catfishingonthejames - PORTABLE BAIT TANK

This is a small livewell for bait that can be made easily and fairly cheaply with a few easily found items. The two main items are a cheap plastic washtub and a cheap particle board accent table to make the top with. The bulk of the assembly in making this livewell is driling a hole in the center of the tabletop lid to pass a knoted rope through for a lifting handle, and cutting a bungee and attaching it to one of the rope handles on the wastub. The bungee pulls the rope handles tightly across the top and holds it in place. Once the top is rigged all thats needed is to stick the 12v aerator to the bottom hook up the cord switch to one of the wires and cut a little slit to hang the air pump on the side. I also drilled a hole in the rim to hold my bait net.

As always, be carefull when using power tools and open flames. Take your time and think things through before making cuts or drilling holes to ensure you don't make a mistake that will force you to make a trip to the store for replacement parts.

This is a very basic setup that works well for keeping small quantitys of bait alive and frisky. Feel free to alter the assembly of your livewell to suit your needs. (See modified setup, bottom center of this page)

Above is the completed livewell. It should only take 15 to 30 minutes to assemble from the parts listed to the right.

Remove the leg brackets from the table, and attach a rope handle through a hole drilled in the center. A knot on each side of the rope keeps it secured in the center hole. Any kind of handle could be substituted. This was just the quickest way that I felt was secure and would last. A small notch cut into one edge of the top with a jigsaw will allow the wires for the aerator to pass through.

Cut off the hook on one end of the short bungee as shown. Melt the end slightly with a lighter to prevent unraveling. Loop it around one of the rope handles of the washtub and secure it tightly with the three wire ties as shown. Pull the ties with pliers if need be to get them as tight as possible. Trim off the excess from the wire ties. The reason for attaching one end of the bungee is just to keep it from getting misplaced.

Heat up one end of a hacksaw blade and use it to melt a small slit in one edge of the wastub's rim for the air pump to hang on by the metal clip on it's back. Make a small hole with a drill for the air hose to pass through the side of the tub near the rim as well. Go slow when drilling so you don't crack the plastic. Attach the cord switch on one of the wires for the internal aerator following the instructions that come with the switch.

The bucket aerator should be centered in the washtub and the wires can either be clipped directly to a battery, or use a 12v plug instead of the clips it comes with to plug it into the cigarette lighter of a boat or auto.

A different aerator setup using an extension made of PVC pipe and a tee fitting from the pump to attach a ring of aerator hose around the top. The hose is held in place by wire ties through the washtub and holes are spaced along it's length to spray water inwards. This setup is a little more complicated to rig, but works better by opening up the livewell a little more.

PARTS LIST

1- Round plastic washtub with the rope handles

1- 20 inch wooden accent table

1- 12v portable bucket type aerator

1- 12v air pump with an airstone and tubing

1- Short bungee cord

3- Wire ties

1- Short piece of rope.

1- Inline cord switch

The wastub can be found at most dollar stores, or Walmart. The accent table is from Walmart as well. The aerator and air pump should be availible from any store that sells fishing tackle.

TOOLS NEEDED

A Screwdriver to remove the leg mounts from the accent table's top.
A drill & 2 bits-a small drill bit to make a hole about the size of the airhose being used and a larger bit to drill the hole in the center of the top for the rope handle.
A hacksaw blade to melt the right width slit to hang the air pump.
Pliers to pull the wire ties tight on the bungee.
A Jigsaw or handsaw for cutting a notch in the top for the wires to pass through.
Wirecutters for hooking up the aerator and inline switch.
A lighter or candle to heat up the hacksaw blade and melt the end of the bungee.