How much bait in a Malibu Stealth tank?

[alanw]

I had a Stealth 12 and you can put a good amount of bait in it. I had as much as 2 kayak scoops of anchovies in there which is too much (tipping the bait guy goes a long way). They started dying off so I just released some until they stop dying. One scoop is a pretty good start, the less bait in the tank the longer they last.

For sardines one kayak scoop did fine with only a few of the weaker ones dying off.

For macs it depends on the size. I'd be good with up to a half dozen usually, then make more later if needed. I never really tried to see how many I could stuff in there. With macks sometimes you get calm ones that kinda of just sit there allowing you to have a few more, or you get these crazy energizer macks that will beat up anything in their path, meaning you can't keep too many at a time.

Also, with bait (anchovies especially) I found it critical to turn down the water flow valve so they didn't get tired out and die. Better yet, make sure to use a 6v battery for the pump along with turning the flow valve down a lot. What they need is fresh water, what they don't need is a tsunami to swim against.

If your bait has bloodied red noses, you probably have too many stuffed in the tank.

[CardShark]

Originally Posted by alanw

I had a Stealth 12 and you can put a good amount of bait in it. I had as much as 2 kayak scoops of anchovies in there which is too much (tipping the bait guy goes a long way). They started dying off so I just released some until they stop dying. One scoop is a pretty good start, the less bait in the tank the longer they last.

For sardines one kayak scoop did fine with only a few of the weaker ones dying off.

For macs it depends on the size. I'd be good with up to a half dozen usually, then make more later if needed. I never really tried to see how many I could stuff in there. With macks sometimes you get calm ones that kinda of just sit there allowing you to have a few more, or you get these crazy energizer macks that will beat up anything in their path, meaning you can't keep too many at a time.

Also, with bait (anchovies especially) I found it critical to turn down the water flow valve so they didn't get tired out and die. Better yet, make sure to use a 6v battery for the pump along with turning the flow valve down a lot. What they need is fresh water, what they don't need is a tsunami to swim against.

If your bait has bloodied red noses, you probably have too many stuffed in the tank.

Have you ever put bait in there without the pump on, with just the drain plug open? I've read that some people do that, which fills the bait tank up to the water line and as the kayak moves, fresh water is forced into the tank through the drain hole. For smaller bait, you might have to put a screen on there

[alanw]

Originally Posted by CardShark

Have you ever put bait in there without the pump on, with just the drain plug open? I've read that some people do that, which fills the bait tank up to the water line and as the kayak moves, fresh water is forced into the tank through the drain hole. For smaller bait, you might have to put a screen on there

Yep, I did that when I was undecided whether I wanted to drill a 1" hole in the bottom of my yak. I did use a garden hose screen in the hole to keep anchovies from exiting the tank. There just wasn't enough water in there to support a full kayak scoop of anchovies. It should work fine for a smaller amount of bait but I just never tested it that long before installing the pump.

[CardShark]

Originally Posted by alanw

Yep, I did that when I was undecided whether I wanted to drill a 1" hole in the bottom of my yak. I did use a garden hose screen in the hole to keep anchovies from exiting the tank. There just wasn't enough water in there to support a full kayak scoop of anchovies. It should work fine for a smaller amount of bait but I just never tested it that long before installing the pump.

How much water was in there, about half way? Was there decent water movement in and out when you're sitting still or do you have to be moving?

[ccacher1]

Originally Posted by CardShark

How much water was in there, about half way? Was there decent water movement in and out when you're sitting still or do you have to be moving?

I have a stealth 9 and I also wasn't sure if I wanted to install a pump in the bottom. I'd say just letting the water come and go with the plug in it fills the tank about half way, yes. Water will still flow in and out when sitting still but probably not as much. Definitely can keep more bait alive if you are pumping water though. I was also told you can screw a 90 degree angle tube into the bottom of the kayak which would force water in when moving forward but I didn't try this...seems like a good idea though.

[walrus]

Here's my experienced opinion on using a Stealth with bait pump. After six months I quit using the bait pump all together, and just pulled the drain plug.

I liked ten sardines or macs. They would be fresh and lively after several hours in the tank. However, you should experiment with the number because the water level depends on the stealth size (weight capacity) and your weight.

The one inch drain hole was large enough that it did not require me to be on the move to keep the water fresh. A screen is required.

One reason the bait was still fresh was a pump creates a current in the tank, bait will wear down constantly swimming in a current.

I also took out the window hatch and replaced it with a solid twist and lock. every time your arm or leg cast a shadow over the window hatch the bait will panic, this wears them down and they sometimes they'll get injured. Open the smaller hatch (not the entire lid) a minimum amount, slip your hand in, and you'll often find them still leisurely circling in the tank until your fingers wrap around them. It's the shadows above that spooks them.

Remember, if you're a fresh water fisherman or you go ashore when you get out of the kayak, it floats higher and no water is left in the bait tank for the bait. If you go ashore, a bait pump is needed.

Good luck, this is just my experiences.

[CardShark]

Originally Posted by walrus

Here's my experienced opinion on using a Stealth with bait pump. After six months I quit using the bait pump all together, and just pulled the drain plug.

I liked ten sardines or macs. They would be fresh and lively after several hours in the tank. However, you should experiment with the number because the water level depends on the stealth size (weight capacity) and your weight.

The one inch drain hole was large enough that it did not require me to be on the move to keep the water fresh. A screen is required.

One reason the bait was still fresh was a pump creates a current in the tank, bait will wear down constantly swimming in a current.

I also took out the window hatch and replaced it with a solid twist and lock. every time your arm or leg cast a shadow over the window hatch the bait will panic, this wears them down and they sometimes they'll get injured. Open the smaller hatch (not the entire lid) a minimum amount, slip your hand in, and you'll often find them still leisurely circling in the tank until your fingers wrap around them. It's the shadows above that spooks them.

Remember, if you're a fresh water fisherman or you go ashore when you get out of the kayak, it floats higher and no water is left in the bait tank for the bait. If you go ashore, a bait pump is needed.

Good luck, this is just my experiences.

Thanks, good tips