Livewells are a fixture on fishing boats from bass glitter rockets to offshore cruisers, where they serve two essential purposes. The most common is keeping fin bait in good shape, whether minnows or mackerel. The second use is familiar to anyone who watches big-league bass tournaments; if youโre going to catch, weigh and release, you need a livewell on your fishing kayak to act as a mobile aquarium.
[ See the widest selection of fish bags, coolers and livewells in the Kayak Angler Buyerโs Guide ]
How to buy, install and use a livewell on your fishing kayak
Livewells arenโt complicated. Most systems work by pumping a constant flow of water through a tank; the overflow drains directly overboard or into a scupper. They usually mountโwhere else?โin the tank well.
1 Purchasing a store-bought livewell
Installing a livewell in your fishing kayak can be as easy as a run to the store. Hobieโs model is top of the line, although it only fits their boats. Shimanoโs Bristol Bay Portable Live Well is another fine option, but hurry. It may not be available much past 2009.
These are just for starts; many fishing-savvy kayak shops sell locally popular versions similar to what youโd make at home, only these guys are well practiced from cranking out dozens. Expect to pay $150 or more.
2 DIY fishing kayak livewells
If you want to make your own, all youโll need is a suitable container, an inexpensive submersible bilge pump like the Attwood T500, a length of flexible hose, a 12- or 6-volt battery, a spray nozzle and a bit of hardware. Popular containers include the humble 5-gallon utility bucket, bulk pet food bins, and small coolers. Virtually any plastic container will work, with round sides preferred for bait and rectangular varieties for bass. The parts might run as much as $75 to $100. Examples are readily available on the Internet.
3 Inflow / out-go
The simplest fishing kayak livewells are known as pump draggersโthe pump is literally thrown overboard beside the kayak. Thereโs a bit of dragโnot much, but noticeableโand they sometimes hang up on floating weeds or kelp. The alternative is to draw water through a scupper. These units often require priming, either through an inline hand pump or your used coffee cup. The drain? All it takes is a bunch of holes drilled at the appropriate level, or a second hose that points overboard.
4 Powering up
The most commonly used bilge pumps can move 360 or 500 gallons per hour. Thatโs overkill for a 5-gallon tank, the kayak average. The solution is to wire the pump so it runs backwards, reducing the flow, or deliberately underpower it by going with a 6-volt battery. Most people favor rechargeable sealed lead-acid batteries; a 7-amp model should get you through a couple of long days on the water. In a pinch, a disposable 6-volt lantern battery can get you going.
5 Getting fancy
When you get right down to it, all you need is an electrical circuit. Those who prefer more elegant equipment mount on/off toggles, fuse-protected timer switches, and waterproof battery boxes. Be sure to use marine grade fixtures or they wonโt last long. A lid will keep bait and bass from jumping out.
6 Using your livewell
Donโt do the twist: Access your livewell when sitting side-saddle in your fishing kayak or turning around to face the tank. Twisting your head and shoulders over the side can lead to an unplanned swim.
Baiting up:ย For the best results, avoid overcrowding your fin bait. When itโs time to scoop one up, move slowly and trap one in the corner. Stressed out, damaged bait doesnโt fish as well as those in perfect condition.
The bass boogie:ย With bass, usually the hardest part is getting them out of the tank. Consider a culling system that clips onto the mouth of each fish, and donโt build covered corners into your tank.
Add a livewell to boost your kayakโs fishing performance. | Feature Illustration: Paul Mason
Wilderness Systems
YakGear
