Bait pens range from collapsible mesh (shown here) to custom-built, rigid plastic models.

Like it or not, bluewater fishing has become quite competitive. Be it a big-money tournament or for just plain bragging rights in a friendly rivalry, there's always going to be somebody trying a little harder. One thing you can bank on in such an individual's arsenal is a good bait pen.

Unlike bait wells, which are normally integral parts of the boat, these mesh enclosures are instead placed in the water, often for extended periods of time. Not only does this reduce wear and tear on onboard livewell pumps, batteries, and accessories, it helps prevent disaster should some component in the system fail. And while these enclosures come in various shapes, sizes and materials, they all serve the same basic need. However, there are still numerous factors to consider when it comes to choosing one for yourself, regardless if it is your first or your fifth.

Perhaps the biggest considerations are the kind and number of baits to be stored and for what duration. Also, those without ties to any certain marina or dock space must find somewhere secure to keep a bait pen. In some areas, even protection of the contents from predators and thievery can't be overlooked either. Ordinarily this comes in the form of otters, eels and barracudas, which often have no problem tearing through nylon mesh. Unfortunately, it can also come in the form of two-legged predators, particularly when demand is extraordinarily high for some reason. How the bait is handled is another factor.

Why go through the bother? For one thing, buying live bait is expensive and catching it is time consuming. Any time you can work around either of these things is beneficial. Besides that, during periods of peak demand, like in the midst of a hot sailfish bite or a big tournament, bait prices can be so exorbitant or availability so scarce that if you haven't stocked up before the rush, you'll be just plain out of luck.

Besides that, it never seems to fail that the day of the tournament the seas turn rough. This can alter patterns to the point where even if you are proficient at catching bait in such circumstances, they just may have temporarily turned off or moved. Those with a banked supply already on hand in this case are the ones with the supreme advantage and it will likely tell on the results board at day's end.

Selecting the perfect bait pen for your application depends also on how much you plan on using it. For example, if you have a slip in a marina and plan on keeping the pen permanently in the water, logic would dictate that you choose one that was more durable than, say, one needed for that annual outing to the Keys. This would also be true of areas where predators are likely, since that demands tougher measures altogether.

Water quality must also be examined. Keep in mind that the baits to be kept here are of the bluewater variety. Now that may include pilchards and other whitebaits which are caught inside (including mullet), but I'm still also referring mainly to frequently used species like goggle-eyes, rainbow runners, tinker mackerel and blue runners. What that means is if you have the option of choosing a site closer to the inlet as opposed to one that is well inland, definitely go for the former. Also, if say, you are in town for a tournament and there is some leeway in your slip assignment possibilities, try and learn the lay of the marina and determine if there are other options if water quality is poor there. For example, if one spot is right next to the fuel dock and offers minimal flushing while the other is distal to open and moving water, the one with better current could have a decided disadvantage.

Anyway, once these logistical problems are dealt with, you can decide which style pen is right for you. One thing to consider is storage. Since some designs are collapsible and others are rigid, you might have to worry about having a place to keep it. If that is a concern, then I would definitely take a hard look at the nylon models first. These come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a foot or so in diameter all the way to five feet, with the more useful sizes beginning at 24 inches. I've seen them in white and black models, but I don't know that there is advantage of one over the other.