20 Gallon Bait Tank Build Project

[Blue_Runner]

I did a test but it left me with more quesitons like, how close is too close to the side for the pump? Is 6" enough or more? And what is the preferred additive - I've heard of some stuff called "Better Bait??" Any good?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

I did a test but it left me with more quesitons like, how close is too close to the side for the pump? Is 6" enough or more? And what is the preferred additive - I've heard of some stuff called "Better Bait??" Any good?

4-6" should be about right and have the stream go toward the wall on a fairly sharp angle to get things turning in the tank...

Shad Keeper and salt in the tank for "fixins"...rock salt or Kosher salt best...gotta keep water around 55* tops...careful adding ice as some store-bought ice can have chlorine and kill 'em all...if you add ice from a store, add a little more Shad Keeper

http://www.wholesalebait.com/product.php?pid=174

or here's yer Better Bait...good too

http://www.wholesalebait.com/product.php?pid=63

and get some of this too

http://www.wholesalebait.com/product.php?pid=70

in case ya run outta Coffee Mate

It won't take much to 20 gals of any of this stuff, but drop in about 1/2lb salt...lemme know how it goes, DAWG...

[Blue_Runner]

Great info, thanks Oz! This seems a lot like rocket science - only a little more complicated!

One thing I'm having a hard time understanding - which has been touched on in this post by someone else - is how to get the water down to 55 without killing them. They'll be coming out of 80 ish degree water, so I assume you start out with 75 degrees in the tank, and lower it slowly as to not stress them?

Thanks Oz for all your expert advice. I know its gonna pay off!

[reelapeelin]

You wanna keep tank around 55*... hook the bait as quickly as you can and GET HIM DOWN...we generally use 1 1/2 oz barrel over a swivel and 4-6' leader...sadly the fact is eventually the lake water will lose it's D.O. and you'll have a tuff time using livies......that's when we go to draggin' umbrellas and lead-core line...

[Flyfishin]

BR, When are we going to put this thing to use??

Next weekend Weather permitting.

Reel, Thanks, for all the help.


FF

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Flyfishin

BR, When are we going to put this thing to use??

Next weekend Weather permitting.

Reel, Thanks, for all the help.


FF

Anytime, DAWG!!...and yes...OK to harvest bait in one lake and use for bait in another...