Gator
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Post by Gator on Sept 24, 2013 8:55:34 GMT -5
Okay, I have read all of the past posts about bait tanks. Seems like the general consensus is that the SBT II is the tank of choice. And I would be more than happy to purchase a 30 gallon tank if I could find one. Darn they are hard to find  . I want to start live baiting and need a tank. Can someone offer thier advice as to where I might find a SBT II or something that will work until I can get one. I need something on the small side as I am limited to space. Any help will be greatly appreciated. |
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Post by mwardncsu on Sept 24, 2013 9:22:29 GMT -5
Keep an eye on Craigslist and also on "StriperBoard" - www.striperboard.com/brd/sb/sb.php (this is mainly a SC-tuned board but lots of striper activity and I see tanks pop up here pretty frequently if you are willing to go get it. Bluewater bait tanks are more or less a copy of the Super Bait Tank - and with any of them if you replace their aeration with a Dannco venturi you'll have a good tank if the filtration system is decent. Greylines are another option for a insulated tank but I don't like their filter system with a pump in the bait-side and such.... |
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Post by mytoyzfishing on Sept 24, 2013 13:22:27 GMT -5
I'll pm you on some different options  |
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Post by mwardncsu on Sept 24, 2013 16:10:36 GMT -5
I'll pm you on some different options Why not share them here for everyone - I know we "preach" the SBT-II and the Dannco venturi, but its because it has proven itself time and time again to multiple folks. But that does not mean that there are not other solutions that also work.... I know there are a number of guys that successfully keep bait in a variety of home-made tanks with various types of insulation (or not), filtration, aeration, etc. Don't want anyone thinking that different or "contrary" ideas or discussion should not be raised here - that's what these forms are about and when the discussion happens in PMs then everyone loses as others may have input to tag onto, or an idea that makes the original even better. |
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Sept 24, 2013 17:18:51 GMT -5
Maybe I should have added all ideas are welcome for open discussion. Not looking for a forum debate just need solid advice. I really need help. That being said, any help is greatly appreciated.
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Post by mytoyzfishing on Sept 24, 2013 17:47:32 GMT -5
I'll pm you on some different options Why not share them here for everyone - I know we "preach" the SBT-II and the Dannco venturi, but its because it has proven itself time and time again to multiple folks. But that does not mean that there are not other solutions that also work.... I know there are a number of guys that successfully keep bait in a variety of home-made tanks with various types of insulation (or not), filtration, aeration, etc. Don't want anyone thinking that different or "contrary" ideas or discussion should not be raised here - that's what these forms are about and when the discussion happens in PMs then everyone loses as others may have input to tag onto, or an idea that makes the original even better. Here's what I pm'd him. Its just basically a repeat of what I've shared a while back. "SBT II's are going to be hard to come by. They are made by hand by one single guy. Back in Feb he had back surgery with has greatly slowed him down. Last I heard he is several months behind in getting his orders filled. Dwayne at Captains Quarters was supposed to get his order in back in July and as far as I know he hasn't recived them yet. There are a couple of shops a bit of drive that might have some in but dont know if they will or not. Striper Soup in Tenn. Striper Fun in kentrucky, and extreme fishing concepts in North Carolina all carry them. Whether or not they have any in stock is a different story. Another option which does not seem so popular aound here is the Grey Line tanks. Ive read good things from guys fishing other parts of the country. But the guys around SML dont say much about them. Another option that I have set up but have not tested yet is a pure oxygen system in my existing bass boat live well. Just haven't found the time to get out to fish since installing it. I talked to the CEO/Owner of the company and he claims its all large places such as the Atlanta Aquarium use's to transport their delicate fish. If you think about it when you see stocking tanks driving down the high way they all use pure oxygen injection and no recirculation pumps. And that is pretty much the standard country wide. Just need to find the time to get out to test it on shad." I'll add a little more. I used to have a 50g SBT II when I was using the pontoon boat to fish. But once I decided to move back to the bass boat for good I decided I wasnt going to hold on to the tank to colect dust so I sold it since a 50 is no way fitting on the bass boat. I have the o2 system all installed, I had someone else ask me about an update on the o2 system. I dont have one yet. It's been installed since I posted up about a couple of months ago. For one reason or another I just have yet to make it on the water since i have installed it a couple of months ago. I was hopeing to get the chance at the last club tournament but since my on call coverage bailed on me I never got to get out on the water. Heck I would love to get some shad in it even if I dont fish just so I can test it out. |
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Post by mwardncsu on Sept 24, 2013 18:38:43 GMT -5
Thanks Mark!
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Post by emmitt on Sept 25, 2013 7:29:10 GMT -5
Having to invest in new electronics and a new TM I can’t afford a new bait tank right now so I went for the modified 50 gallon plastic drum that Shadslinger described on here sometime ago. Not sure if his post is still on here or not. I cut the drum down to about 35 gallons and installed a Dannco venturi and a filter and it works well if you are ok with getting your bait in the morning and using it all up during the day. If you are looking to get bait Friday night and fish all weekend this option is not the best. I don’t have any insulation on it but that is only a factor in the hottest days and I start with as cold a water as I can find pumping it up from the bottom of the lake(see mwards set up) and carrying lots of frozen bottles to keep it cool. I have kept a mix of alewives and shad all day without any problem in the cooler months. The only real cost is the venturi and the pump to circulate the water through the filter. It takes more care but if you don’t have the $ right now it is an option.
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Post by Gotcha on Sept 25, 2013 8:29:29 GMT -5
Like emmit said! A homemade take will get you threw a day in the winter months! But summer time a nice tank is a must have! Usually below 70 degrees is a pretty safe bet on keeping bait! I have a homemade tank as well! Winter I'm fine, summer i don't even try!
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Sept 25, 2013 14:58:44 GMT -5
Gotcha and emmitt, I really considered a "home made" tank but I really don't have the room the way my boat is laid out.Nor the time to construct one. The oval or oblong shape best fits my boat. I am with mward and not overly confident in the Greyline having the pump on the bait side. I have called numerous SBT dealers and can't find a 30 gallon tank anywhere and the only other option for me to consider is the Bluewater tank. Just hate to pay 110.00 for freight on top of the already high price for the tank itself. I think I will pull the trigger on a Bluewater and just bite the bullet on the extra freight costs. Or, I could just be patient and wait for the SBT II's to come around. Just really hate to make a poor decision. Can you tell I am confused?  |
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Post by Gotcha on Sept 25, 2013 15:29:59 GMT -5
I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say! Take any container that will hold water and it will hold bait this time of year! Till you can run across a sbt! You have until the water breaks 70degrees next summer! The extra you put into a homemade take will make it where the bait will last for a half a day or all day!
Just for summertime make sure you have a good tank!
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Gator
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Posts: 1,534
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Post by Gator on Sept 25, 2013 18:04:35 GMT -5
Gotcha, I got ya. Thanks for the advice. I think my conundrum is; my heart is really into bait fishing. Do I spend the Money for the tank or just stick with my heart. Maybe, I should follow my beliefs. I may not catch the larger fish that bait seems to catch but I am still fishing. Js.
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Post by Gotcha on Sept 25, 2013 18:14:05 GMT -5
Baitfish!!!
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Post by mwardncsu on Sept 25, 2013 18:50:15 GMT -5
The tank is the first of the cost - then there iaew the nets (yes, plural - even if you so with one net for all your bait catching, you will eventually hang it insome timber or rip it beyond repair and be buying another one). Then there is the time spent chasing and catching bait - sometimes more than the time you actually spend fishing. But.... It can be worth it  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 19:38:27 GMT -5
Gator, a while back my SBT-II dissappeared of my dock.....been using a greyline all summer and am pleasently surprised. Just because mward doesn't like them doesn't mean that they are not any good. Heck, he don't like me and I'm one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  |
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. I want to start live baiting and need a tank. Can someone offer thier advice as to where I might find a SBT II or something that will work until I can get one. I need something on the small side as I am limited to space. Any help will be greatly appreciated. 
