10' Jon Boat and a Livewell.

[jax]

What do you use for a livewell on a 10' Jon boat? I don't have $200 to spend on one. Do the coolers with and airrater work decently? How rough is it for the fish in one of the metal baskets that you hang from the side of your boat? I plan on filleting them at the end of the day but I don't have the heart to put them on a stringer.

[ptomacbass]

don't bother filleting em just let em go it's easier

[bass slayer21]

just dont keep them if you want fish just catch some gills taste better to.

[Daniel My Brother]

If you plan on eating your catch, no reason to bother with a livewell. Just pack a cooler with some ice and toss the fish on top. They are easier to clean after they've sat on ice for a bit.

I'll suggest keeping the little ones. They taste better and are more abundant in most lakes.

[Wayne P.]

A large cooler with an aerator installed works fine. You can get both at Walmart. I have that setup for small lake tournaments when I use my 12' jon boat.

[Grey Wolf]

If you plan on eating your catch, no reason to bother with a livewell. Just pack a cooler with some ice and toss the fish on top. They are easier to clean after they've sat on ice for a bit.

I'll suggest keeping the little ones. They taste better and are more abundant in most lakes.

x2

[jax]

I plan on moving some of them to a friends pond. He wants to start stocking his pond. That is the main reason for the livewell.

I do plan on eating some though. I grew up eating bass and blue gill. Its been a LONG time since I have had any though.

What is a good eating size? 12" I assume?

[J Francho]

There really isn't any excuse for ignorance of the laws.  Please refer to p. 44 for minimum size requirements and bag limits for the state of Indiana: http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/2008_Rec_Fish_Guide_lo.pdf.  Also see p. 49 for special lake rules.