Thread: If you are thinking about the Engel bait cooler.......

Well I just bit the bullet and ordered a 19qt. That's a lot of $$$ for a minner bucket. I hope it's worth it.

I have a 13 and a 19.

We are dealing with 3 and 4 inch shinner minnows for walleye. Keeping them alive in most buckets is a chore to say the least. In Michigan, we have a reverse problem. Cold weather freezes the water and kills the minnows this time of year. Not so with this cooler.

I've ran my aerator on low for two days with zero dead loss and no battery changes.

I am pre fishing for a tournament. I made a 20 mile run yesterday in some rough seas. Cooler tumbled completely over twice. No spillage, no damage, and no dead loss. The internal netting works great to keep the minnows off the hard side walls. I do not use it to pull minnows simply because I don't want all of them to come out of the water. I use a dip net.

My tournament buddies all want one now. Great investment and a great product. I carry a backup bubbler just in case but I've had issues with every bubbler I've ever owned so I expect it.

Yep, I bought a 13qt a month or so back and love it so far, think I'm going to get a 30 as well. It also doubles as dry storage or a cooler if need be. Forgot my cooler when I set out last week to do some long lining, glad I had the engel in the truck it kept ice and drinks cold for 2 days. My aerator will run for 4 - 5 days on two double d batteries, the frabil I have will run 3 days. I do have one question, when you guys mention changing out the water, what kind of water are you using? I've always heard not to use tap because of the chemicals (chlorine and flouride) in the water can kill minners..

I use tap water with bait saver in it, works like a charm.

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

I use tap water with bait saver in it, works like a charm.

Is that the same as the better bait I got from ya? I wondered what you meant when you said it kept the bad stuff out, I thought you meant it kept them from pooping in there, lol. And I've used tap water with mixed results, just was curious is all, but I do have a bag of blue stuff I've been using, I will start changing the water out and adding a pinch to it, minners usually last 3 days without changing water

Originally Posted by Snubbys

Is that the same as the better bait I got from ya? I wondered what you meant when you said it kept the bad stuff out, I thought you meant it kept them from pooping in there, lol. And I've used tap water with mixed results, just was curious is all, but I do have a bag of blue stuff I've been using, I will start changing the water out and adding a pinch to it, minners usually last 3 days without changing water

Yeah, think what I have is Better Bait, it does the trick.

Does the water have to have the better bait in it for a while before you put the minnows in or can you just pour out the old water, add fresh water and better bait to the bucket right away?

Take it easy everyone (re:1 pole vs 16). Opinions are opinions and that's all. Anyone can fish like they like to. All we ask is that you follow the laws where you are fishing, and be nice to your fellow Crappie.com members.