Bait Buckets

I seem to have lost my bait bucket and aerator from last year, i cant say i'll miss them. I had the cheap 5$ Frabill bucket and the BPS 15$ aerator and oh man did i hate that set up. The aerator was really loud and the bucket was super flimsy. Im in the market for a new one, hoping you guys can help out. I see CT has the Frabill insulated bucket and quiet aerator for 37$, is that worth it? seems pricey for a bucket and pump....

Any thoughts are welcome!

In the summer I can see a need for an aerator. Not so much in the winter as regular bucket kept in the cold will work just fine with the occasional water change.

Aerator can help to keep them from freezing.

Yeah I always use mine in the winter just to keep them lively though - more oxygen the better.

It's true though, my buddy leaves his minnows in the car overnight the entire bucket will freeze over the top layer but the minnows are still alive underneath the ice - pretty crazy LOL

I had no idea you didn’t need an aerator for winter, that saves me a couple bucks!

I use a small hard plastic cooler, it about 12"X8" and 12"high. I use the same cooler in summer but then I mount an aerator to it. This setup works great for me. But you do need to keep lid close or ice will form.

I bought 1 of these at the ice fishing show for $20. I think they are 25 on-line. No need for aerator---just plunk in a hole. Also quite easy to get a fresh minnow.


https://bait2go.com/

That's pretty cool

yeah, i thought so

Go to your local goodwill or thrift shop and look for a Coleman drink cooler. I usually find them for $2-3 a piece at a thrift shop. They make a fantastic winter bait bucket. They are insulated so they don’t freeze up much except near the lid, and they are pretty well leak proof and they don’t spill when your dragging them behind the quad or snowmobile. No aerator required!