boat live-well

[tateman]

i have s skeeter zx 225 dual console, been looking to put a 30 bait tank between the console don't really think it would fit or would be a real hassle to be climbing over alot? has any body ever put a danco or aventuri in one of the live wells and set it up that way? and could you put some sort of filter system on it.

Andy

[CorneliaGale]

Are the baitwells round or square, shad don't like corners. If they are round then most likely you could use one of them for a bait tank. Square not likely as the shad will get in the corners and die.

[mwardncsu]

It could certainly be better than nothing depending on the size of the livewell. The issue is filtering, but it likely would work to keep alewives for a day. As mentioned in the other post, the Dannco venturi has a few options, one of which is a bulkhead install option which might be a good idea for a retrofit on a livewell.

How big is your livewell - size, etc? Rounded corners are ideal, but if there is room for them to swim then they'll find their way is other conditions are right....

[tateman]

they look to be 20 25 gallon per side, looking for the owners manual now, the courneres are rounded but not complety round? when you say bulk head do you mean the EZ clean units that are vertical with the filter on top?

[mwardncsu]

Feb 19, 2013 13:14:27 GMT -5 tateman said:

when you say bulk head do you mean the EZ clean units that are vertical with the filter on top?

No, he has a version of the venturi that instead of having a smooth slip fitting on both size, has a bulkhead of some form - I guess a threaded fitting and then a "nut" that would mount through the livewell wall on the output side of the venturi.

The EZClean option would give you filtration if you have the height for it - or, if you can locate a Creekbank BaitSpa, it would be good if you have enought width in the livewell - it is only 6" or so tall - but they don't make them any more and they are a rare find at this point.

[tateman]

mwardncsu,
how do you think the EZ clean would work on the filter side? do you know anybody that has used one? i believe i have room for the height of the pump, just not sure if i want to be drilling holes in the live-well after looking at the access from the back compartment, if i go with the bulk head i still have a filter problem. your thoughts

thanks for any and all opinions, Andy

[wishforfish]

Hi Andy,
I am one of a few here that uses the integrated baitwells on my boat vs. a separate tank. My Mako has a 23 gal. (round) up front in the console and I believe it is a 29 gal. in the back. Both keep bait fine but I primarily use the front and use the Bait Spa as a filter/aeration system. Both my wells also have Pro Air aeration and recirc. but as Mike said the primary issue is filtering. If you can find them the Bait Spa's are great but there are alternatives and you can build your own as I have been told many times. The limitations are really only that you won't be able to keep bait long term and won't be able to really load up on big bait. It works for me as I fish mostly 1/2 days and get fresh bait each night. I can keep alewives for 2-3 days but gizz's only last a day no matter what I do. Be sure to use plenty of salt and I use shad keeper (figure it can't hurt) but don't know how effective it really is. Also ammoniasorb really makes a difference in the smaller tanks for what it is worth.
Kevin

[mytoyzfishing]

I tried using the same style tanks that are on my Ranger 185VX, and honestly they dont work all that great. They are designed to hold bass not shad. The problem is the filtration. If you use your recirculating pumps the screens on the intake's clog fast with scales. I was haveing to clean them every 10 - 15 minutes. And if you dont stay ontop of it you will burn out the pumps like I did. I went through several pumps trying to keep the water flowing to them. I have seen a home made overflow filter that had screwed into where the screens went using pvc and a tupperware with filter material. He had limite success with it. Someone had suggested to me on using a small floating net int he bait tank to keep the scales from getting to the screens. Problem then is that the scales are kept in the same area as the shad and they wind up inhaling them and kills them quicker. Ultamitly I abandoned trying to use my bass boat for live bait fishing and am currently setting up a pontoon boat for it instead. Now if you could find a used bait spa some where that creek bank used to make (they went out of business) that would work if you didnt use your recirculating pumps. I had one in my center console built in tank that I used to have that worked good. Or you could try one of the keep alive in tank pumps might be an option. If you do decide to persue trolling from the bass boat and need a way to set up rod holders let me know. I had picked up some bases that temp attach to the cleats.

[tateman]

thanks for all the info, started on the install today. used a angel pump made by atwell? gonna order a venturi kit tomorrow, probably a new pump as well the atwell 700 series pump is really loud? made a filter chamber from a Tupperware container, still work in progress but I'm pretty sure i can get a ample amout of filter midea in there. should finish the wiring to the console tomorrow with a switch. should be able to keep enough bait for a day trip, i only live about a hour from the lake.

thoughts,suggestions welcome

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2013 21:09:45 GMT -5 tateman said:

thanks for all the info, started on the install today. used a angel pump made by atwell? gonna order a venturi kit tomorrow, probably a new pump as well the atwell 700 series pump is really loud? made a filter chamber from a Tupperware container, still work in progress but I'm pretty sure i can get a ample amout of filter midea in there. should finish the wiring to the console tomorrow with a switch. should be able to keep enough bait for a day trip, i only live about a hour from the lake.

thoughts,suggestions welcome



So how did things work out. I would love to see your final solution and gather what you learned from your experience.

[tateman]

Yam, I only use it when I bring bait home for the tank,, bout a hour ride. It holds the gizzards good in when the water is below 65?? I bought a tank to go in between the console and it makes life a lot easer??? It's hard to keep it when the water get warm!! Andy