> Think about the size of the hole in the hull and the size of your bait
> fish. The fish may swim out through the hole but aren't likely to swim
> back in, no matter what size hole. Believe I'd go for a rather large hole
> in the hull and fix a holder on the inside with a piece of flexible
> plastic that craft people use to cut up and sew back together with yarn.
> Comes in sheets about 8"x11". Has "strips" going up
> & down and crosswise. I believe the larger hole will help with the
> airation. If that doesn't work, pick up some "oxygen" tablets
> bait stores sell for "non-airated" bait wells. At any rate,
> whatever you end up with, I will be interested for my own use. Good luck
> and keep in touch. Ed Ed, I think i will build the bottom with a small (bildge) open space under it then follow the hull shape up to the desired height then some sort of hatch and of course the deck hatch. The way i see it the "live well" only has to be big enough to hold 1.5 gallons or so maybe 2.0 gallons (need to research more)...

Any thoughts on filling the (bildge) area with lead to counter the weight of the water inside? Can't be more than an extra 12 to 15 pounds total weight my boat weighs 45.5 lbs.

I will use an small battery aireator fixed to the boat.