Comments on: Building a Live Bait Well For A Small Boat

By: robin510

robin510 — Mon, 12 May 2014 06:19:16 +0000

Thanks so much. This is the better of the bunch DIY baitwell instructions. Ive made 2 already. Thanks again for the info!

By: Steven A. Kacer

Steven A. Kacer — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:47:14 +0000

Enjoying the bait tank you made. Well I am in progress of making my own from a 20 gallon Igloo ice chest. I drilled two holes one for a inlet at the bottom of the cooler and one for a outlet near the top. I placed a pump that pushes 2.8 GPM. to a hanger I atached to the hull. Then dirrect wird it to a on of tago swich.. All is in shrink wrap as to the connections. Providing both a dirrect connection with a manual shut of switch then a set of jumpers that can be connected to the battery. It should work well we will see in a mounth when I go out to the lady the sea agian. Thanks as alwayes this place has given me knowladge that was helpfull. Your friend Steve.

By: tracy

tracy — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:57:40 +0000

great design for a whaler! i have a smaller 17ft. jon boat…i have already made a bait well but it does not recirculate.this would be a simple switch to make.the only question i have,does the recirculating action kill the need to aerate with bubbler altogether as it is fresh water constantly being supplied

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:20:54 +0000

This is the best Ice cooler plans I have found I aqm going to make one

By: jimmyboy

jimmyboy — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:21:44 +0000

hi guys i have a small 12 footer and i also have a live well that is portable and removerble and the best way to keep the water replentished is definatly have the inlet nearer the bottom and the outlet near the top i get my power for my bilge pump with a small power pack 600 and is fully enclosed so no worry about spilling the battery acid and small in size easy to handle hope this helps cheers

By: richard

richard — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:22:31 +0000

I have a 14 ft boat im going to do one just like yours but with the water comming in from the bottom and comming out at the top ,super cool thanks for the post

By: Bob Davenport

Bob Davenport — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:23:20 +0000

Tom thanks for the aritle and instructions on installation. I just had the leaning post/live well combination removed from my boat ( installing two nice captins chairs)_ and was trying to figure out what to do with the hose that went to the live well. Now I know thanks to you. I’m making my way over to Walmart to see what kind of tank I like. Agin many thanks…..Bob

By: mkay

mkay — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:26:38 +0000

ddakota is correct.i’ve been using live bait for more then 30 years.i piped my live well from the bottom with a 90 degree fitting aimed to circulate the water.i’ve had pilchards& google eyes live for days.i also put a check valve in the line because i use the same thruhule for a wash down hose or when i use shrimp i can turn the pump off and it won’t backsiphon

By: sandra

sandra — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:05:48 +0000

the man is right about the inlet should be at the bottom of the tank, my husband built ours and we put shag in it for stripe fishing, the shag keeps longer…the round well are better, they dont live long in a square cooler.

By: Tom Stout

Tom Stout — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:08:17 +0000

Awesome! Thanks for this info with photos. I own a 17 ft. Montaulk. I will place the supply up at the top so it is easier to hang the pump overboard, but I will install clear flexible hose to the bottom of the cooler so that it will cause a circular flow from the bottom to the top where the spillway will be.