Thinking of building a small bait tank. I got a plastic water tank out of an old pop up camper, and a submersible pump from a garden fountain. I know how I want to make it, but am wondering what others use to clean and feed the little guys. This is going to be used primarily for left over bait, between fishing trips.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Elon
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Elon
Hertzy, I have an aquarium set up in my garage and have had bait for almost 2 months. A plastic tank works fine.
The tank can get to be a bit smelly so I don't advise it in the house.
Here is a short list of things that work for me.
Keep cold, even light ice is ok on occasion.
If you use city water let it sit for a couple days before putting in the bait. (less chlorine)
Water changes are needed to keep water somewhat clean, only do about a third at a time.
Do not shock the bait with temperature change when putting bait in or out.
Feeding is really not needed, tend to dirty the tank more.
Aeration of some sort
The tank can get to be a bit smelly so I don't advise it in the house.
Here is a short list of things that work for me.
Keep cold, even light ice is ok on occasion.
If you use city water let it sit for a couple days before putting in the bait. (less chlorine)
Water changes are needed to keep water somewhat clean, only do about a third at a time.
Do not shock the bait with temperature change when putting bait in or out.
Feeding is really not needed, tend to dirty the tank more.
Aeration of some sort
Green may not be sooo bad, if you use any type of cleaner, that can be a problem unless you are sure to get it all completely out and rinse very well.
Don't let it freeze up.
I have been lucky so far this season I have not had to buy bait yet, but I am starting to thin them out pretty good.
Don't let it freeze up.
I have been lucky so far this season I have not had to buy bait yet, but I am starting to thin them out pretty good.
MONGREL BAITS FOR SALE! haha
Just to add, a few of the things I want to put some more importance on, again, the temperature difference is big, dont let the bucket ice up more than a quarter of an inch on the bait, i think it gets a little too cold. Aeration is very important as well. One thing I find that works very very well is a cheap fishtank filter for a smaller tank. Its the one where you put the air tube at the bottom and the bubbles go up a tube and create a suction pulling water through a sponge filter. If you dont know what it is i can put a picture up. This helps keep the water not only aerated but cleaner than just keeping them in a bucket with an air stone.
No but really Mongrel baits, 3.99 a dozen, you pick up
Just to add, a few of the things I want to put some more importance on, again, the temperature difference is big, dont let the bucket ice up more than a quarter of an inch on the bait, i think it gets a little too cold. Aeration is very important as well. One thing I find that works very very well is a cheap fishtank filter for a smaller tank. Its the one where you put the air tube at the bottom and the bubbles go up a tube and create a suction pulling water through a sponge filter. If you dont know what it is i can put a picture up. This helps keep the water not only aerated but cleaner than just keeping them in a bucket with an air stone.
No but really Mongrel baits, 3.99 a dozen, you pick up
I made mine like a boat live well. I took some air line, blocked off the end, drilled several hole in it, and stuck it on the pump. I may make another line with fewer holes in it. No filter,, didn't think about that. I guess I have to think of adding one. I'm thinking with the water moving as quickly as it is, it shouldn't freeze up. I'll move it into the bulkhead tomarow, and see what it does over night.
Looking good Hertzy, that's a perfect tank. You're quite the McGuiver so it appears 
You will be surprised about freezing even if you think the water is moving fast enough. Depending how cold it gets, if it gets down near 0 you will need a heater of some sort.
Oh and one more thing...NO naming the fish!!!
You will be surprised about freezing even if you think the water is moving fast enough. Depending how cold it gets, if it gets down near 0 you will need a heater of some sort.
Oh and one more thing...NO naming the fish!!!
MONGREL baits are the baits that me and aqualung use. They are coined mongrel baits by tbob because he finds them not fit to catch fish seeing as we catch them ourselves. You see, tbob thinks that these baits do not work well because they were free, he thinks you have to spend 4.99 a dozen for the bait to work. The sad part is he is continually out-fished with said MONGREL bait.
On a serious note, the natural caught bait is the best way to go, it is natural forage and a fish is more apt to eat it than a store bought shiner. The store bought shiners are actually called Arkansas shiners and they are grown in big fish ponds or tanks if you will. They are then shipped up here from whichever bait dealer to our local tackle shops. Do they work? You betcha. I have seen a better catch rate with the "MONGRELS" though.
What did I say before? Mongrel baits: 3.99 a dozen! HA!
On a serious note, the natural caught bait is the best way to go, it is natural forage and a fish is more apt to eat it than a store bought shiner. The store bought shiners are actually called Arkansas shiners and they are grown in big fish ponds or tanks if you will. They are then shipped up here from whichever bait dealer to our local tackle shops. Do they work? You betcha. I have seen a better catch rate with the "MONGRELS" though.
What did I say before? Mongrel baits: 3.99 a dozen! HA!