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Posts: 5874
| I asked this question in a couple of threads regarding tournaments, and haven't really pushed for, or received an answer. So I will pose it on it's own.
I see alot of people get all excited when discussing features of certain boats, that this model or that have larger livewells, or you can get a Muskie version with a larger livewell. Alot of people get all fired up in their opposition to transport tournaments. Many of these are the same people who put a lot of emphasis on livewell size when making a boat purchase.
My question is, why such an emphasis on livewell size when you are so opposed to transport tourney's? I've never had a muskie in a livewell in one of my boats, and don't forsee the day I will, unless I partake in, and actually catch a fish in a transport tourney. Frankly, when I bought my boat, and looked at the livewell, I envisioned walleys in there, not a muskie. What say you?
Edited by Shep 1/16/2004 2:01 PM
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I have a Tuffy Rampage with a 36" livewell. As you can see if you click on my user profile, and then click on the pic I have for you to see it can hold a lot of muskies.... However, that is the only time I would put them in there.. I do not think I would fish a transport tourney. First, my livewell is too small. Second, I don't like what I see at bass tourney's with how well the fish seem after the tourney. Yeah the big pro ones you get penalized for dead fish so they use a lot of tricks to keep the fish healthy. But the little tourney's I usually see don't do as well. I ended up with a three Bass that must have gone 14lbs total for the three, that did not survive and none of the guys in the tourney wanted. I took them home and gave them to my taxidermist who later gave me a discount on a different fish I had mounted(he was looking for some fish to practice new ideas on..different paint or something, I forget..). |
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Posts: 440
| I think some people are using the livewells as holding pens while getting the carmera around and things like that. Some people use them to recharge the fish for a while before release. I bet the good old DNR wouldn't see the humor in having a "short" fish in the well for either of those reasons. I can think of one time last summer that I would love to have had a livewell big enough to help a fish recover. A 60" livewell would be nice to have if "the big momma" comes calling. Would beat throwing it on the floor on the way to get weighed. |
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Posts: 20230
Location: oswego, il | It's wasted space in our boat. I wish it was extra storage. It never stays completley dry to use for much except a couple dock bouys. I need a baitwell for suckers, that's all. Fish comes out of the net for a picture and then back in the water, if i have to it goes back into the net to revive. |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | 60" livewell in my Tuffy's and the 50"er in my Ranger make for the best dry storage you could ask for. 5/8" plug at the input and 3/4" plug installed inside the livewell in the overflow hole and you will have the driest storage around....
Also works great for storage for dock bumpers, tending lines, rod holders, etc. if you don't plug them.
I have never fished a transport tourny, doubt seriously I ever will. Guess it's a nice feature for the "just in case" I would blind-squirrel a world record fish but other than that....don't think it's necessary. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I have a 50" livewell on my boat and have used it as a release pen. Twice last year I had fish get a Top Raider through their gills and stuck in the gill plate. It is a lot easier doing these surgeries to remove the hook in a livewell rather than hanging over the side of the boat. Keeping fresh oxygenated water running over the fish during the operation doesn't hurt either.
You may not use it everyday, but when it is needed it is a nice tool to have. |
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Posts: 328
Location: MN | Hmmm...Muskies no...But....like the livell for Walleyes and Panfish! |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I like to eat pike, and like a big well for keeping them alive all day on the water and on the ride home. My livewell this year would hold a 48" fish, but I never livewelled one all season. I did, however, livewell alot of pike and crappies. Yummy. |
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| I feel a 50 inch plus livewell is a definite bonus for any boat for the serious muskie angler whether it's reaerating an injured fish or running to the dock for an accurate weight. You might consider an additional aerator though to keep you fish well oxygenated and I would be hesitant to use it when the water temps are warmer. I've only needed mine a handful of times but it was highly valued when needed! It makes for a very nice sucker holding tank as well as for some of those big bass etc. that you might want to throw into your pond...... |
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | I have a plug for the outlet and plug the bottom and use it for plano boxes. But on my one eye trip I take the plug out and use it, |
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Posts: 117
Location: champaign, illinois | I bought my boat used but it was what I was looking for. I've got a 60" livewell that I use mainly for storage. Plugs on both ends of inlet and outlet plus, for added insurance, dry bags. It can all come out in a hurry if I should ever need the livewell (record _yeah, right_, and holding legal fish to rejuvinate, whatever).
Fish I want to keep for eating go straight into a cooler full of ice!
Jay
Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club www.shelbyvillemuskie.com
and
Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail www.illmuskie.com |
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