I think it depends on your needs and wants. If you're just wanting to keep your fish to eat you can throw them in a cooler of ice. If it's to keep live bait alive until you put them on a hook, if your boat doesn't have a livewell you can build an aerated bait tank out of a large cooler (lots of how-to videos on YouTube). There is more than one way to skin a cat.
So how important is a proper live well?
Hey guys. I'm at a crossroads with my boat and tryin to decide between continuing to work on/with my current rig or to consider looking for a bit bigger used boat with what I think I want already on it. One of the sticking points is a livewell. The Mirrocraft has a rectangular livewell on the port side. Not ideal, but it does function. I also currently use a Flo-Troll when I'm out piddlin if I just have a few baits.
..My situation is that I'm just a fat old man goofin off on the string of reservoirs near the house.
No plans for tournament fishing or frettin over not gettin huge cats.
..If I went with a different rig would I be shootin myself in the foot if I got somethin without a proper livewell? Thanks..
..My situation is that I'm just a fat old man goofin off on the string of reservoirs near the house.
No plans for tournament fishing or frettin over not gettin huge cats.
..If I went with a different rig would I be shootin myself in the foot if I got somethin without a proper livewell? Thanks..
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If your just keeping bait stick with what ya got. Only way i see a big nice livewell paying off is if you fish tournys on the daily.
Cooler with little ice will keep them fresh in til cleaning
Yep. WE do a couple of Tourneys a year and we just have a tool box livewell that we put in the boat when the time comes. Now if fishing tourneys every weekend then having a built-in one would be nice.If your just keeping bait stick with what ya got. Only way i see a big nice livewell paying off is if you fish tournys on the daily.
Now I do have a small livewell on the boat. It works great for bait and you can also keep some eater size catfish in it.
brother, I’ve been at that crossroads for a while. I’ve got a 14’ StarCraft with no live well at all. I’m no tournament angler and generally if I’m fishin I’m either alone or with one other guy. I’ve finally decided that for me a cooler with ice will be fine for the eaters and I have a couple panfish baskets and an aerated five gallon bucket to keep bait in. I like to use big live baits and realistically 10 or so are enough for a nights fishing.
i decided that I like things to be as simple and uncomplicated as possible. I don’t need to worry about batteries or something going to heck when I need it most and my old boat is big enough to fish the waters I fish and way less hassle to launch on small shallow rivers than a bigger boat. Not to mention a lot cheaper than buying another boat.
i May not look as cool as some of the other fellas out fishin but hell, I gave up on that a long time ago. 😁
Do what works for you and enjoy yourself.
i decided that I like things to be as simple and uncomplicated as possible. I don’t need to worry about batteries or something going to heck when I need it most and my old boat is big enough to fish the waters I fish and way less hassle to launch on small shallow rivers than a bigger boat. Not to mention a lot cheaper than buying another boat.
i May not look as cool as some of the other fellas out fishin but hell, I gave up on that a long time ago. 😁
Do what works for you and enjoy yourself.
Thanks for the replies, fellas!
I've bout decided I'm gonna stick with what I have and finish my "upgrading" on it. If nothin else I feel like I can get by with the Flo-troll, dinky livewell and a cooler for no more fishing than I do. And it's much more rewarding to look at a "finished" product and know that I did it and it's done right. Not ta mention it fits in the carport nicely and still allows room for the golf cart in the same "stall".. If it don't work out I'll reconvene on it later..
I've bout decided I'm gonna stick with what I have and finish my "upgrading" on it. If nothin else I feel like I can get by with the Flo-troll, dinky livewell and a cooler for no more fishing than I do. And it's much more rewarding to look at a "finished" product and know that I did it and it's done right. Not ta mention it fits in the carport nicely and still allows room for the golf cart in the same "stall".. If it don't work out I'll reconvene on it later..
It's your cash...you live once.....fix your rig the way you want too... If you want to get a different one then get a different one.... I will say this I'd rather have a big live well and not need it then to need it and not have it.... I got a big one in mine only time I use it during tournaments.... We're down to one or two three tournaments a year maybe..... I tell you one thing he sure comes in handy for storage
Look at the Youtube Channel "Fishin Stuff". He has alot of DIY stuff and has built a few bait and livewells from coolers.Thanks for the replies, fellas!
I've bout decided I'm gonna stick with what I have and finish my "upgrading" on it. If nothin else I feel like I can get by with the Flo-troll, dinky livewell and a cooler for no more fishing than I do. And it's much more rewarding to look at a "finished" product and know that I did it and it's done right. Not ta mention it fits in the carport nicely and still allows room for the golf cart in the same "stall".. If it don't work out I'll reconvene on it later..
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