Ready Bait 30 vs. Ready Bait 40: Which Dock Livewell Is Right for Your Dock?
Maybe you keep bait in a pen, end up tossing leftovers at the end of the day, or just don't keep any on hand, and you're ready for a better way: a real dock livewell. Good call. The next question we hear most is simple: which one? Ready Bait comes in two sizes, 30 or 40 gal, and both keep bait lively the same way. The differences come down to construction, profile and capacity, so the right pick is really about what you'd like to see on your dock.
Here's a straight, angler-to-angler breakdown to help you pick the right one the first time.
What every Ready Bait dock livewell has in common
Before we get into the differences, here's what doesn't change. Both models run our unique flow-through system which pumps new water continuously from below your dock into the tank, while used water drains back out. That matters because the things that kill bait in a bucket or a closed tank (low oxygen, waste that builds up, and water that heats up in the sun) never get a chance to take hold. Your bait lives in the same water it came from, just protected.
Both models also share:
- The same best-in-class continuous pump and drain system, with a pump that moves up to 500 gallons of water per hour.
- A complete, off-the-shelf system. Everything you need comes in the box.
- Quick setup. Most docks are up and running in 5 to 10 minutes with household tools.
- No insulation needed. With 5 to 8 gallons of new water circulating through every minute, you don't have to worry about heat, even on a sunny dock. If your bait can survive in the water below your dock, it does very well inside the tank.
So whichever one you choose, you get the same Ready Bait performance. The differences are construction, profile and capacity.
Ready Bait 40: our premium flagship
The Ready Bait 40 is our premium flagship. It holds 40 gallons and measures 23 inches across by 21 inches tall. It features premium handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass construction with an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings, built to stand up to the outdoor elements for long-lasting use and to give your dock a clean marine look.
The Ready Bait 40 is a great pick if:
- You want premium handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass and a clean marine look on your dock.
- You like the finishing touches of an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings.
- You want our premium flagship on your dock.
Ready Bait 30: tough, durable and a great value
The Ready Bait 30 is a rotomolded version of our flagship. It delivers the same performance in a more budget-friendly form factor, with the same continuous inflow and outflow pump and drain system trusted across the Ready Bait line. It holds 30 gallons and measures 23.5 inches across by 17 inches tall (the hose arm fittings add about 3 inches to the widest point), giving it a lower profile than the Ready Bait 40.
Its rotomolded construction is tough and durable: rugged, weather-resistant, and built to handle saltwater and outdoor use season after season. That makes the 30 a great value without giving up any Ready Bait performance. The rotomolded build is also lightweight, so it's easy to move when not in use, which is handy if you like to keep your dock space clear.
The Ready Bait 30 is a great pick if:
- You like a rugged, rotomolded tank built for saltwater and outdoor use season after season.
- You prefer a lower-profile tank on your dock.
- You want full Ready Bait performance at a great value.
Ready Bait 30 vs. 40 at a glance
| Ready Bait 30 | Ready Bait 40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 30 gal | 40 gal |
| Construction | Tough, durable rotomolded | Premium handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass with an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings |
| Pump and drain | Same continuous system | Same continuous system |
| Pump flow | Up to 500 gal per hour | Up to 500 gal per hour |
| Size | 23.5 in across, 17 in tall | 23 in across, 21 in tall |
| Look and feel | Rugged rotomolded, lower profile, great value | Premium flagship, clean marine look |
How to choose between the Ready Bait 30 and 40
- Construction and look. The Ready Bait 40 has premium handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass construction with an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings for a clean marine look. The Ready Bait 30 has tough, durable rotomolded construction built for saltwater and outdoor use.
- Profile. Both sit on about the same patch of dock: the 30 measures 23.5 in across and 17 in tall, and the 40 measures 23 in across and 21 in tall. If you'd like a lower-profile tank, the 30 sits about 4 inches lower.
- Capacity. The Ready Bait 30 holds 30 gal and the Ready Bait 40 holds 40 gal.
- Value. The 30 delivers the same performance in a more budget-friendly form factor, while the 40 is our premium flagship.
Either way, you get the same flow-through performance, so go with the build and look you like best. And if you'd like a second opinion, our team is always happy to help you choose.
Tips to get the most from either model
- Set the pump at least a foot below the surface at low tide and at least a foot off the bottom. Never let it rest on the bottom, where it can pull in sediment and debris.
- Cut the drain line so it sits just above the water at high tide.
- Plug into a GFI outlet, and only after the pump is in the water.
- Leave it running as long as you need, and unplug it now and then for a quick routine cleaning of the pump and filter bag.
- Don't overcrowd the tank, and pull out any dead bait right away.
Ready to pick yours?
Both Ready Bait models do the same job: keep your bait lively on your dock so it's ready when you are. Go with the Ready Bait 40, our premium flagship, for handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass construction with an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings. Or choose the Ready Bait 30 for the same flow-through performance in a tough, durable rotomolded tank with a lower profile and great value. Compare both side by side in our Ready Bait Dock Livewell collection and say goodbye to early-morning bait runs for good.
FAQ
Do the Ready Bait 30 and 40 keep bait alive the same way?
Yes. Both use the same best-in-class continuous pump and drain system, with a pump that moves up to 500 gallons of water per hour. The differences are capacity (30 or 40 gal) and construction: the Ready Bait 40 has premium handcrafted, gel-coated fiberglass construction with an acrylic lid and marine-grade stainless steel fittings, and the Ready Bait 30 has tough, durable rotomolded construction.
Do I need an insulated tank for hot summers?
No. Insulation isn't necessary for a pump livewell system, because 5 to 8 gallons of new water circulates through every minute. If your bait can survive in the water below your dock, it does very well inside the tank.
Can I leave the system running all the time?
Yes. Once it's set up, the system can be left on as long as you need. We recommend unplugging it every once in a while to do a quick routine cleaning of the pump.
How hard is installation?
Not hard at all. Most anglers install Ready Bait in 5 to 10 minutes with household tools: a screwdriver, something to cut the hose with, and a GFI outlet nearby.
