Hi All. Sometimes I like to fish with live bait. Anyone have recommendations on how to keep bait alive?  I guess I could drag bait bucket behind the boat but wondered if there was a better way!

 

thx

You could just keep the bucket in the boat and use an airator (I know I just butchered the spelling of that). I have one that I use for keeping bream and it works just fine.

Unless you have a live well, a bait basket hanging off the side into the water will be the only other option as I see it.

We've tried the little battery operated airirators in coolers but the loss was greater than the reward. 

3 minutes ago, Bird said:

We've tried the little battery operated airirators in coolers but the loss was greater than the reward. 

Why?

2 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Why?

Minnows were floating, dead

You need a large pale at least 6 Gallons plus a battery operated aeration system for 2 dozen small minnows or a dozen shad. The round circular aeration is better then a rectangular cooler for bait survival.

The tow Minnow bucket works, lot less expensive.

Tom

10 hours ago, Bird said:

Minnows were floating, dead

10-4 . I’ve had that happen a few times. Most of the time it’s summer and they overheat. An ice pack helps, but a bait basket is a better deal when the weather is hot. 

Let's not over complicate this.  A bait bucket is like $7.

 

I just use a bait bucket.  I prefer the kind with a floating top and a million holes in the bottom of the bucket (or mesh) that slide into a second bucket without holes.  That way I can drop the bucket into the lake to keep the water cool and circulated and put it into the solid bucket full of water when I'm traveling.