How much bait in a bait tube?
 

How many dines can I keep in bait tube 3" x 36" and how long can I expect them to live? I realize a bait tank is better but the wallet can't support it.

I kept about 15 sardines in one on my first trip but that was with a good ventilation. The last few died cause i was drifting and i guess water didnt vent properly.

Sardines don't seem to do well in the bait tube. Now you can put 5 greenbacks and they'll last for hours. Squid will last a while too. Spanish not as long. The tighter you pack the tube the shorter the life span of whatever you have in there. And you have to keep moving to keep the water flowing in there.
I got read of my bait tank a long time ago and use only a bait tube. If I could just figure out a way to stop it from banging into my yak and scaring off the fish.

Some people drag them right behind the kayak, and it pull it up when they need it. It makes the drag more balanced and it gets better flow. In addition, it stops it from banging against the hull.

thanks for the help guys. Gonna try to drift for some halibut outside of Dana Point, may get about a dozen and just see how long they make it.