> Yup, and you might get an inch to three inches of water in there. But the
> water will run out about as fast as it goes in, so in any waves or wake
> from passing motorboats, if that hole comes above water the livewell will
> drain, possibly leaving your bait fish high and dry for a few seconds.
> Your boat will have to be in the water before you put your bait fish in.
> Unless you are already aboard, the kayak will be floating rather high,
> maybe displacing only an inch or two of water, with a bit less than that
> inside your livewell, and as the bottom of the livewell is not flat, you
> won't have much room for many baitfish. The excess water from your bait
> bucket will just drain out.

> If you are thinking that the amount of water going in and out will help to
> oxygenate the water in your livewell then you will probably want a lot of
> rather small holes, or a few rather large ones. Seal these well with epoxy
> resin to avoid them soaking up water which could delaminate your
> fiberglass.

> Personally, I think you would be better off with a large hatch opening and
> a separate bait bucket that would fit in snugly. This way you could carry
> the bait bucket to the bait shop, instead of carrying the entire kayak.
> You can fill the bait bucket to any depth you wish. To oxygenate it, a
> small battery operated pump can bring in `fresh' water from the
> surrounding lake or river, while overflow goes out a tube, and back into
> the same lake or fiver. Or, get a small battery operated airpump.

> For a fancy bit of engineering, get one electric bilge pump, several
> hoses, valves and connectors, and connect it so that it either pumps out
> your boat, or, it pumps exterior water into your livewell.

> You might want to just make a small, watertight compartment between two
> bulkheads (forget the holes in the bottom of the boat). Line it with foam
> for both floatation and thermal insulation. Use it as a livewell by
> filling with water. (bail it out by hand before landing) Or, fill it with
> ice and canned beverages for the trip out, and hope there is enough ice
> left to keep your catch fresh on the way in.

> Best of luck with this

> Paul G. Jacobson

Hey Paul, Thanks for the info.. I like the idea of adding another "bulkhead" and filling it with water and ice.That's what i'll do!

Johnnie