Should I upgrade my uninsulated tank?

[Pete D.]

Hey guys, I have a 16' aluminum boat. Really roomy for 2 guys, maybe even 3. Works well for me. I have a 17 gallon pro flow bait tank. Weight-wise it works perfectly, although I think I could go 20, maybe even 25 gallons in the future. I have the transom mount aerator for cool days and for filling the tank up. I have a recirc pump that I use when traveling and on warmer days. I can keep bait alive for hours and hours in the spring, fall and winter. In the summer, I could use insulation. Now my tank was $250 but I got it for $140 on clearance last year. Should I try and insulate the tank (with roll out foam or yoga mats) or should I bite the bullet and spend the $600 for a super bait 2 or a grayline tank? Any other ideas about a decent looking form of waterproof insulation? Lots of other things I could spend $600 on. Anyways, here is a few pics of my setup so you get the idea. Thanks!

[striperjohn]

When I first started I had a similar tank. I used double back sticky tape and put the aluminized bubble foam all around the tank. Even cut pieces for the lid and top and it made a big difference in keeping the temps down. That being said, even the best of tanks aren't very good once the heat of summer comes in, it's just very difficult to keep your bait at or below 65 degrees when its 80 plus outside. Then even if you do taking that bait from one environment to the next doesn't help them at all. The temperature changes on bait is the big killer in summer.

[Gator]

Sutor, I have wrestled this very question around for almost a year. The idea of making my own insulated tank or buying the SBT II or just sticking with artificial.

I looked at your exact set up and thought about wrapping the tank with .032 aluminum (sides and bottom) and leaving 2" clearence between the tank and the aluminum and filling it with a closed cell insulation to up the R-value. Would be a pretty simple thing to build. Also, looked at some other home made options that others on this forum have given me. 600 bucks is hard to justify but in the end I think it is worth spending the bucks.

Ordered my SBT II on Wednesday.  and 2 Time Wade nets. This bait venture is going to put me in the poor house.

[Deleted]

Gator? What is up? I thought you were artificial only? Wow...what a change!

Tim Wade even. Did you get a 3/4 and a 1/2? Muuhuuhaaa!

[Gator]

Yam, it's crazy right. Maybe a mid-life crisis, not sure. It has all happened so fast and still in a haze. hmmmm, what is happening.



Yes 1/2 and 3/4. I used his nets when I lived in FL for mullet and pogies. He (Tim) is one of the best.

[BentRod]

Sutor, it all depends on how serious you are about your bait. If it makes or breaks your trips, then get a Super II and don't ever question it...you won't regret it.

Gator, I looked at Yams Wade net the last time he was down. I was impressed..it's definitely better made than a Cracker. I wouldn't buy one for shallow water bait because $190 is a lot to be throwing around at trees and stuff, but the quality and weight for a deep shad net and even a alewife net over the lights is probably worth the extra $50. Heck Crackers are $180 now anyways, but you can still find decent nets at $120 or so.

[archenemy]

Speaking from experience there is nothing worse than getting on the water at 4am in the summer, racing around in the dark to find bait holding lights, finding barely enough decent bait to fish with, and have it die on you before 9am.

The other thing I have learned is that stripers get real picky in the summer months when it comes to alewives and bluebacks. If your bait is not in pristine condition when it hits the water it may not survive the trip down through the warmer surface water let alone be seen by a striper as a choice meal.

Had a long conversation with a striper fishing guide in georgia regarding tanks and bait. He was surprised to hear that most of us at sml fill the tanks with 65 to 70 degree water in the summer. In his area they use 80 to 85 degree water with the theory that the bait needs to acclimate to the surface water temp. When the bait hits the water it doesn't go into shock due to a major temperature change. Never had the nuts to try this as I would rather be on the fish with a tank full of lively baits.

Like bentrod said. Make a one time investment and get the superbait you can't go wrong.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[BentRod]

The surface temp is irrelevant in the summer if you're fishing baits 30-40ft deep. It's the temp at 30ft deep that matters, which is generally closer to 65-70 than 85.

[archenemy]

I agree and was somewhat perplexed with his theory. I would think a bait coming out of 85 degree tank water and hitting 65 degree lake water would shock em pretty good.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[mwardncsu]

Maybe their lake has warmer water deeper. Shallower lake overall or just different characteristics..... If so then it kind of makes sense.

[BentRod]

Apr 12, 2014 9:04:42 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Maybe their lake has warmer water deeper. Shallower lake overall or just different characteristics..... If so then it kind of makes sense.

I've heard the same argument that arch was talking about made about here and I don't see it. May make sense there but not here unless you're fishing shallow. Even still we catch our herring from deep water and it's not going to live in 85deg water long without some O2 or something. Most guys in Ga buy their bait cured out which is a whole nother ball game. Cured bait is hardy.

[Live Bait JunkEE]

It looks like you have the space -- Buy the SBT and check out the 35gallon tank -- as I did my search I found it on only 1 site and the dimensions for me were better than the 30 gallon -- Call Ron directly and order it from him, he is great about trouble shooting and or giving advice if you ever have any questions. Bite the bullet and you will not regret it --

[mwardncsu]

FYI - Dewayne @ Captains Quarters will have a bunch of SBT-II tanks that will be in mid/late April.....

[Pete D.]

Thanks for all the pointers and info guys. I can get a 24 gallon (biggest I would want) grayline for $470.00 shipped to my door. I can also get a 20 gallon super bait 2 for $600 shipped. What would you guys do? Also, my current tank has L brackets to secure the tank to the deck. It doesnt seem that the SBT or Gray's have any hardware to keep the tank from sliding around. Does anyone have an issue with this? I dont want to try and get on plane and have my tank go barreling backwards!

[mwardncsu]

I have my tank sitting on some of the "non-skid" mat that you put under a rug on hardwood floors - it does not budge on my fiberglass deck when running down the lake - empty, and especially not when full. Don't see a need for brackets in my case - it is "trapped" under my leaning post so it can't come flying forward if I slammed into something though....


I know some folks that will swear by the Greylines and a lot swear by the SBT-II. I don't personally like the filtration system of the Greyline - it achieves aeration just by overflow unless you get the second pump that hands in the main tank. That said, I'm not wild about the aeration in the stock SBT-II's either - throw away that air plate on the bottom of the pump that it comes with - well, just leave it but remove the air hose and connect that to a Dannco venturi aerator..... another $35 or so but WELL worth it.