Live Well Hookup

[reelapeelin]

I agree w/Willy about not using the floor tank...it's really poorly designed w/beveled sides and is great at sloshing water out...plus an in-floor-tank is a pain I remember from a friend's Rabalo...it was larger, better sealed, didn't slosh, but a PAIN to retrieve live bait from...

Another way to go w/live bait requires no thru-hull or over-the-splashwell plumbing at all...all it needs is 12 volts and is completely self-contained...fill w/water to get started, plug it in and it recirculates, aerates and filters the water...here's one I made several years back....





It's mostly used for freshwater live herring, gizzard shad and trout, but I've used it many times in saltwater for porgies, shrimp, mud-minnows...no need for all the raw-water plumbing...plug it in and GO FISHIN'!!...

If you want more info on how to do this, or how to buy an already made just let me know...

[joe7670]

PM'ed.

I always thought that they needed new water to operate, but I guess not.

What to use the in floor live well hole for? Only idea that comes to mind is another fish/beer box. An other ideas?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by joe7670

PM'ed.

I always thought that they needed new water to operate, but I guess not.

What to use the in floor live well hole for? Only idea that comes to mind is another fish/beer box. An other ideas?

I sent ya a PM w/more pics on how to do it...long read...good luck and lemme know if you need any more info...basically what the system does is draw water from the bottom of the tank, returns it to the top, then down thru a filter and aerates it as it shoots it back into the bottom of the tank...basic stuff and works really good...BR set up a simular tank recently and used the Danco aerator...that thing is really key because it aerates so well that a large volume of water isn't needed to keep LOTS of bait happy

[whatknot]

That's a real nice professional looking tank. But, for saltwater I myself would def need water to be exchanged. If I put 20 pogies, menhaden, whatever- in there, they would be dead in no time flat.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by whatknot

That's a real nice professional looking tank. But, for saltwater I myself would def need water to be exchanged. If I put 20 pogies, menhaden, whatever- in there, they would be dead in no time flat.

In all the times I've put Porgies, shrimp or whatever I've never lost a single bait...keeping the water aerated, filtered and circulating is key...

[joe7670]

I would guess it may work like an aquarium.

Boat was taken for PDI today and I will see how the in floor works and greatly consider this as an option.

[RidgeRunner]

It sounds like you are very close with the new Opti. Pictures?
Baitwells are a hot topic. No disrespect to reel or anyone else but I could not agree more with whatknot. It may have something to do with the water temperature or the bait. Greenbacks (threadfin herring) are my live bait of choice. They like swimming in circles with a steady flow of fresh saltwater, look at them wrong or put too many in the livewell and they are dead. My experience with mud minnows is that they require next to nothing for survival, shrimp, porgies, pinfish too just don't let the water get too warm. I ain't saying it can't be done but I never saw a recirculating system that would keep greenies alive.
As for the in deck livewell, hate it. The space there is good for fish on ice. I would say beer but I like easier access to the beer.