Homemade livewell question ............

All,

After spending last weekend terribly distraught that many of my previously hooked spot didn't survive long enough to see the business end of a striper (at the gas docks), I vowed to return fully prepared.

Initially, I used a couple of those cheap floating bait buckets mostly used for minnows, etc. to hold a few spot each. That quickly failed so I used a cooler I had with me (maybe 20 gallon size) and kept swapping out water. That worked better but still wasn't good. By the end of the day - about 1/2 of the 30 spot I caught were pretty much done for. Thankfully they were big enough to bring home with us for fish fry ............ bonus.

Anyhow, I have most of the parts I think I need to build a decent homemade/portable livewell. I previously built one for my kayak which was my main avenue for fishing before the boat (even had my design published in Kayak Fishing magazine). It served it's purpose but wouldn't work for this application.

Thinking of either buying/finding an old cooler or using one of those storage bins you buy at Lowes/Home Depot. The cooler option is more sturdy but presents issues with properly fitting thru-hull peices and other fittings through the wall of the cooler. Some just aren't long enough and would lead me to rigging things up that aren't 100% kosher. It would work I think but might not be a long term solution/product.

The other option is buying a storage bin (hopefully one with sturdy walls) and plumbing everything to it. Down side is that filling it up might result in bulging and deformation of the bin itself and might lead to some flimsy walls when carrying the weight of the hardware and/or battery box housing some electronics.

First and foremost - any recommendations on sizing? I had a 48 qt cooler but that seems like it wouldn't take many spot to overwhelm it. Also don't want to go TOO big as I own a 2110 and a big livewell in addition to 2-3 people and a fish/drink cooler can quickly leave you with little room.

Want something decent that will work and not be a terrible eyesore but I am trying to do this all at a minimal cost. I have most of the peices I believe and other projects (namely hardwood floors in the living room/kitchen/hallway and possibly new tile flooring in the bathroom ............. to keep the wifey happy) have exhausted "project" funds.

Any input would be appreciated. I have a good idea of where I want to go with this but I am looking for some ideas that you all may have - things that worked for you, etc., that I can build into my own unit.

Thanks in advance.

My only suggestion would be to make the bait well round.

Plumb the inlet water at a 90 degree to allow the water to 'rotate' inside the bait well.
Then add a suitable drain to allow the funk to exit and keep the water from building up 'spot stuff'.

I'm thinking one of those blue 30 gallon drums with the top cut off...

I thought about that idea (and using even those party bins with handles - the kind you place a keg in sometimes) but my only concern was no cover/lid. Not worried about spillage but I figured it might be detrimental to having such a large surface area exposed with relatively shallow water = too much direct sun exposure = increased temps of water.

Any basis for such a concern?

Hannibal":279mo33r said:

I thought about that idea (and using even those party bins with handles - the kind you place a keg in sometimes) but my only concern was no cover/lid. Not worried about spillage ...

Click to expand...

COVER: I prefer a lid, keeps the sun off and does prevent sloshing around the deck. I have put a piece of hose or think 1/4" strip of HDPE or LDPE around the interior, a few inches down from the top, and have just pop-riveted that in place. Then I cut a round piece of 1/4" suitable plastic for the lid.

HEAT: IMHO taller or more depth would be preferable over wider or bigger in footprint. Oh, and ALWAYS go round!

See: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=773

or viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1093

I use one of the storage bins with a black cover. I use a 5 gallon bucket to fill it and an aerator made from PVC and a bilge pump to keep them fresh. Depending on how hot it is I may can eg some water every hour or so. I've had good luck but I plan on buying one of the round commercial models next year. The one I have now fits great between my motor and the splash guard.

I can take photos this weekend if you would like or I will see you at the gas docks.

Steve

Pretty much completed this last night aside for a few odds/ends.

My HR Department bought some new coolers so they have a few "extras" laying around. Took what I am guessing to be a 100 quart igloo cooler. Would say it's about 3.5'-4' long x 18" wide and 18" deep - give or take. Pretty large IMO.

Anyhow, I had two pumps laying around so I unscrewed the drain plug fitting and replace it with one of the pumps thru hull. That is then fitted to 3/4" hosing which then connects to 3/4" CPVC coupling reduced down via a 3/4" to 1/2" CPVC 90-elbow which then was cored into the top flange of the cooler (toward the back/hinged side of the cooler). It then connects to a long (full length of cooler) peice of 1/2" CPVC pipe with a cap on the end and holes drilled into it. This is attached via pipe supports (those u shaped peices) that are drilled into the cooler with SS screws (above the water line). This will be my aerator. If it works, it will pull water from the bottom of the cooler and push it through to the spray bar and help aerate the water (while circulating it vertically).

The other pump is attached to a 6' (approx) length of hosing that will be laid over the side of the boat into the water. It will pull in water to the cooler via a thru-hull fitting. On the inside, there is a 90-deg bend that will force water out in angle that should induce a counter clock-wise current to the water.

On the far side (which will be at the back of the boat) - short side of the cooler (under the handle) - there is a 1.5" thru-hull that will be the drain. Should allow for about a foot or so of water before draining.

Wiring wise - I installed an activity box under the hande (on the short side) just above the one pump. Wiring from both pumps is fed into the box where there are two switches. Each pump has its own on/off switch and fuse. Wires exit on the side closest to the back of the cooler where they are enclosed in corrogated wire loom which is attached to the back side of the cooler and run the length of it to the end that will sit next to my boats battery compartment.

Possitive and negative wires are spliced together (all splices with doubled up heat shrink) and then conencted to heavy guage alligator clips. These clips attach to one of the batteries.

Did a trial run last night and the one pump (that goes over the side) works fine - the other one is dead. Quickly figured out that it was because I never installed a fuse into the fuse holder - duh. And of course I didn't have a mini-blade in hand to install. Easy fix. So in theory, it should work just fine.

Once confirmed, I will run some water throught it, make any final adjustments to angles, etc and then clamp all hoses and cement the pipe fittings in place.

With the wiring, I will be able to run both pumps at the same time or independently. All wires are tucked away and water proofed. Entire system is completely removeable and storable.

Should hold PLENTY of spot this weekend and keep them alive for a LONG time.