livewell...

[Red]

is it possible to make a "portable" live well, like from a cooler?  when i say portable i mean such that i dont have to attach anything or add holes to the boat?  if there is a way, how?  what do i need?  any info is much appreciated!!

Cliff

[fastcasterjo]

Kind of. There are kits for it at certain outdoor places. however, you need a 12 V battery typically they are simply a bilge pump with certain attachements. I think bait saver is one brand that uses just AA batteries. I would try that out if you dont mind bucketing. It really doesn't take too much to keep bass alive if you aerate the water and keep it cool. It only gets hard when you have high 90+ weather.

[Red]

well i am in TX so that might be an issue  ;D  

[IDbasser]

I think I have seen in BPS catalogs some aerators that go into ice chests for such a purpose.  Bottles of ice in it may keep the temp down on hot days.

[CFFF 1.5]

I fish tournament and my boat doesn't have a livewell. I have converted a regular size 96 quart cooler. Go buy two battery operated bubble boxes from wal-mart. Drill holes in the lid put tubes through holes fill with water and turn bubble boxes on. I have kept a 5 bass limit alive all day using this set up. Becuase the cooler is insulated it keeps the water cool all day when in the hot sun.

[fishizzle]

I've seen designs for some but don't know where.  The AA battery pump is for bait and not big enough for a limit of bass.  Do the fish a favor and get one that operates on a trolling battery.

[CFFF 1.5]

I use the bubble boxes that run on two D batteries and havne't lost a fish in 3 years of tournament fishing.

[Btech]

I have seen a little cage you attach to the side of the boat from BPS dont know how wll it works though.

[CGH]

http://hubpages.com/hub/Build-an-easy-portable-livewell

I had one that I was filling with a jug and then using a bilge pump to recirculate the water that has been working for years. I found this site and have since modified mine to use the pole method to both bring water into the cooler and to add fresh water Too.

Oh, BTW I Live in Texas too. Houston. So don't fret too much about the temps. Just change your water out often and your catch will be OK!

Copied from site above! Not My Ideal

Here's what you need.

1. A container. How big it is depends on what you are going to use it for. I use a 32 qt. cooler because it fits on my kayak. But a power boat has a lot more room.

2. Power. Check out my page on rechargeable AA battery packs. I use 6 AA batteries. Or, do your own thing.

3. A bilge pump. I've got some recommended at the bottom.

4. Hose. ¾" marine hose is best, but ¾" sprinkler pipe works for smaller applications. You'll need enough to put the pump in that water and to let the drain go back into the water.

5. 90 degree aerator nozzle ¾". (my selection is on the bottom)

6. 90 degree PVC elbow (for drainage). I find sprinkler fittings to work great for this.

7. 8" zip ties. These are to hold your live-well to the deck and prevent it from sliding around

8. Some bungee cords.

9. Drill and a 7/8" hole saw.

10. Marine or Plumbing Goop (glue).

11. Zip ties.

12. (Optional) Dremel tool and cutting wheels. If you don't have one, get one. I don't know what I like better, my Dremel or my safety-wire pliers.

Building

1. Drill a hole with the hole saw one side of the container where you want the water to come in.

2. Drill a drain hole ½" below and opposite the first hole.

3. Glue your aerator into the first hole

4. Glue PVC elbow for drainage into the second hole

5. Let glue set.

6. Attach your bilge pump to the hose at the length you need it. Wind the wires up and zip tie. Leave enough wire to connect to power supply.

7. When the glue is set, attach your drain hose. Mine goes right into the scuppers of my kayak. Plus I have an extra drain (elbow with no hose) for large swells.

8. Attach the hose with the pump to the aerator.

9. Modify as needed for your specific vessel. I put some zip-tie loops on mine for more securing options.

[CGH]

Just like mine before I redone it as mention above. Filling with jug was faster than using the pump for me at least. I hated to detach and reattach the hose to fill it up

Here is another one from An Ohio Fishing Board Board

This is a good set-up . The pump can be used to pump the water in or out . Then you hook it to the spray bar and it will add oxygen to the water.

Youtube Video from maker!  1.10 min long

[Dean]

CGH thats awesome! I'm so gonna do that haha.

[done]

I actually have a Walmart cooler and hush bubbles aereator I have been using for a year. Love it.

[TommyBass]

Great ideas... I have been planning on doing something very similar with the built in cooler / seat on my boat.  My livewell is only 11 gallons so I need something a little bigger.  Something like this should work for me too, just want to get it right the first time so I don't ruin my seat/cooler  

[Red]

thanks for all the great ideas guys.  i will let you know how it ends up!!

Cliff

[Brian B]

I used this method for a livewell for several years.....my advice is to get a bottle of catch and release from bps.  its amazing how much healthier the fish are at weigh-in after being in the cooler all day