Build your own Bait Pen

[Harry]

I always wanted to try keeping Herring & Bunker for Some fishing action. This time of year the bait is thicker than thieves under the lights at our dock, but when you get there in the morning they're nowhere to be found.

Reading through my March 2007 Saltwater Sportsman magazine I found an article about how to build a bait pen, So I figured I'd give it a try.

I modified their instructions to suit my needs.

I started with my shopping list which consisted of the follow
(3) 20' lengths of 3/4" schedule 40 PVC (I added some crossbraces and needed 1 more 10' piece)
(14) 1" PVC Tees
(16) 1" to 3/4" PVC reducer bushings
(1) 4 way 3/4" fitting
(2) 90 degree elbows
(16) SS #8 1 1/4"screws
(150) 7" black tie wraps or "zip ties"
(3) swim noodles

Start off by using some PVC glue and glue the reducer bushings in 8 of the 1" PVC tees for the uprights.

Then Cut 2 of the 20' pieces of PVC to 14' (remember to not cut off the bell end) with the remaining PVC stock, cut 4 28" uprights and glue 4 tees with reducer bushings on them (one end only).
Slide those 4 pieces and 4 tees without reducer bushings one one of the 14' PVC lengths staggering accordingly, as seen in the photo. Bend the PVC into a circle and glue into bell.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0001.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0002.jpg

Slide the remaining tees into the other 14' piece and bend and glue. Place that ontl the other end and glue it up.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0003.jpg

Add bottom cross brace with 4way in middle glue, drill and screw all tees. I painted with anti-fouling paint.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0005.jpg

For netting I used a Trampoline saftey net and it worked great !!!! Still have enough left for another one.
Zip tie the netting on.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0006.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0007.jpg

Next I made a half lid with the 90 dergee fittings. *NOTE* when attaching the lid to the upper cross brace don't cinch up th ezip ties too tight, This is your hinge. I made the lid so it fits "inside" the opening and added some left over PVC so the lid will not fall down into the pen.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0008.jpg

Now trim up all netting and add the noodles. This can be done many ways , but I did mine like this. The extra noodle mounted horizontally can be moved "up or down" to dictate the hieght of the pen in the water.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0011.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0012.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0010.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/BaitPen0009.jpg

Only thing left to do is catch some bait.

HAPPY FISHING !!!!!!!

[Willie]

sharp lookin.... :)

[Harry]

452 views and only 1 reply....... ??? Everyone get shy all of the sudden. ;D
Just kidding,
I posted the link to this thread on several fishing sites I visit and notice there are a BUNCH of "Guests" viewing the thread, I suspect that's where most of the views are coming from. Hope some of those "guests" decide to sign up, and join the CSO family. You don't have to own a CS to join up here ;)

In fact, if some of our regular members see a thread or topic here you find helpful or like, please post a link back to it on other sites you visit. It can only benefit and help our site here grow.

Thanks !!!

[Mark27284]

You don't have to own a CS yo join up here ;)



Now you tell me. And I just bought a 17K boat so I could join >:(

;D ;D ;D ;D

[Fillet1]

Harry,

That looks like it will work out well! Where did you get the trampoline netting material? Is that goig to be a community pen for your club?

I hope to be throwing (or whatever it is that I do in between cursing and untangling a mess) the net soon. I think a night trip or two is in order. I have to add a 12 volt cig lighter for a spot light to the boat first.

[Harry]

Rich,
I bought my son a used trampoline. He didn't have a net on his old one and didn't want this installed on this one. I saved it thinking it would make a perfect sine net, and it would have at about 5' high and REAL long.

I never used it for that, but when I decided to make a pen figured it would be fine for that. Even if it gets crapped up with alge or whatever, I still have enough to re-net it next year.

Sure if someone needs bait at the club they can dip into it, as long as it's not late in the season and baits few and far between.

I have a re-chargeable 500,000 candle power spot light and haven't needed to install a cigarette lighter yet.. ;D

[sportskiff]

Harry,
Golly the views on this is outstanding!!!!!! You are on the mark here pal, no doubt!!!!! Can't wait to see the next goodie ya bust out on folks here!!!!!!!!
sportskiffgimp

[Harry]

Put about 3-4 dozen peanut bunker in it last night.
Heading to a captains meeting in about an hour, for a Tournament I'm fishing tomorrow. Must stop by and see if the little fella's found there way out or an otter got in.... ;D

[Harry]

Went out this morning and used my pen for the first time. Nice being able to show up at the dock,scoop up some lively fresh bait and head out.

Caught 5 keeper flounder, (none on bunker) Did however get some 4' sharks on them. The boy had a BLAST fighting them and I shot 2 short video clips of him doing so on my cell phone camera. Gonna try to see if I can get them posted here for gimpy (aka sportskiff)...... ;)

[sportskiff]

DANG HARRY!!!!!!
ya shure treat folks good!!!!!!!!!! Lookin fer the vid, CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!!!!
gimpy

[BONES]

Very simple and solid pen, and good instructions....Thanks, I will definitely use this design.

The reason you may have so many views and few replies is that a: you did a great job .......and
b: you're listed on THT.....that's where
I came in from!

Bones

[Harry]

Very simple and solid pen, and good instructions....Thanks, I will definitely use this design.

The reason you may have so many views and few replies is that a: you did a great job .......and
b: you're listed on THT.....that's where
I came in from!

Bones


Thanks Bones.......

I thought it was a good pen to try and build, and since I am a member of THT and the bass barn , I just wanted to share it with all the other fisherman out there.

Thanks for taking the time to sign up with us here at CSO, and by all means, if you like the site please help us grow by telling your friends about us.

Thanks Again,
Harry

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I like this very much, so i post here to bring it up again for the new members to see.Great job Harry.

[Harry]

Thanks,
But just to update. The crabs did a number on that mess fabic I used. I wound up buying some plastic garden fencing and replaced the netting. Worked great.

[lakebiker]

That's some purdy work. 012

[rob198dlv]

Haary,

Thanks for posting this. I have looked at different bait pens and found very few that I liked and they cost more than I felt they were worth. I will be building one before my trip to Sebastian Inlet in March. I need something to hold pinfish.

Thanks.....Rob