Tuna Tubes
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Work-Up
Forum Description: Game fishing related topics here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55684
Printed Date: 13 Jun 2026 at 11:00pm
Topic: Tuna Tubes
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Subject: Tuna Tubes
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 3:34pm
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have got a few tuna tubes on the boat now, seems I am going full circle so to speak with the old baits. anyways here is a question, do I run a 1.5inch tube all the way to the tubes or do I restrict it down to 1/2 inch at the tubes, so it would be 1 1/2 all the way to the tubes then down to 1/2. have always said you need volume not pressure so have any one restricted right down on pipe size. all help appreciated. ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Replies:
Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 3:38pm
| Why would you want to restrict it Steve? The restriction 'sort of' turns volume into pressure. |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 3:41pm
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yeah your right Dave, I figured that would be the case, just an idea for smaller baits, mmm
------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: NZTurtle
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:32pm
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With you on this livebaiting thing Steve. Gotta have some for next year - its an awesome way to fish. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: ancient mariner
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:42pm
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Ok, no experience in livebaiting, but a plumber by trade.
Why not have 1 1/2 " all the way to tube, and have a ballvalve inline? That way you can decrease the flow (which wont affect pressure) depending on type of bait. |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:47pm
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yeah mate, have made up a couple of sets out of fibreglass, have made them curve more inwards around the head area compared to the plastic tubes of uniform diameter all over. with the plastic ones volume was blowing smaller baits out of the tubes or the small bait was able to turn round with the aid of the flow, thought restricting it down may help in reduce flow. other baits unlike skippies dont need a heap of flow hence the idea of reduction. ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:48pm
yip did that mate but with the head the presure was such it was bloody hard to adjust ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
ancient mariner wrote:Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:53pm
| Steve - how about hinged mesh lids on them? I have a drop down lid over mine that leaves a gap for teh water to flow, but baits can't escpae out the top. |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:57pm
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yip did that too Dave, trouble is when a bait turns and cant get out it drowns with the water flow back through the gills, had a lid on the last ones ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: ancient mariner
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 6:58pm
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Mate, in 1 1/2" pipe, you should have enough adjustment in a ballvalve to suit your needs.
Make sure the valve is not right at the base of the tube, but along way before it, that way you dont get a jet effect directly into the tube. Have never done tubes, but similar things for other applications. |
Posted By: Jaapie
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 7:23pm
Hey Steve, have you considered making an insert for the larger size tubes.
That way you can take the smaller tubes out and have space for the bigger baits, and if the baits are small and you don't want them getting 'lost' in the bigger space, simply put in your insert and stick them nice and snug in there.
Basically a tube within a tube.
We have used this system over here with great success.
Dave is right, the smaller the size the bigger the pressure.
Rather have a large bore and allow the water to really come through - baits stay rigged and alive all day this way.
Something else to perhaps consider mate. ------------- "Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught,will we realize that we cannot eat money" - 19th Century Indian Creed |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 7:27pm
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yeah Kev, I have 75mm tubes with fit inside the other ones also have them in the bait tank for rigged baits.
------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: Raging Bull
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 7:48pm
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Ball valve is the way to go if you want to be able to adjust the flow. If you want to restrict he flow permanently use a smaller pump, what you pump in one end is going to come out the other end. If you want less pressure in the tube without restricting the flow then run a smaller diameter hose from the pump and then into a larger hose before the tubes. As the water enters the big hose it will slow down and enter the tubes with less velocity and wont blow the baits out. |
Posted By: NZTurtle
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 10:33pm
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What about an inline bypass/Tconnector Steve so you could bleed some of the volume out? Bit of a waste of water/power but should be able to set whatever flow you like then? ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2010 at 6:47am
With the ball valve on the bypass. I like it. |
Posted By: fishyrich
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 8:19pm
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Hi guys, sorry for hi jacking the thread but couldnt be bothered starting up yet another tuna tube thread, as i just have one question, can i mount an 1100gph rule livebait pump through one of the plates on the trim tabs on our trailer boat to service a tuna tube, my concern is that the whole pump including the wires going into the unit will be underwater at times especially when the boat is at rest and probably still when trolling. I have the pump and instructions but cant see anything saying you cant.
There will only be a small slightly angled protrusion below the trim tab so it shouldnt be to much drag on that one side, i hope.
Cheers Richard
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Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 8:22pm
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yes mate no drama with that, must remember the pickups gotta work at speed.
------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 8:25pm
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Richard.. heaps do it that way,no worry about being under water all the time, in fact better than getting air pockets. How many tubes you running?
-------------  www.kavemantackle.co.nz
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Posted By: 2SHITS
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 8:44pm
| Richard, just doing our setup at the moment and running the same pump with the same scenario, we are getting abit of additional welding done to accomodate the live bait tank and plan to have a small plate extending off the transom to have a flat intake which will be under the water regardless of speed - plan to be just running just 1 tube off this or the livie tank - flagging the gravitational feed.. |
Posted By: fishyrich
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 9:39pm
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Wow that was quick, thanks guys.
Kaveman - just the one, as the way i look at it if we catch 1 billfish each season im a happy man, so if that 1 tube catches another for us its a bonus, and paid for itself.
Cheers
ps - will post a pic when its all finshed, as its a bit of a fibreglass retrofit easily removeable tuna tube.
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Posted By: K_N_B
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 10:24pm
Rich once you have yours sorted can you start on 1 for our boat  
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