Author Topic: John F's DIY Livebait Bucket (Read 12810 times)

John F · « **on:** July 15, 2010, 02:06:59 AM »

Ok, this one is for those guys like me that:

1. Have a small boat with no extra space for a proper, fixed, live bait well;

2. Want something that is portable and can be taken to the beach and moved from spot to spot (ouch!);

3. Just DON' T want to cough up the cash to buy one!

4. Actually take pleasure building your stuff AND using it (and showing it off if it works!!!).

What you need:

1. Old 25 L plastic bucket with a lid (paint buckets are perfect);
2. 1/2' garden hose (about 20 cm long);
3. Battery operated pump;
4. Aquarium air tubing (50 cm);
5. Cable ties;
6. Aquarium air stone;
7. Air flow regulator
8. Air flow splitter
9. Little L shaped plastic fitting (optional)
10. Glue gun

Please see the pics below. They are pretty self-explanatory with regards to putting everything together.

The way it works is actually very simple.

1. Fill the bucket with salt/fresh water up to the last cable tie (the hose should be sticking out about 2,5-3 cm);

2. The air coming from the pump is splitted in two directions: one goes straight to the air stone which will provide small air bubbles to provide the much needed oxygen for your bait; and the second one goes into the lower end of the hose.

3. This is the tricky part. The system works on the air lift principle (people who keep aquariums know this stuff!). When the air is injected into the lower part of the hose, it goes up, and mixes with the water inside the hose. The pressure from the air coming up and the water-bubble mix makes the water inside the hose lighter so it climbs up to a level a bit higher that the water level in the bucket. There are all sorts of complicated calculations but as long as the hose is not too large, the pump too weak, and the length of the hose sticking out too long it should be ok.

4. What do you get? Water circulation and oxygen!!!! Water coming from the bottom and being spurred out on top. You can add a bit of cotton inside the hose to act as a filter...

5. Now, don't forget that this is only a 25 L bucket. Depending on the size of the bait, quantity of fish inside and resilience of each species, the water must be changed frequently.... 15 min, 20 min, etc. Just dump half a bucket of fresh (=new) water. If standing in the sun, it could be a good idea to put in a small icepack inside just to keep it cool... DON'T put too many fish in!

It works for me.

Cheers

John F · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2010, 02:12:02 AM »

A few more pics....

John F · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2010, 02:15:58 AM »

One more...

If moving around on the beach, just take some water out so you can carry the bucket (or take a buddy along to do it) and as soon as you reach your spot pour some water in...

On the boat, just close the lid...

Cheers

John F's out to bed now!

tubs the sea saver · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2010, 03:52:14 AM »

fantastic guy have some cred

Sharkslayer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2010, 06:37:58 AM »

Exelent post ..Thanks
Sakkie walks away scheming which bucket of the Greek he will confiscate

SAfish · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2010, 10:01:02 AM »

Awesome post.

I know what I'll be doing this weekend! Thanks Buddy.

benniejordaan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2010, 02:13:45 PM »

Full of surprises aren't you? Very nice!

John F · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2010, 07:33:33 PM »

Glad you guys liked it... I hope someone makes use of this...

Kumz · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2010, 03:37:59 AM »

Super post! Thanks for sharing !;)

maasbanker · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2010, 11:59:11 AM »

This is something even I can do !!!

Mouse · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2010, 07:20:16 PM »

Hi
I cant see the pics , am i missing a setting

thanks
mouse

John F · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2010, 07:36:45 PM »

Hey Mouse, will try upload the pics tomorrow... sorry about this

Mouse · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2010, 07:39:29 PM »

Thank goodness , i thought i was being dumb lol

John F · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2010, 07:42:09 PM »

No, no... Admin deleted due to space restrictions ... anyway I'll post some "lighter" pics tommorow

John F · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2010, 12:49:32 PM »

Mouse et al.,
"lighter" pics have been uploaded...

Mouse · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2010, 02:14:20 PM »

Thats quite brilliant

Thanks :fnx:

riaandl · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2010, 04:46:46 PM »

Very good idea, we use a 50lt HTH drum at the moment and it also work very good. We just replace the water about every 20 min or so with 10 - 15lt of fresh water.

SAfish · « **Reply #17 on:** August 16, 2010, 05:49:11 PM »

Is there going to be a pressure build-up if you have the lid closed for a prolonged period and if so don't you need a "breather hole" to let some air escape?? Will the fish stay alive over night if left without a water change?

John F · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2010, 07:40:29 PM »

Hey SA,
I wouldn't know... I never keep the lid closed for long periods... I suppose that if the number f baits inside the bucket is not very high they could survive... only one way to know...

SAfish · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2010, 07:54:45 PM »

Thanks for the feedback. I normally only keep up to 5 mullet and catch more when I need more.

Author Topic: John F's DIY Livebait Bucket (Read 12810 times)

tubs the sea saver

benniejordaan