Next Project - Bait Tube - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

goldenglory18 · 09-15-2017, 11:53 AM

So now that my electronics rig is almost complete, and I'll be able to better locate inshore structure, I think its time to tackle live bait storage.

I've decided to try my hand at making a bait tube. For this I've gone with a 2', 4" diameter ABS tube with drainage covers for the caps. I will have a hinged (solid brass) opening for bait access, and will bungee cord the access door for security, and run a line through the tube to secure the caps shut (instead of cement for ease of cleaning.)

For those of you that have gone this route before, have you felt that just having the ends open gives enough water flow to keep the bait alive? I've seen some that have cross-drilled the tubes and can't decide if that would make it any better or if its worth the hassle (its a lot more of a hassle for me as most of my drilling/cutting is dremmel based these days. Yay SoCal apartment living...)

Also, does the ABS tube cause enough buoyancy that you don't need to add a float? I'd like to have this trailed behind me while paddling and have it pinned next to me while I fish/drift so I'll need to add hardware somewhere on it for that.

Looking forward to everyone's suggestions!

Denis_Ruso · 09-15-2017, 01:24 PM

Flow is enough to keep the bait alive. What I found though is I drilled out additional spacing in the front grate due to drag. Those caps have a lot of flat surface area, therefore the more you can smooth that out or reduce the amount of plastic on the front cap, the less drag you will have.

filippo · 09-15-2017, 01:27 PM

A suggestion: Save time and get the Torpedo Bait Bucket. $40. 0 drag. Super, super light. Holds about 5 huge macs, more medium sized ones, and a lot more small ones. In all my trips all bait survived and thrived. Check it out: www.torpedobaitbuckets.com (I'm not affiliated).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lf4eExrLiw

Buddy gave me his DIY one before I bought the Torpedo and found it too bulky and heavy. He actually ordered one too even though he's got the Hobie tank.

2-Stix · 09-15-2017, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filippo

A suggestion: Save time and get the Torpedo Bait Bucket. $40. 0 drag. Super, super light. Holds about 5 huge macs, more medium sized ones, and a lot more small ones. In all my trips all bait survived and thrived. Check it out: www.torpedobaitbuckets.com (I'm not affiliated).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lf4eExrLiw

Buddy gave me his DIY one before I bought the Torpedo and found it too bulky and heavy. He actually ordered one too even though he's got the Hobie tank.

x2. I made a tube...and it was a really good one and still sucked pretty bad.

goldenglory18 · 09-20-2017, 07:21 AM

Now that I figured out how much my DIY project is going to cost, I realize its about the same as the Torpedo.

Filippo, how has yours held up? A lot of discussion on other forums and on youtube about how cheap and poorly made it is. I figure I can build something stronger, but if its actually ok, I might just go with it and DIY the improvements necessary.

Anyone else have experience with the Torpedo?

Mahigeer · 09-20-2017, 07:41 AM

Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be.

I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks.

To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00.

We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch.

We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel.

No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

filippo · 09-20-2017, 09:57 AM

It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business

(hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer.

I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

goldenglory18 · 09-20-2017, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be.

I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks. To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00. We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch. We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel. No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

I agree (I'm a tournament bass angler so live/cut bait is a new deal to me anyway) but when you need it, it would be nice to have the option. Especially since this thing is so lightweight and easy to stow away until needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by filippo

It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business

(hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer.

I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

Good to hear. If I go this route, your review gives me some confidence in the product. What I've read so far is definitely negative heavy.

Thanks again everyone...

GTboosted · 09-15-2017, 01:28 PM

Depending on the bait you plan on keeping, you might want to smooth out the cut outs(ends or any additional). Baits beat themselves up against smooth tank walls so I'm sure these openings can damage them more.

If you have sandpaper laying around it might be worth the hassle.

09-15-2017, 11:53 AM	#1
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Next Project - Bait Tube So now that my electronics rig is almost complete, and I'll be able to better locate inshore structure, I think its time to tackle live bait storage. I've decided to try my hand at making a bait tube. For this I've gone with a 2', 4" diameter ABS tube with drainage covers for the caps. I will have a hinged (solid brass) opening for bait access, and will bungee cord the access door for security, and run a line through the tube to secure the caps shut (instead of cement for ease of cleaning.) For those of you that have gone this route before, have you felt that just having the ends open gives enough water flow to keep the bait alive? I've seen some that have cross-drilled the tubes and can't decide if that would make it any better or if its worth the hassle (its a lot more of a hassle for me as most of my drilling/cutting is dremmel based these days. Yay SoCal apartment living...) Also, does the ABS tube cause enough buoyancy that you don't need to add a float? I'd like to have this trailed behind me while paddling and have it pinned next to me while I fish/drift so I'll need to add hardware somewhere on it for that. Looking forward to everyone's suggestions!

09-15-2017, 01:24 PM	#2
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	Flow is enough to keep the bait alive. What I found though is I drilled out additional spacing in the front grate due to drag. Those caps have a lot of flat surface area, therefore the more you can smooth that out or reduce the amount of plastic on the front cap, the less drag you will have. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

09-15-2017, 01:28 PM	#9
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	Depending on the bait you plan on keeping, you might want to smooth out the cut outs(ends or any additional). Baits beat themselves up against smooth tank walls so I'm sure these openings can damage them more. If you have sandpaper laying around it might be worth the hassle. __________________ -Beto

09-15-2017, 01:27 PM	#3
filippo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 125	A suggestion: Save time and get the Torpedo Bait Bucket. $40. 0 drag. Super, super light. Holds about 5 huge macs, more medium sized ones, and a lot more small ones. In all my trips all bait survived and thrived. Check it out: www.torpedobaitbuckets.com (I'm not affiliated). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lf4eExrLiw Buddy gave me his DIY one before I bought the Torpedo and found it too bulky and heavy. He actually ordered one too even though he's got the Hobie tank.

09-20-2017, 07:21 AM	#5
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Now that I figured out how much my DIY project is going to cost, I realize its about the same as the Torpedo. Filippo, how has yours held up? A lot of discussion on other forums and on youtube about how cheap and poorly made it is. I figure I can build something stronger, but if its actually ok, I might just go with it and DIY the improvements necessary. Anyone else have experience with the Torpedo?

09-20-2017, 07:41 AM	#6
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,862	Live bait is not all that is cracked up to be. I have been invited to go on a private boat twice in the last 3 weeks. To chip in for expense I paid for live bait. $45.00 and $40.00. We fished the kelp beds at San Onorfe (spl?) and one bass was the catch. We did much better with bottom fishing with cut mackerel. No sign of tuna or yellowtail.

09-20-2017, 09:57 AM	#7
filippo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 125	It's a holding up great! Yes, the door is a bit frustrating to open at times, but you get used to and I prefer it this way rather then being too easy and losing bait. It's really, really light, but I've never doubted it'd be break and I've never had issues with it. I actually considered buying a 2nd one as backup in case the company would ever go out of business (hopefully not!!!), but haven't yet simply because I just don't seeing it breaking. For $40, it's a no brainer. I'll be kayaking SD bay on Sat AM, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.