Hobie livewell pimpin'

I got the Hobie livewell a ways back and the plan was to use it as a livewell and also a tackle box since it fit well in the back and secured tight. I've used it for a while now and really like it so thought I'd share.

First thing was the livewell fit nicely but wasn't really secured tightly so I added two more support straps. I popped the hatch on top got to sewing two new straps and installed them. They're the ones w/ the red buckles.


Since I didn't want the livewell to flood while I was using it as a tackle box I made a few plugs from a pool noodle to block the intake and outtake. I'm looking for some rubber stoppers to make a nice tight seal but haven't found anything right yet. 


Then I added my downrigger on top and in this position it works pretty well. The Scotty Laketroller wouldn't work well with it mounted here but the Depthmaster has a brake lever that lowers it so one hand behind the back and it's all good.


Lastly added a little bungee to hold a spool of leader.


Solid and simple.
Z

I like it.  Looks like an improvement on the orange plano box.

I like it. Those are all great ideas.  Are there retailers in the Portland area? I am curious now, and want to check one out.

I like it. Those are all great ideas.  Are there retailers in the Portland area? I am curious now, and want to check one out.

Thanks guys.

Here's a link for the dealer finder.
http://www.hobiecat.com/company/dealer.html

Z

ya thats pretty sweet...but at 250 bucks ill stick with my plano lol

Looks great! Nice & clean!
I really like the bungee under the hatch idea, I'm totally going to use that!

Looks great! Nice & clean!
I really like the bungee under the hatch idea, I'm totally going to use that!

Works great under the lid of a Plano box as well.  SBD was the first person I saw doing this and I quickly followed suit.

Nice box Zee.  And a new downrigger too?  Right on!

-Allen

Nice setup. 

Where do you put your retained fish?

Works great under the lid of a Plano box as well.

Yeah, a pretty smart place to put it.

ya thats pretty sweet...but at 250 bucks ill stick with my plano lol

Plano boxes are pretty bad at keeping bait alive.. 

Nice setup. 
Where do you put your retained fish?

Either in a KatchKooler in the front hatch or on a game clip behind the tackle box.

Z

Where in Washington can you fish with live bait (i.e. minnows)?  I guess it's legal out in the ocean, but who really needs live bait for rockfish and lingcod?

Brian

Where in Washington can you fish with live bait (i.e. minnows)? 
I guess it's legal out in the ocean, but who really needs live bait for rockfish and lingcod?

Brian

You're right, nowhere except the ocean. I actually got it for herring. Fresh bait is paramount for salmon and I got a ton in my hood.

Z

Can you use live bait in the sound?

Can you use live bait in the sound?

Pretty sure you can. I haven't found anything that says anything to the contrary.
But who said they're alive when I use them?

Z

I would think the sound would be okay, but then again the regulations for the sound are pretty weird.

The idea behind the "no live bait" laws in Oregon and Washington is to prevent introducing species like golden shiners  into our lakes.   For the most part, freshwater lakes are more susceptible to these sorts of invasions.

I would think the sound would be okay, but then again the regulations for the sound are pretty weird.

The idea behind the "no live bait" laws in Oregon and Washington is to prevent introducing species like golden shiners  into our lakes.   For the most part, freshwater lakes are more susceptible to these sorts of invasions.

And boy, that's worked well hasn't it?...