Hobie Livewell priming - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JohnMckroidJr · 08-05-2022, 12:58 PM

Last time out I was stoked to get this nice Calimari while fishing for bait along the beach.

I would have loved to put it out live out in 200ft, but the live well lost prime while en route. When I opened the lid to bait up, half my bait was dead.

This has happened before, and I am considering putting a water level alarm in my live well.

I think part of the problem is now that I am motorized, my average speed is faster, and the likelihood of the pump intake catching a pocket of air has increased.

I am using a 12volt battery with the discharge throttled by a half-open butterfly valve to increase back pressure and reduce flow in the well.

Open to ideas or suggestions to reduce the chances of losing prime.....

08-05-2022, 12:58 PM	#9
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,923	Hobie live well failing to stay primed. Last time out I was stoked to get this nice Calimari while fishing for bait along the beach. I would have loved to put it out live out in 200ft, but the live well lost prime while en route. When I opened the lid to bait up, half my bait was dead. This has happened before, and I am considering putting a water level alarm in my live well. I think part of the problem is now that I am motorized, my average speed is faster, and the likelihood of the pump intake catching a pocket of air has increased. I am using a 12volt battery with the discharge throttled by a half-open butterfly valve to increase back pressure and reduce flow in the well. Open to ideas or suggestions to reduce the chances of losing prime.....