Live Bait Tank

[Blueby]

Gday All

I am looking at installing a live bait tank in my 5.5m stessl soon and was curious as to what size tank fellow ausfishers find is effective.

The best place I can think to mount the tank in my boat is in the transom but that will restrict the width and length of the tank a fair bit. Best fit production tank I have found is 40cm long x 23cm wide x 29cm deep which isnt all that big ie about 25Litres. If I make one myself I can probably get around a 40litre tank to fit but alot more hassel. Width of transom is the main constraint - i can only get a 23cm wide tank in.

Will be wanting to keep yakkas and slimies alive mainly. What size tank do you think I can get away with for these guys?

cheers
JB

[madman1]

I have a live bait tank that pretty much fits the dimensions you suggested. It is not overly big but I can fit around 12 slimies in with no real hassels and keep them alive most of the day. Just crank up the water input. Admittedly I haven't got too serious at this time fishing outside but when the time comes I think I will be getting a bigger tank.

The kids love keeping whiting alive in it and it will soon double up a a deckwash and hand held shower.

Cheers


Mark

[FNQCairns]

I have just finished building one for myself but out of fibreglass, I used plastic containers as the form.
I had a hard time finding a container dimension that would work without major modification (cos I am lazy) and I was not as confined in area as you are either.

Dont know if you what I did will give you any extra direction on building one. Most shapes are possible and easy to accomplish with glass with just duct tape to join two forms together for glassing.

One thing to consider is you probably will not be able to fill the tank much more than 3/4 full in the field unless sealed so your 40l might end up a 30l.

I worked on these principles for mine - rightly or wrongly.

The gentle diffused high volume displacement/replacement of water is king. Then comes volume then shape (within reason) and corners play overall a secondary roll.

Can you gain any more depth therefore volume even if it is slightly odd in shape even an extra 5 or 10L?

If you are interested see the last few pics in the link below for an easy way to make one.

cheers fnq

[Blueby]

Thanks for the replies guys. I was hoping for a few more tho - cmon fellas what size tank have you got and what size do you think I can get away with from experience?

thanks

[Heath]

Blueby,

All depends on how many fish you want to keep. If its only a dozen baits or so, then something in the vicinity of 15 - 20 L

If you are going to keep a lot of baits then about 40L or more.

Most importantly is the through put of water, especially for slimys. Having the water moving in a circular motion for them keeps them going all day, as soon as they are in slack water you will find they start to go belly up. Yakkas will be right though. You can bring them things back from the brink of death with a bit of fresh water.

[Steven78]

Here is the one i have just finished.
I think its the one you are working on

[gavsgonefishing]

Heres a dirty version I am going to sell once its nice and shiny

[gavsgonefishing]

oh its 585 long 330 wide and 340 high. it holds a heap of slimeys alive

[Bosunsmate]

What type of $$$ you gonna be chasin for it when its shiny?

[Blueby]

Steve 78

Yeah that looks like the one that I was going to try and fit in the transom. Have you used it yet and how does it go?

[bundymal]

hi steven78

whats the dimension of the bait tank and is it removable .also how bigs your boat .was going to put 1 up the front till i seen your pic

cheers mal