Next Project - Bait Tube - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

2-Stix · 09-15-2017, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filippo

A suggestion: Save time and get the Torpedo Bait Bucket. $40. 0 drag. Super, super light. Holds about 5 huge macs, more medium sized ones, and a lot more small ones. In all my trips all bait survived and thrived. Check it out: www.torpedobaitbuckets.com (I'm not affiliated).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lf4eExrLiw

Buddy gave me his DIY one before I bought the Torpedo and found it too bulky and heavy. He actually ordered one too even though he's got the Hobie tank.

x2. I made a tube...and it was a really good one and still sucked pretty bad.

goldenglory18 · 09-20-2017, 07:21 AM

Now that I figured out how much my DIY project is going to cost, I realize its about the same as the Torpedo.

Filippo, how has yours held up? A lot of discussion on other forums and on youtube about how cheap and poorly made it is. I figure I can build something stronger, but if its actually ok, I might just go with it and DIY the improvements necessary.

Anyone else have experience with the Torpedo?

Mahigeer · 09-20-2017, 07:41 AM

Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be.

I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks.

To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00.

We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch.

We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel.

No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

filippo · 09-20-2017, 09:57 AM

It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business

(hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer.

I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

goldenglory18 · 09-20-2017, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be.

I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks. To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00. We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch. We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel. No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

I agree (I'm a tournament bass angler so live/cut bait is a new deal to me anyway) but when you need it, it would be nice to have the option. Especially since this thing is so lightweight and easy to stow away until needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by filippo

It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business

(hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer.

I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

Good to hear. If I go this route, your review gives me some confidence in the product. What I've read so far is definitely negative heavy.

Thanks again everyone...

taggermike · 09-21-2017, 07:34 AM

I've made several bait tubes from different materials over the years.
The best tubing I found was 4" perforated drain pipe. (Some times called leach line of French drain) you can get the flat slotted plugs for the ends. But they also make slotted cone shaped caps as well.
The top door of the bait torpedo is much better access than have to remove the and cap. Mike

Mahigeer · 09-21-2017, 09:46 AM

What I meant was not the lack of benefit of having bait tube, rather paying for live bait.

We could have filled the tank with live mackerel instead of buying sardines.

Gunner58 · 09-22-2017, 06:54 AM

I have used both a torpedo bait tube and a DIY tube and in my opinion they both are not good options. I made a bait tank for under 100 bucks and works great. One more downside to the bait tube is my friend had a hammer head attack his tube so you have to be careful of that.

09-20-2017, 07:21 AM	#2
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Now that I figured out how much my DIY project is going to cost, I realize its about the same as the Torpedo. Filippo, how has yours held up? A lot of discussion on other forums and on youtube about how cheap and poorly made it is. I figure I can build something stronger, but if its actually ok, I might just go with it and DIY the improvements necessary. Anyone else have experience with the Torpedo?

09-20-2017, 07:41 AM	#3
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be. I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks. To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00. We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch. We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel. No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

09-20-2017, 09:57 AM	#4
filippo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 128	It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business (hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer. I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

09-21-2017, 07:34 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I've made several bait tubes from different materials over the years. The best tubing I found was 4" perforated drain pipe. (Some times called leach line of French drain) you can get the flat slotted plugs for the ends. But they also make slotted cone shaped caps as well. The top door of the bait torpedo is much better access than have to remove the and cap. Mike

09-21-2017, 09:46 AM	#7
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	What I meant was not the lack of benefit of having bait tube, rather paying for live bait. We could have filled the tank with live mackerel instead of buying sardines.

09-22-2017, 06:54 AM	#8
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	I have used both a torpedo bait tube and a DIY tube and in my opinion they both are not good options. I made a bait tank for under 100 bucks and works great. One more downside to the bait tube is my friend had a hammer head attack his tube so you have to be careful of that.