Live bait tank

[Sea Weed]

I have been looking at live wells some mount in rear of kayak. they look inconvient to use behind you. how do you retrive the fish from tank, with out tipping. Do t you get off balance with that weight. I did see a flexable one that mounts inside the yak in front of the person. Looks easy but I worry about the extra holes in bottom. Or the tank breaking inside of the yak. Again how hard is it to retrive the bait from those tanks.

[jscott]

the flexible one you refer to is the kayatank.  I have one....it is pretty good....but I have had a few issues with it.  It fills partly with water automatically (because below the water line)-- so even if I don't have any baits to keep alive, I am always dragging around a few extra gallons of water.  I also had a switch go out on me....easily replaced.  Finally-- my intake opening on the bottom of the yak has gotten chewed up a bit from heavy use--- landings on rocky beaches mainly. 

The kayatank is great for someone who always fishes live bait and launches out of soft sandy beaches (GREAT FOR LJ).
If you sometimes plan to only fish plastics-- a little bit of a pain.
You also give up inside storage for the kayatank.
Finally, having the plumbing on the bottom of the kayak is a little unnerving-- I find myself checking it frequently for leaks-- none yet (had the tank for 1 1/2 yrs now!)
Having the tank in front of me between my legs is SUPER easy.  I usually just shake off my bait from the sabiki, and they fall into the tank.  Usually I don't have to touch the bait until just before going on my hook!  Stay alive ALL day....I end up sending many off on their merry way at the end of a trip.
Finally-- the kayatank is probably the most expensive bait system out there.  The other tanks that go behind you are cheaper

Pros and cons-- decide for yourself.

Jason

[Sea Weed]

Scott have you tried the behind tank. I could see my self turning backwards trying to catch the baitfish . Then falling off the kayak.

[Spike]

SWeed,
You shouldn't come off your kayak outside the surf zone.  The bait tank needs to fit you boat and making your own, it's easy to do.  I like tankwell bait tanks and it's a great utilization of the rear deck on most models.  That said, call me for a heads-up related to your particular kayak model if that will help.  There is a good basic on the FAQ Page of the main web site.

[Cabo Dan]

I picked up a small torpedo shaped bait tank at KMART for about 15 bucks that pulls behind your yak in the water on a teather. It has worked great, catching more halibut and Lings with live bait. Good for shorter trips and when you can catch bait fish on the go. Bait can stay alive for a couple hours.

[jscott]

I picked up a small torpedo shaped bait tank at KMART for about 15 bucks that pulls behind your yak in the water on a teather. It has worked great, catching more halibut and Lings with live bait. Good for shorter trips and when you can catch bait fish on the go. Bait can stay alive for a couple hours.

Yes--- also known as a bait tube.  These work pretty good....and no battery to worry about !

Also-- for drifting...plano bait bucket is very easy to use.  Not so good when you are trolling or moving around or covering a lot of water (you need to pick it up so it doesn't add too much drag)....baits last a little less time than in a bait tube.  (do not overcrowd!)

[Falcon]

hmm the kayatank was just what I was looking for,  I like the easy hatch access, but $275 is alot for a bait tank man!  Maybe I will have to stick with the $20 plano bucket.

[Sea Weed]

I like the kayatank but money seems a lot. I'm thinking maybe I can design something a little different. I do  think getting the bait out to me looks like a problem. as they can hide way back inside the tank. Same for the tanks on the rear of the kayak.

[EFISH]

I use the thresher tank and like it alot.  Strap it down and use it for storage of tackle , reels or camera, food on the way out then remove and gear up once through the surf.  Holds it's owne battery  and is a self contained unit.  Not sure what boat you have.  You need a rear tank well for the unit.  Mine was like 130.00 but you need to buy a battery then.
Peace Out
EFISH

[jscott]

I like the kayatank but money seems a lot. I'm thinking maybe I can design something a little different. I do  think getting the bait out to me looks like a problem. as they can hide way back inside the tank. Same for the tanks on the rear of the kayak.

Gotta have a bait dip net....I lost one and had a hard time catching them with my hands a few times!

[dgoff]

I made one out of a plastic file bin that fits perfect in my rear tank well, add livewell pump, battery and switch and it works very well. Intake and overflow tubes go right out the scupper holes. All of the parts came from WalMart, minus the battery which came with my fishfinder. I've also used a rechargable battery out of an old UPS. If your yak is designed so you can sit sideways while fishing I can't see where there would be any problem accessing the bait at all. My boat is a little difficult to fish from sideways but turning around enough to get at the bait isn't that hard.
Dennis

[Sea Weed]

THanks for all of the info I have two yaks an old swing and a prowler15