Last year about this time I started hatching the idea to make an effective, low cost alternative to a big expensive bait tank. What I ultimately settled on was this design:

For many reasons, this project got put on the back burner, and eventually duck season rolled around and it never got done. Fast forward a year, and Tay and I have been talking about a trip up for Stripers on Texoma. Only problem- no way to keep shad alive. Again, I priced out a bunch of industry standard tanks that were way too big for my boat and way too expensive and once again I thought: "Dammit, I'm going to build one!". After a six pack and an evening in the garage, this was the result:

Happy to report it kept about 3 dozen shad alive for 3.5hrs with absolutely no issues whatsoever. It was actually pretty fun to build (the beer helped) and total cost was $65

I'll spare everyone the video of my less than exemplary cast net chucking.

The REAL payoff:



Great to see Fishboy Frank, BlueTuna Terry, and Silversides Mark out there. Both of our fish came right at sunset tonight and both on live shad. So nice to feel a Hybrid on the other end after a long hiatus. Texoma bound with a proper DIY bait tank! Gonna hang us a biggun!

Nice going! Its kind of like the one I built!

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7870030/

Yours was indeed a large part of the inspiration. Original thread from last year: http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/9143533/Re:_Tanks_For_Da_Bait,_Eh!#Post9143533

Good deal.. glad I could help.. I like the discharge pipe ideal you have .. it might be easier to set - adjust or lack there of than the air hose I use.

Nice work .. sometimes the fun is also in the building ..

Give me a holler when you head to texoma. We are going up this Sat, Odds are high we will be working the area around Mill Creek and hiding from the wind behind the islands.


-rob

Good job Carson! Next time you have a project let me know! I'll help you....with the beer

are the holes in the bazooka screen big enough for the scales to pass through? I like the idea. it is better than my ghetto approach.

Looks good. Can you please post actual pictures and what parts I need to get to build one? I'm in the same boat as you... other tanks are too big and expensive.
Thanks!

If you're buying! I know how you go through diet milk...



Will do. We'll probably be somewheres near there. Plan is to fish for a bit and then go find a spot to swim and beach it a little bit. Hopefully we can hook up and clank a brewski!

PM sent.



Seem to be big enough. Its actually a lint trap for a washing machine stretched over the pickup tube. I am using a coarse scotch bright industrial scrub pad and it seems to work ok at filtering scales. Make sure to put your bait in a 5gal bucket of water for a few min just to shed most of their scales before you put in your tank.