wintertime bait answers that work

I have to give some credit to allen barnes (bobberwatcher) for this one. I got one of those longlife bait kits, that lets you convert an ice chest into a bait tank. I got one of those, with the battery powered aerator, and then invested in a regular fish tank aerator. rigged it up on an ice chest, and now I can save my minnows for up to a month so far.


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I also got some of that shad keeper, idea from grubby. I fed these things one time with some floating fish food for ponds, and it made a mess. after that, I read somewhere that they don't need to be fed. I will lose one or 2 during the week, and i've changed the water once a week. I still have a lot of minnows left. this way, if i want to get my minnows early, before i go, they will stay alive, and I don't have to stop somewhere or wait until a bait store opens up. with the rain today, I thought I'd share some ideas I've got from fellow crappie.com'ers. I've got about $55 into this set up. the bait kit cost about $25, and the aerator cost about 20. the ice chest is worth about $5 (used), but the time saved and the ability to hit the water with fresh minnows without having to stop at a bait store is priceless. here's a peek at the minnows. been in there for over a month.

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Nice set up you got there Randy. That will keepem alive for sure til needed.

Yep neat job.

Randy, I'm glad you are all set up now. The only part you need to concern yourself with is the nipple that sticks out of the ice chest spout. It will break off if you knock it around very much. You can buy that one piece if needed for about 12 bucks or so. (I am on my second one now.)

Looks like some fine engineerin' there Randy and Allen. I think y'all just convinced me to give one a try. There's nothing that I hate worse than wastin' valuable fishin' time wating at the bait shop counter...just to find out that they are out of rosies.

You got a link to the aerator and bait kit? And do y'all keep 'em outside or inside?

here's the link to the battery powered aerator & hardware. I just went to the fishtank section of walmart for the electric aerator. I keep the electric one on at the house, and use the battery powered one on the water. I also keep it outside. (it does smell like a bait store)

http://www.longerlifebaitkits.com/

Sounds like a good christmas present for me from the in-laws...thanks for the link randy...