Went After Bluefin Tuna

[catalina_mike]

Well we didn't get a bite but went for 130+ NM yesterday. Bait tank worked great very low mortality after 14 hours!

https://youtu.be/wLOjPUqLEjg
https://youtu.be/Zmaa3O-tJNA
https://youtu.be/FolkoKO02PE

I have much to learn!

[socalmike]

I have 6 trips no blue fin. One day I will connect. Boat looks great. I will be in Avalon next weekend.

[catalina_mike]

We are headed over on the 20th.

[Tom Cunningham]

Great post. My '05 28Albin "Miller Lite" arrived from Florida and is now in Mission Bay. Hope to be out there soon when they are biting. Have the flushdeck but may still look at the swimstep for a bait tank....Tom.

[Jeremyvmd]

Im hoping to get shady back in the water in time to try for mahi and tuna, but it's not looking that great...particularly for mahi

[catalina_mike]

I went with a tank setup that is not permanent because of my diving needs. On and off in two minutes. Here is a link to the project. http://photo.pacificwestcontrols.com/~M ... 2054616e6b

[Jeremyvmd]

What did you use for a pump? I have a similar setup on my cat boat and have a submerged rule pump but it's not real high flow. I want to swap to something else...and wanted to know what you used...

[catalina_mike]

What did you use for a pump? I have a similar setup on my cat boat and have a submerged rule pump but it's not real high flow. I want to swap to something else...and wanted to know what you used...

I used a Rule 1100 to start with they have mixed results. It did not have a scoop to start with so I added one. I need to change the thru hull to a 1" next haul because the vessel had the standard 3/4" and I think I could improve performance. They say 4-6 mins for filling the tank is in range and I'm at 5min 30sec. It was great to see the sardines good and green after so much time on the water. Cartridge pumps performance really drop off when you start adding head to the pump (height water has to be pumped).

[Jeremyvmd]

So you have it plumbed to the factory pump? I didn't see any pics of that.

[RobS]

...Cartridge pumps performance really drop off when you start adding head to the pump (height water has to be pumped).

Yup...Head, 90's, reducers, check-valves, etc. all have drastic effect on these pumps, especially two or more of those factors in combination..

[catalina_mike]

So you have it plumbed to the factory pump? I didn't see any pics of that.

Yes factory location port side stern. By the raw water washdown pump. I'll look for a picture as I did the pump last year.

[Jeremyvmd]

Good to know. Did you just run a fitting to the transom? Id be interested in seeing how you ran the plumbing from the factory pump to the external tank

[catalina_mike]

I ran a 1" from the new pump to almost the original in transom bait tank and installed a tee. Then reduced to the size used for the factory tank and continued the 1" to the stbd gunnel. Removed the gunnel for access and installed the hose fitting towards the top of the gunnel. This allows the use of both tanks independently. I put a rubber boat drain plug into the factory bait tank to allow flow only to the transom tank. There is a 5' whip that connects the new fitting to the new tank. I did not want to put the fitting under the swim step for easy access and didn't want it above because of looks. So I tucked it away. Clean and very easy to put the tank on and off. I can shoot a few pictures next time on the vessel and upload them to the folder.

[catalina_mike]

Took pictures last night after dinner of plug in factory bait tank and location of hose fitting.