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Lure Testing Tank?

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IslandSurf

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Its winter its brutally cold,I went down to the closest dock in my area today to test out a batch of lures to find the water frozen along with my fingers,moved to the other side where there's some current and unfrozen water and tested the plugs with good results.The nearest body of water where I live is 10 minutes away and not the most ideal spot to test plugs due to lack of really strong current but its decent enough.Normally during the season I bring plugs to test with me when I go out,my fav testing spot is 45 mins away the Ponoquge Bridge in Shinnecock from the parking lot to the bridge there's shallow water ,deep water,calm water,mild current and the current rips at a certain point so its perfect because of all of variables it covers.So I've been thinking is it possible to build a winter testing tank?I don't have a pool anymore so that's not an option ,what I was thinking of doing is making a 4 ft deep 30 ft long 10 ft wide long plexi glass or wooden box to use during the winter ,maybe using chlorine water to stop it from freezing and hose to create the effect of current.Lol is this a stupid idea ?has anyone ever tried anything like this?

SW

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i think you havw way to much time on your hands lol
its the exact oppisite actually,that's why I want to build one because I don't have time after work to run down to the water when its dark out and cold .It would be cool to be able to test things at my house that's really where the idea stems from ....

SW

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Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandSurf View Post



Its winter its brutally cold,I went down to the closest dock in my area today to test out a batch of lures to find the water frozen along with my fingers,moved to the other side where there's some current and unfrozen water and tested the plugs with good results.The nearest body of water where I live is 10 minutes away and not the most ideal spot to test plugs due to lack of really strong current but its decent enough.Normally during the season I bring plugs to test with me when I go out,my fav testing spot is 45 mins away the Ponoquge Bridge in Shinnecock from the parking lot to the bridge there's shallow water ,deep water,calm water,mild current and the current rips at a certain point so its perfect because of all of variables it covers.So I've been thinking is it possible to build a winter testing tank?I don't have a pool anymore so that's not an option ,what I was thinking of doing is making a 4 ft deep 30 ft long 10 ft wide long plexi glass or wooden box to use during the winter ,maybe using chlorine water to stop it from freezing and hose to create the effect of current.Lol is this a stupid idea ?has anyone ever tried anything like this?



First ,check the price of 1/4''plexi glass,that alone will put you off. Secondly,the  thickness of the P-G you would need to build a clear span tank that big would necessitate a bank loan. You should just wait for the thaw,spring is about 65 or so days away.


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I was using my personal design in last workshop before design first retired and died :)

 

I build up a new workshop and I beared tank... Thats why I would not share photos..

 

But its exactly perfect works and space saver...

 

I built it an old aquatium tank and plexiglass combination..

Cheap auarium pump makes the water flow...

But new one will be full plexiglass&aluminium frame...

 

I tried to explain it by a garbage drawing...

 

I hope it help to explane...

We can continue question&answers if its neccessary...

 

1850336

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I have been thinking about this as well Island. I like that idea and even though the it is a rough drawing I was thinking about finding a cheap or free tank. I would say you don't want to get a cheap flow pump. Good place to get a good pump is either amazon and have a prime account(just in case something isn't working right they help you quickly or Dr.foresters. Let us know what you do Island. O with the plexi I don't think you really would need to get 1/4 plexi. Just grab from HD to make a flex for change in current.


John


Live for something or die for nothing. 

HateBreed

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First ,check the price of 1/4''plexi glass,that alone will put you off. Secondly,the  thickness of the P-G you would need to build a clear span tank that big would necessitate a bank loan. You should just wait for the thaw,spring is about 65 or so days away.

I was using my personal design in last workshop before design first retired and died :)

 

I build up a new workshop and I beared tank... Thats why I would not share photos..

 

But its exactly perfect works and space saver...

 

I built it an old aquatium tank and plexiglass combination..

Cheap auarium pump makes the water flow...

But new one will be full plexiglass&aluminium frame...

 

I tried to explain it by a garbage drawing...

 

I hope it help to explane...

We can continue question&answers if its neccessary...

 

1850336

that's pretty cool,I'm gonna make something like that at somepoint

SW

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I really impressed design of the tank...


Couse it has  more visual angle than my design..



It provides great advantages to have clear wiev while surveying the action...


 



Just a point attract my attention...



There is very high surface waves while water flowing...


 



in my opinion it blocks the wiev..



My design gave still water surface with any ripples..


Considering the fact that squared corners, mini tank + over flowing effect; it happens. 


I decide to combine two design (especially while built up a new workshop)  which I have great inspiration from the thread, 


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I have a spare fish tank and pump for you if you wanna try it bro but you are not gonna be able to test swim them right. A tank isn't deep enough you'll be hitting bottom unless it's a true surface swimmer and not subsurface...... Does the gym you go to have a pool? Go there early and test it there lol


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I have a spare fish tank and pump for you if you wanna try it bro but you are not gonna be able to test swim them right. A tank isn't deep enough you'll be hitting bottom unless it's a true surface swimmer and not subsurface...... Does the gym you go to have a pool? Go there early and test it there lol

That would be 5 o'clock news. "Man arrested at gym for swim lures in the pool". :laugh:

Live for something or die for nothing. 

HateBreed

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here is a vid of

 

It is 8' long and 18" deep. It does not sound deep enough, but in practice I found it to be plenty, even when testing lures that swim deeper. Because you are standing over the tank, you can hold the line at a steeper angle and test deep divers. In fact, it is more of an effort to swim shallow lures, as you have to fet the rod tip close to the water surface.

 

The tank is constructed from 3/8" ply, designed around a standard sheet, on a frame of 1 3/4" x 1 1/4". So that it is easy to empty and move out of the way, it is built in two halves of 4' x 4'. The two halves are not bolted or screwed together, they just sit side-by-side. The weight of the water holds them in place. On my tank, only one side is braced, as the other side is up against a wall. I found that the ends did not need bracing. The tank is built modular in separate panels, dry screwed together. This way, the tank can be totally dismantled for moving or storage.

 

The boxes do not require sealing, the tank being lined with a heavy polythene sheet, stapled around the top rim. The sheet is folded inside, like wrapping a parcel from the inside. The hardest part is laying the polythene. The secret is to roughly push the sheet in and add just 1" of water NO MORE. Then get inside and start moving the sheet around. The water holds it in place for you.

 

Finally, to prevent the water turning green, as in this early tank video, you must cover the tank when not in use. I used 1/8 ply on a frame, but a tarp would do the job.

 

A 30' tank is definitely do-able, in sections as I have done. a 4' deep tank is a bursting risk. Do the sums - scary!

 

Here is

that shows more of the design and shows what else is possible.

 

Dave

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