why not bait tank in the front? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ocurtis · 05-17-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 05-17-2013, 04:16 PM

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 · 05-17-2013, 05:22 PM

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 · 05-17-2013, 05:40 PM

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 · 05-17-2013, 05:59 PM

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.

. Lets just say I know what a high position tank sloshing around can do to a kayak.

Cbad Mike · 05-17-2013, 06:23 PM

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

05-17-2013, 05:59 PM	#5
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	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.. Lets just say I know what a high position tank sloshing around can do to a kayak.

05-17-2013, 04:16 PM	#2
FishNinjaY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 428	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

05-17-2013, 05:22 PM	#3
IslanderFishing Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temecula Posts: 99	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!

05-17-2013, 05:40 PM	#4
IslanderFishing Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temecula Posts: 99	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.

05-17-2013, 06:23 PM	#6
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Bait tanks ARE mounted in the front of kayaks.... Its just seems like they aren't because everyone really sits backwards. DUH.