What do any of you guys use in your boats for baitwells to keep live shrimp? I need to come up with something portable I can use in my rig. Any one ever use those "bait saver" tanks (10 gal) they sell at Academy? Comes with a 12v aerator. Anyone ever make one out of a Icechest?

I saw one made out of a 5 gallon bucket with a lid from academy that had a live well attached to it. Thats been quite a while ago though.

I made mine out of a square igloo. Drilled a couple holes on the top front and mounted a couple D cell aerators to the front. Works just fine. Can get at walmart cheaper than BP.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... rchResults

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... rchResults

Don't know anything about keeping shrimp alive but a 48qt ice chest and one of those $20 portable aerators they sell at wal mart is hard to beat for keeping perch alive for the lines. The aerator is the one that has a piece of pvc sticking up about 12" and suction cup feet, red and white think the brand is RULE but not sure

I also use the $15 quite bubbles and a 48Quart marine ice chest for my PD.Drill a hole in the side above the handle and run the air tube through it.The Quite bubbles will last several trips on 2 D size batteries.If you use any type to where the eletric motor is in the water.After time the motor will heat the water and your SHRIMP or CROAKER will die.Try one of these.
http://www.marinemetal.com/mmpweb3.html

The igloo keeps things cool but when really hot I throw a little ice in every now and then.

I did the same thing poker1 did. works great and keeps them alive.
the key to keeping shrimp alive is keeping the water cool.

We use this fellers product in the 54 quart size fo our bait !!

http://www.boatcycle.com/shop/Igloo-Bai ... glass-Tank

Was told that you need a round container for saltwater bait so they keep swimming. Don't know how true that is. The guys I know use the 20 or 30 gal round ones from Academy, expensive though. Drop in frozen water bottles or ice occasionally to keep cool

I use the Rule 12v pump that sticks to the bottom of any old icechest. The cooling of the water to promote life of shrimp is accomplished by putting ice in a ziplok to keep the fresh water from the salt water the shrimp are used to:) Fish get a little disoriented in a square box.

you sons a beaches must be loaded to buy a bait box that is a 150+ dollars , no freaking way......

Well here's what I came up with. I bought a $24 60 quart cooler, a $40 12v aerator, and a lawn mower battery. I drilled a 1 3/8" hole through one of the cupholders on top of the cooler for the aerator. cooler will hold 12 gal water with room left over. Hopefully this thing will keep shrimp or croaker alive. I will give a report after the weekend.

I like the idea but my cooler like that doesn't hold ice well. The walls are hollow. I sprayed foam insulation in a crack on the top part to help insulate. You could probably poke a small hole in the top and sides to spray with the straw if it gets too hot.