Cooler Livewell

[BassBlaster]

So the boats done, its time to start thinking abou the portable livewell. I have a tournament in Sept and would like to go ahead and get it made so that I can test it and work out any bugs prior to my first tourny. So, my question is about the size of the cooler. I fish crappie tournaments so it dosnt have to be that large. It needs to be able to hold 10 crappie but Id like it to be large enough that I could put a divider in it and make a bait well out of one side. That side wouldnt need to be big at all. Id like to go as small as possible to keep from adding a bunch of additional weight. So what size cooler would you guys reccomend for this?

 

[TNtroller]

https://www.palmettokayakfishing.com/

Here is a link to a blog that a yak fisherman did a DIY that fits in a Ride 135 as a baitwell. Could give some ideas anyways. His projects are pretty well thought out and low budget as well.

 

[earl60446]

I would recommend a 30 qt cooler with a hinged lid, igloo makes some nice ones. Big enough to hold the trophy crappie we know you catch plus it is carry able. What will you use to separate the crappie and minnows? Maybe some hardware cloth, drilling a lot of holes in the cooler will probably saturate the foam. Maybe just stick a minnow bucket in the cooler.
Tim

 

[muskiemike12]

I think a 30 will be way too small for a limit of 13" crappie. 60 - 70 quart should work just fine. https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Marine-Cooler/dp/B0014FKRXU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1367168297&sr=1-1&keywords=marine+coolers Get this for your bait. https://www.amazon.com/Lindy-Bait-Tamer-5-Gallon/dp/B00074OWXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367168052&sr=8-1&keywords=bait+tamer
You will need an aerator too. https://www.amazon.com/Shoreline-Marine-Aerator-Volt-Bucket/dp/B004LR5JFY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2

 

[BassBlaster]

I guess I should have elaberated on my seperation. I dont plan to drill or poke any holes inside. I agree that would be bad for the foam. The seperator will just be plexi or lexan with holes in it to allow water to flow side to side. I'll use 5200 to glue it in. The bait itself will be in a small wire basket type bucket that drops into the baitwell side. There will be an aeration system and Im also considering some kind of recirculation system.

This is something that will only be on my boat during tournys. I use one group 29 battery to run everything on my boat. The only thing running during a tourny will be the FF and the TM. Should I worry about power when I add a livewell or will my one battery be enough? My TM is not my main power source. Im not opposed to buying a small lawnmower or other small lightweight battery to power just the livewell if needed.

 

[BassBlaster]

I found an Igloo Marine 54 quart at Wally World for 40 bucks. If my math is correct, that translates to 13 1/2 gallons. The Tracker crappie boats come with a 14 gallon livewell/baitwell combo from the factory. Think this will do? This would require lots of recirculating with 10 crappie in it huh? I guess now I decide if I sacrifice weight and go larger or sacrifice power to save weight. Pros and cons?