why not bait tank in the front?

[boxturtle]

Is there a reason why a bait tank is not placed in the front of a kayak? I just picked up a mini x and now trying to build a bait tank. The mini is short enough that im able to reach the fromt area with ease. I had a hobie before and reaching back for bait got old. Besides i like throwing fish in the back of the kayak. Would front heavy kayak mess up the trackin? Any other problems?

[MrPatrick]

A bait tank in the front is going to get hit by waves when launching. When landing if you drain it the added weight wouldn't be too bad. If you made it out off a soft cooler you could drain it and flatten it. In the past I would sometimes put a small bait tank on the front of my FND Cobra. You could even use a pitcher ,pouring occasionally to keep bait alive.

[jorluivil]

A gallon of water weighs just over 8lbs, if your tank holds 3gallons that's 24lbs
The typical 6v battery weighs just shy of 5lbs
I'm assuming the tank itself will weigh 4-5lbs
30lbs of additional weight on the bow
Whenever you need another piece of bait you'll have to somehow reach for it.

[JeffB]

Not only what jorluivil said, but it's gonna catch the wind as well. I watched my buddy put one on the front of his fish n dive and was hurting. He drained it and it still caught the wind.learn from his mistake, lol!

[boxturtle]

thanks guys i knew there is always a reason why people do it a certain way :)

[Old Man in the Sea]

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea:kayak-surfer:
http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

[Raskal311]

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea:kayak-surfer:
http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

That would have been a much better video without all of the extra editing.

[bigbarrels]

yep, increase your chance of pearling coming in if you get on a wave

[ocurtis]

Is there a reason why a bait tank is not placed in the front of a kayak? I just picked up a mini x and now trying to build a bait tank. The mini is short enough that im able to reach the fromt area with ease. I had a hobie before and reaching back for bait got old. Besides i like throwing fish in the back of the kayak. Would front heavy kayak mess up the trackin? Any other problems?


I have an old Mini X that I actually turned the front hatch into a bait tank. I built my own and it is actually inside the hatch. It worked great, but it was very small (the hatch is tiny up there.) I could really only get 2 fish in their... I would drain it on the way in.

[FishNinjaY]

I'm going to put my large vittles vault bait tank up in the front seat of my Hobie Oasis tandem, when I'm going solo. I think I'll put it sideways or facing back towards me. This will act as needed ballast. I have an inlet tube adjustment to make to get it to fit out the smaller scupper hole beneath the seat. I'll post pics if/when I do this and let you know how it works.

Any ideas or advice? It should work fine, right?

Thanks..
-J

[IslanderFishing]

I was thinking something similar since I also have an Oasis. I figured out a different way...I turned the Hobie bait tank backwards in the front seat and was able to insert the inlet and outlet tubes through the front scupper holes. Just had to place a Stearns PFD Utility Cushion below the tank to level it out. Longer inlet and outlet tubes might be needed though. I did not test it out, but should have worked. I actually decided to keep my bait tank in the back and buy the Sumo Sac 125 ballast bag instead.

Please let me know how the large vittles vault bait tank in the front seat works out. Thanks for sharing!

[IslanderFishing]

Hobie bait tank was turned backwards in the rear above rear mirage drive. I was trying to sit in the front when solo. Sorry for the mix up.

[StinkyMatt]

Just be carefully about mounting the tank in a high position. The center of gravity is GREaTLY affected.

Do t ask me how I know.:D. Lets just say I know what a high position tank sloshing around can do to a kayak.:eek:

[Cbad Mike]

Bait tanks ARE mounted in the front of kayaks.... Its just seems like they aren't because everyone really sits backwards. DUH.

[boxturtle]

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea:kayak-surfer:
http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

Thats classic!

[FishNinjaY]

In this instructional video, our guide Tony has converted his front hatch into an extra bait tank to hold about 50lbs of spanish mackrel...well you get the idea:kayak-surfer:
http://youtu.be/NYqcHE4WVSs

HAHA... hey.. that's my vittles vault livewell.. uh oh.. :eek: