Live bait photos

[Jack Perdew]

I got a 100 gal stock tank hooked to a pool filter so I can keep minnows and sucker fish all week. Just in case there no shad. 

[J-Doc]

I turn the aerator on auto and let it overflow out the back.  My rig has an overflow and not a recirculation pump.  I thought about adding the recirc later but that's expensive compared to just buying a $20 bilge pump and some hose. :-) Does the same, just not as convenient. 

 

Changing water does help.  I also use "Please Release Me" granules. Seems to help in the summer. 

 

I've kept brooders alive in my live well for almost 3 weeks by changing water, feeding them goldfish food, and carefully using chlorine adapting solution. 

[Champ188]

42 minutes ago, J-Doc said:

 I thought about adding the recirc later but that's expensive compared to just buying a $20 bilge pump and some hose. :-) Does the same, just not as convenient.

According to the Ranger website, the recirculating livewell is a $97 option. You could probably take your boat over to the plant and get it upgraded for no more than that.

[Stump bumper]

Has anyone ever got a striper on a goldfish? I know that would not be a target food for them but I have always wondered if that different color swimming around in a massive school of shad would get their attention. 

[Dan the fisherman]

19 hours ago, Jack Perdew said:

I got a 100 gal stock tank hooked to a pool filter so I can keep minnows and sucker fish all week. Just in case there no shad. 

That's what I got going on too 

[J-Doc]

18 hours ago, Champ188 said:

According to the Ranger website, the recirculating livewell is a $97 option. You could probably take your boat over to the plant and get it upgraded for no more than that.

While I appreciate the suggestion, I seriously doubt they would install it for that price.  That's the "new" install when the boat is being assembled.  They are so swamped over there, I doubt the would take the time to fit me in for something like that.  I could be wrong.  They would probably tell me to take it to my dealer and order part number "XYZ".  I have to pull the batteries & fuel tank out to get to the drain below the livewell and then tie into the drain lines, route the electrical, etc.  It's probably a 2-3hr job.  At the least pull the batteries for a tie-in to the drain line.  At local rates of labor that's roughly $300-400 with parts, taxes, etc.

Not trying to argue or be a pessimist.  Just basing my gut feeling based on what I've already read from others on the BBC board who have dealt with factory work and adjustments.  They (Ranger) can and will do things like adding jackplates but they have been swamped greatly with orders for the last 2yrs.  Not including warranty work and hull repairs on the aluminum lineup alone.  I could do the work myself and save a ton but.......I like my warranty. I'd rather leave it alone and just pay someone to do the work these days.  I've grown spoiled to that and my dealer does great work. :-)

I'll stick with the portable $20 option for now.  If I can find an easy way to install the recirc pump and controls, I just may get that done.

 

Sorry.......I'm WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY off topic.

[J-Doc]

19 hours ago, Jack Perdew said:

I got a 100 gal stock tank hooked to a pool filter so I can keep minnows and sucker fish all week. Just in case there no shad. 

I looked into that this summer.  I even used an old aquarium we had lying around to keep striper minnows for a few weeks.  They eventually yelled "jail break" and LITERALLY jumped out of the aquarium.  The had to push the lid off the aquarium to get out.  Lost half of them and I had a dozen plus.  It was a pain changing out the water frequently so a large tank is needed with a drain and you have to babysit the little buggers. 

By the time you invest in a tank, bubbler, chlorine treatment, etc......it added up quick.  There's also the need for insulation to keep the water around 60 degrees or colder.

Wish I had a nice setup and insulated shop to keep something like a 100gal stock tank.  Would be a nice setup in the long run if setup where maintenance was a cake-walk.

[Dan the fisherman]

50 minutes ago, J-Doc said:

I looked into that this summer.  I even used an old aquarium we had lying around to keep striper minnows for a few weeks.  They eventually yelled "jail break" and LITERALLY jumped out of the aquarium.  The had to push the lid off the aquarium to get out.  Lost half of them and I had a dozen plus.  It was a pain changing out the water frequently so a large tank is needed with a drain and you have to babysit the little buggers. 

By the time you invest in a tank, bubbler, chlorine treatment, etc......it added up quick.  There's also the need for insulation to keep the water around 60 degrees or colder.

Wish I had a nice setup and insulated shop to keep something like a 100gal stock tank.  Would be a nice setup in the long run if setup where maintenance was a cake-walk.

I only use my in cold weather.  I keep suckers and shiners from November-February.  Bubbler, water filter and a heavy lid... Oh and some stuff to get chlorine out.  Warmer temps would be harder though.  But then again I don't need bait durning summer.  I think I spent like 3 hundred for my set up.. It's saving me a lot of money now though.  I buy bait 2lbs at a time and keep suckers in there.   I like always having bait around.  Even though this year I'm catching most of my bait. 

[J-Doc]

Wish I had suckers. 

[deltakid]

hello folks Im a new person to the forums having moved here from California where I lived on the California delta where striped bass were my main target.Im going to go try beaver tomorrow but i have no idea where to get bait like ive seen on this post.if anyone has any tip I would be forever thankfull!!! if you see A 21 foot Boston Whaler on the lake with green canvas thats me drop by and say hi!!!  Jim