Cat Tip of the Day: Portable Bullhead Tank

I just got back from a bullhead restocking run to my favorite bullhead pond. I got 42 beautiful bullies. Last time I made a restocking run I had some trouble keeping my bullheads alive because of the heat and the time it took to get them home. I was transporting them in a cooler and when I got home they were pretty lethargic and sucking air in the cooler.
This time I made myself a large 30 gallon portable bait tank that I can use to transport bullies and then when I get home it can serve as my quarantine tank until they have regurgitated and crapped out all their crud before I put them in the big bait tank.
I made the portable tank out of a 35 gallon garbage can and equipped it with an aquarium pump and a 5” airstone. When I am transporting the bullies I plug the aquarium pump into a small 70 watt pocket power inverter in my truck and run the air hose out the back window and into the tank. This way they are getting air during the entire transportation run. When I get home I just plug the aquarium pump in near the bait tank and keep air going in the portable tank. I normally quarantine the bullies for about 2 days to give them plenty of time to get cleaned out before they go in the big tank. You cannot believe the amount of crud they can put out. I put a drain on the bottom of the garbage can so I can change water easily. I will do daily water changes to get the crud out of the portable tank so when I net them out I am not passing crud into the clean tank.
Today’s run from the bullie pond home went pretty smooth and the bullheads are still pretty feisty. Time to go catch some cat fish.

Here is a pic of tank drain:

Here is a pic of the power inverter:

Here is a pic of the Big Bullhead Tank waiting for some new friends:

Where did you get the power inverter?

In fact could you give us the shopping list of equipment and tools needed to make a setup like yours including the big bullhead tank.

Thanks!!

I am begining to think I am associated with a bunch of nuts! Could you imagine any other “type” of fisherman who would go to such lengths!

That being said, sweet invention! Looking at all the posts in the cat section, I really think we are ingenious thinkers. It seems simple enough. Get bullheads, a stiff rod, heavy duty reel, heavy line, sinker, swivel and hook. Cast it out and wait. It’s not quite that simple is it? Sounds more like walleye/bass/northern fishing.

Here you go, audemp:

Vector 70 Watt Pocket Power Inverter – Northern Tool & Equipment – about $20

100 Gallon Stock Tank – Fleet Farm – about $70

AquaClear 110 Aquarium Power Filter – Pet Smart – price varies from about $40 to $80 – ask them to do a price match from the on-line Pet Smart price and you will get it for around $40 otherwise the store price is about $80.

Double outlet Aquarium air pump – WalMart – about $10

Two 10” airstones and airline – WalMart – about $10

Optional Tank Sump Pump for water changes – Menards – about $40

I keep my bait tank in one of those Rubbermaid storage sheds to keep it covered and clean and to keep one of the grandkids from falling into it. You don’t have to do that but the aquarium power filter is not designed for outdoor use so some type of bait tank cover may be needed.

You will need some maintenance supplies to keep the system going but I won’t detail those costs. You need to do some water conditioning if you have tap water and you will need replacement filters for the aquarium power filter. Those types of costs are minimal. I change about 50% of the tank water about every 3 to 4 days. I keep a sump pump in the bottom of the bait tank and just plug it in and within 5 minutes the tank is drained to about 50 to 75%. I have a house hose nearby and just drop the hose in the tank and refill the tank. Whole process takes about 15 minutes. I treat the water as the tank is refilling and I am back in business.

Vector 70 Watt Pocket Power Inverter – $20
100 Gallon Stock Tank – $70
AquaClear 110 Aquarium Power Filter – $40
Double outlet Aquarium air pump – $10
Two 10” airstones and airline – W$10
Optional Tank Sump Pump for water changes – $40

Living the life of Comanchero15 catching monster cats……priceless.

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Could you imagine any other “type” of fisherman who would go to such lengths!

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The problem is that we as catters don’t spend enough money…comparitivly speaking…as bass and eye guys.
Just compair a bass or eye guys tackle box to a catters…”bucket”

Bob Moore at Moore’s Bait is ahead of his time..(thanks Bob!) in catering to catters. I believe he has one of the few if there is any, stores that you can actually walk out of and go fishing for cats. Heck! He even has the cooler and pumps needed to make the portable bait coolers.

…and I’m betting right about now he’s thinking about where to store garbage cans and inverters…

Another informative post Steve!

PS if you have to travel a distance with the bullies in a container like Steves…cooling down the water with a bag or two of ice helps keep more dissolved oxygen in the water…and slows the bullies down a bit.

Its almost time to start our engines! Time to get the bait tank ready!

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Time to get the bait tank ready!

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Maybe not quite yet.

I put my birdbath heater away too early.

I thought that was bullhead wine from last year…