have an old Mini X that I actually turned the front hatch into a bait tank. I built my own and it is actually inside the hatch. It worked great, but it was very small (the hatch is tiny up there.) I could really only get 2 fish in their... I would drain it on the way in.

FishNinjaY · 05-17-2013, 05:16 PM

I'm going to put my large vittles vault bait tank up in the front seat of my Hobie Oasis tandem, when I'm going solo. I think I'll put it sideways or facing back towards me. This will act as needed ballast. I have an inlet tube adjustment to make to get it to fit out the smaller scupper hole beneath the seat. I'll post pics if/when I do this and let you know how it works.

Any ideas or advice? It should work fine, right?

Thanks..
-J

IslanderFishing · 05-17-2013, 06:22 PM

I was thinking something similar since I also have an Oasis. I figured out a different way...I turned the Hobie bait tank backwards in the front seat and was able to insert the inlet and outlet tubes through the front scupper holes. Just had to place a Stearns PFD Utility Cushion below the tank to level it out. Longer inlet and outlet tubes might be needed though. I did not test it out, but should have worked. I actually decided to keep my bait tank in the back and buy the Sumo Sac 125 ballast bag instead.

Please let me know how the large vittles vault bait tank in the front seat works out. Thanks for sharing!

IslanderFishing · 05-17-2013, 06:40 PM

Hobie bait tank was turned backwards in the rear above rear mirage drive. I was trying to sit in the front when solo. Sorry for the mix up.

StinkyMatt · 05-17-2013, 06:59 PM

Just be carefully about mounting the tank in a high position. The center of gravity is GREaTLY affected.

Do t ask me how I know.

. Lets just say I know what a high position tank sloshing around can do to a kayak.

Cbad Mike · 05-17-2013, 07:23 PM

Bait tanks ARE mounted in the front of kayaks.... Its just seems like they aren't because everyone really sits backwards. DUH.

boxturtle · 05-18-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Man in the Sea

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea

http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

Thats classic!

FishNinjaY · 05-18-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Man in the Sea

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea

http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

HAHA... hey.. that's my vittles vault livewell.. uh oh..

05-16-2013, 08:07 PM	#1
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	why not bait tank in the front? Is there a reason why a bait tank is not placed in the front of a kayak? I just picked up a mini x and now trying to build a bait tank. The mini is short enough that im able to reach the fromt area with ease. I had a hobie before and reaching back for bait got old. Besides i like throwing fish in the back of the kayak. Would front heavy kayak mess up the trackin? Any other problems?

05-16-2013, 09:12 PM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	A gallon of water weighs just over 8lbs, if your tank holds 3gallons that's 24lbs The typical 6v battery weighs just shy of 5lbs I'm assuming the tank itself will weigh 4-5lbs 30lbs of additional weight on the bow Whenever you need another piece of bait you'll have to somehow reach for it. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

05-16-2013, 09:32 PM	#4
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Not only what jorluivil said, but it's gonna catch the wind as well. I watched my buddy put one on the front of his fish n dive and was hurting. He drained it and it still caught the wind.learn from his mistake, lol! __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

05-17-2013, 07:04 AM	#6
Old Man in the Sea Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Park Posts: 569	Hmmm...I think there is a video of that... In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

05-17-2013, 08:31 AM	#8
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	yep, increase your chance of pearling coming in if you get on a wave __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

05-16-2013, 08:19 PM	#2
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	A bait tank in the front is going to get hit by waves when launching. When landing if you drain it the added weight wouldn't be too bad. If you made it out off a soft cooler you could drain it and flatten it. In the past I would sometimes put a small bait tank on the front of my FND Cobra. You could even use a pitcher ,pouring occasionally to keep bait alive.

05-17-2013, 06:19 AM	#5
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	thanks guys i knew there is always a reason why people do it a certain way

05-17-2013, 05:16 PM	#10
FishNinjaY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 428	I'm going to put my large vittles vault bait tank up in the front seat of my Hobie Oasis tandem, when I'm going solo. I think I'll put it sideways or facing back towards me. This will act as needed ballast. I have an inlet tube adjustment to make to get it to fit out the smaller scupper hole beneath the seat. I'll post pics if/when I do this and let you know how it works. Any ideas or advice? It should work fine, right? Thanks.. -J

05-17-2013, 06:22 PM	#11
IslanderFishing Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temecula Posts: 99	I was thinking something similar since I also have an Oasis. I figured out a different way...I turned the Hobie bait tank backwards in the front seat and was able to insert the inlet and outlet tubes through the front scupper holes. Just had to place a Stearns PFD Utility Cushion below the tank to level it out. Longer inlet and outlet tubes might be needed though. I did not test it out, but should have worked. I actually decided to keep my bait tank in the back and buy the Sumo Sac 125 ballast bag instead. Please let me know how the large vittles vault bait tank in the front seat works out. Thanks for sharing!

05-17-2013, 06:40 PM	#12
IslanderFishing Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temecula Posts: 99	Hobie bait tank was turned backwards in the rear above rear mirage drive. I was trying to sit in the front when solo. Sorry for the mix up.

05-17-2013, 06:59 PM	#13
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Just be carefully about mounting the tank in a high position. The center of gravity is GREaTLY affected. Do t ask me how I know.. Lets just say I know what a high position tank sloshing around can do to a kayak.

05-17-2013, 07:23 PM	#14
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Bait tanks ARE mounted in the front of kayaks.... Its just seems like they aren't because everyone really sits backwards. DUH.