Bait Tank Setup?

[Mainah]

Hello, I am looking for bait tank advice. I have a 55 gallon drum at home with 450 small shiners . I am not happy with it due to how deep it is, so I'm looking to upgrade the setup for next season.

My main interest is what are you using for a filter and tank? I seem to be solid on the oxygen part. Any pictures would be appreciated. Thanks!

[GasBlaster]

Page through this post for ideas.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=202328.0

[Mainah]

thanks. i tried finding it but i couldn't. be back in about 37 pages!

[woodchip]

I really think these 2 old hot tubs could be set up to be very efficient.

[Mainah]

I really think these 2 old hot tubs could be set up to be very efficient.

LOL! that would be sweet.

[Mainah]

i still haven't found much on that link, just people talking about their ponds and how many shiners their getting. anybody have any pump info to chime in?

[V Menzone]

I have a 275gallon ibc container that cost about a hundred bucks, and a fillstar xp canister filter rated for a 300 gallon tank I paid 175 for.  Search online for best pricing on filters.  I keep 150-200 6-12inch goldens from October to april no problem.

[joefishmore]

You have 200 come April ? Don't you ever use any ?
Some big tanks for sale in Uncle Henrys

[V Menzone]

Theres not many left come April but the tank and filter could handle that capacity.

[Mainah]

I have a 275gallon ibc container that cost about a hundred bucks, and a fillstar xp canister filter rated for a 300 gallon tank I paid 175 for.  Search online for best pricing on filters.  I keep 150-200 6-12inch goldens from October to april no problem.

Now that's a setup!

[Mainah]

I am thinking of doing a chest freezer with some kind of pond pump?

[GasBlaster]

I am thinking of doing a chest freezer with some kind of pond pump?

This setup is still going strong . Only change is it's moved to a bigger tank now .



http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=89456.msg878590#msg878590

Couple of good ones here .

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=88998.0

[Mainah]

Gas Blaster, Nice setup! I think i am going to go with the first link. i like how compact and simple it is!

[Mainah]

have you had good results with your homemade filter?

[GasBlaster]

Ya it works good for me . Back in 08 I started changing it out every month or so . Now I go a full season Oct/Nov through to April on one filter setup . I have my pond pump in half a bait trap to keep fish from getting sucked into the intake . There is are bio balls from the pet store in with the pump . I don't feed the fish . I do bring back fresh lake water to the tank every fishing trip .
 

[GasBlaster]

I have it in an old ice chest from a theater . The kind they used  back when they scooped the ice for drinks . It had a big ice maker on top that's gone now .

[Coach]

I started off with this 102 quart cooler


...and then went to this 55 gal. barrel in the pond


.and now moved up to this which has almost 150 gal. in it

[Mainah]

how many gallons was that ice chest?

[GasBlaster]

how many gallons was that ice chest?

.  150 - 175

[Mainah]

Nice, thanks for sharing your setup.

[joefishmore]

I have  not been able to keep smelts very long during the spring trolling season. Any advice ?
Maybe the best advice is use shiners ?

[Mainah]

I have  not been able to keep smelts very long during the spring trolling season. Any advice ?
Maybe the best advice is use shiners ?

If you really want smelts, COLD water and lots of oxygen is key. you can't cram them like shiners either