Getting ready to fill the bait tank

[capt.shay]

Been fattening the little buggers up.
I don't think I'll have to hard of a time
netting them up









Some are getting pretty big!

[FishingNewEngland]

That's a healthy dose of bait Capt!

[JustOsmo]

if that a private pond or something?

[FishingNewEngland]

He'll never tell. 

[DasRottweiler]

LOL, he`s gonna have to switch cars a couple of times to make sure we aren`t following him!

[pikeking]

Nice, looks like you are all set...

[JustOsmo]

damn, i need to find a little pond to stock now lol. well next year...

[FishingNewEngland]

d**n, i need to find a little pond to stock now lol. well next year...

I just google mapped Webster, MA and looked at several places I'd try to trap bait. Toss a trap out and see how you do.

[the_mad_iceman]

I threw my traps out last week for the first time last week to see what is out there..... Found the honey hole, just a little 1 hour soak and had 8-8" chubs in both of my traps... LOOK OUT Muskies!

[JustOsmo]

I just google mapped Webster, MA and looked at several places I'd try to trap bait. Toss a trap out and see how you do.

What kinda trap do you use? Imma go look around for one maybe.

[JustOsmo]

Im looking at BPS and cabelas and they have round and square. Does it matter which you get or do they all work the same? vinyl coated or galvanized?

I need to build myself a bait tank still. THe tiny fish tank i used lasts eason sucked.

[FishingNewEngland]

Im looking at BPS and cabelas and they have round and square. Does it matter which you get or do they all work the same? vinyl coated or galvanized?

I need to build myself a bait tank still. THe tiny fish tank i used lasts eason sucked.

I use the round with the center extension. Black ones.

[big jim callahan]

Go with black coated traps and camo rope cuts down on trap theft or you could make some cheap traps with 2 liter soda bottels Just cut the end off and invert it and punch a bunch of holes in it so it sinks Sounds hokey but it does work Also walmart sells traps at a fairly good price both galvinized and coated just paint the galvinized traps 

[knotreelly]

very nice capt, great pics of your bait, hope you have many  with them

[pikeking]

I bought a new Filstar XP2 canister filter for my tank. No more dead bait!!!

I got it on Ebay for 95.oo with shipping. Not a bad deal!!!

[Iceholes]

I need to build myself a bait tank still. THe tiny fish tank i used lasts eason sucked.

A trip to Walmart and the tank can be built for under 50 bucks.  I started mine out last year.  A 50 gallon tote, a couple small aerorators and a simple 30-60 gallon filter.  Ran it form October thru March and had bait in my basement all winter!

Think I will start soaking the traps this week!

[JustOsmo]

A trip to Walmart and the tank can be built for under 50 bucks.  I started mine out last year.  A 50 gallon tote, a couple small aerorators and a simple 30-60 gallon filter.  Ran it form October thru March and had bait in my basement all winter!

Think I will start soaking the traps this week!

Problem for me was i had a small filter and didnt change it often enough. They all started to get bad infections int heir face by the endof the season. Their jaws like woudl lock up and turn bright red. Was nasty. I started having to throw them all away.

[FishingNewEngland]

Problem for me was i had a small filter and didnt change it often enough. They all started to get bad infections int heir face by the endof the season. Their jaws like woudl lock up and turn bright red. Was nasty. I started having to throw them all away.

Were you feeding them all winter? You shouldn't be. Also, be sure and keep them cold. I keep mine in my unheated garage and have no problems.

[JustOsmo]

Were you feeding them all winter? You shouldn't be. Also, be sure and keep them cold. I keep mine in my unheated garage and have no problems.

I fed them once a week. I guess that was a mistake?

I kept them in my dirt cellar that stays at around 50 during the winter. Maybe even colder depending on if i open the windows.

[FishingNewEngland]

Ideally, you'd want it cooler than 50 degrees. Below 40, you won't need to feed them.

[Iceholes]

I keep mine in my bulkhead.  Almost like being outside but just a bit warmer.  A couple of cold spells last year and i had an inch of ice in some sections of the tank, but this was not a problem for me.  Broke it in big chunks and removed, then replaced water.

Drove by my bait honey hole yesterday and it is almost dried up!

[JustOsmo]

Ideally, you'd want it cooler than 50 degrees. Below 40, you won't need to feed them.

I never took the temp but like i said its a dirt cellar so it really stays about what 10 degrees warmer then the outside temp?

[pikeking]

I keep mine in my bulkhead.  Almost like being outside but just a bit warmer.  A couple of cold spells last year and i had an inch of ice in some sections of the tank, but this was not a problem for me.  Broke it in big chunks and removed, then replaced water.

Drove by my bait honey hole yesterday and it is almost dried up!

Should be easier to catch the bait then... Better get them before the birds do...

[rickyriged]

was  just thinking about it i also need to set up bait tankthis winter
my dads closing his bait shopat end of month
but already have every thing he used those wash basins you would put in basement
has drain in bottom with shut off put 5 gallon bucket under and open makes changing water esier
have not had to buy bait by dozen ever would buy by the pound much cheeper

[BaitWrangler]

If anyone needs assistance with tank or filter's feel free to utilize me.

My overall suggestion however is to try to find a stock tank. There are tons around and if you search hard enough you can probably find one at a good enough price.  The price has come down on them a lot as well. I use to see them for about $400 now I see Rubbermaids for about $225. If you know of farm supply stores local or wholesale they are good places to ask as you may be able to get one thats not Rubbermaid for half the price.