Thread: Bait Tank

Fittin' ready to build a big live well. Probably in the 500 gallon range. I have the tank and other items but was wanting to get some pointers and ideas from others so I only have to do this once. If you have any do's and don'ts, the help would be appreciated. Planning on keeping bluebacks and possibly shad. I have one tank that is partitioned and may try using it to keep 3 different types of bait in. Bluebacks, shad and crappie minnows. Don't know if that will work though. Do alot of striper fishing in the winter and the price of bait, gas and oil is outrageous. I think with a 500 gallon tank I could keep quite a few and keep them healthy. Was planning on using a filtration system and aeration system also. Being in the winter, I don't think I will need any refridgeration but that may be necessary in the summer. Any ideas are much appreciated. If you have any websites bookmarked that has pictures or if you have some pictures would be great as well. I will post pictures on my progress. Maybe Snal will chime in with something as well. Hope this turns out as good as he SeaArk.

Thanks guys !!!!!

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I dont have anything bookmarked but--I went on line a while back at '' How to build a bait tank "" and they musta had 30 links, some with real good info, thats a lot of weigh, hope you can balance it out.

A friend of mine built a nice one like you are talking about a few monhts ago and it works good. Keeping the water in good shape is key. I think you have to let the water go through a cycle to let the bacteria set up first or you will lose a lot of bait. seeinstripes.com has a lot of info. on this stuff in thier forums. I will get some pics of my buddies tank next time I'm over at this house. see ya

Here is a c.c post I saved from a few months ago. It is a 50 gal. tank, just make everything 10 times bigger! :D

FAR AS DIVIDERS... WHEN I HAD MY BAIT SHOP I USED CONCRETE GASKET VAULT,WITH PVC LINER, WITH STAINLESS STEEL DRAIN AT ONE END AND USED PIECES OF PLEXIGLASS AS DIVIDERS AFTER I DRILLED A BUNCH OF HOLES TO LET THE WATER PASS THRU IT,, THEN PUT SMALLER MINNERS AT WATER INLET END AND LARGER BAIT AT THE DRAIN END.. WORKED GOOD FOR ME FOR MANY YEARS.. AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD CLEAN WATER SUPPLY CHLORINE FREE AND i LET MINE TRICKLE INTO IT TO KEEP WATER FRESH AND COOL.. GOOD HEALTHY BAIT IS A MUST!!!!

I'm sure you wont fill the 500 gallon to the top but water weighs just over 8 lbs a gallon.... 500 gallon = 4000 lbs. stick with a smaller tank (30-50) and put more toward filtration and aeration. a 50 gallon tank would weigh more than 400 lbs.

BigCrap.....I am building a bait holding tank, not one to carry on a boat. Looking to keep between 200-300 bluebacks for striper fishing. Thanks for your input, my Creekbank works just fine for the fishing trips.

I was cleaning the basement----again, and I found two pumps for those 12 foot above ground pools. I gave one away to someone who still had their above ground pool. It crossed my mind if you had a large bait tank those pumps might be good to areate with. You would have to make something to filter the scales before the built in filter or it would stop up a lot.----Just a thought----If you want the pump to try, just come get it.

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