Just curious! Those of you who use a cooler for minnows--what brand/model do you use? Or do you use a home made version?
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Just curious! Those of you who use a cooler for minnows--what brand/model do you use? Or do you use a home made version?
Engel makes an awesome bait cooler, they have the 13qt, 19 and a 30qt. The aerator that comes with them are not worth two cents (my opinion), but the coolers themselves are top notch. Also, I like a good modified 5 gallon bucket with lid and insulated liner and aerator, a lot cheaper then a bait cooler, but got to be careful in rougher water or roads when in transport. The Engel shines in transport, you lock the lid on it and don't have to worry about it losing your bait.
Snubby...that 5 gal modified bucket is stabil in transport or rough water if you put it in a milk crate.
I use a old 5 gallon water cooler and put a bubble box on it. Drill a hole for the tube and seal with aquarium sealer. Works great
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Attachment 318937
I like videos l have seen of the Engel coolers but have used the old 5 gallon bucket for years.
I have a 12 volt aerator wired up in boat and carry frozen water in drink bottles to keep cool in warm weather.
I find the 5 gallon bucket to be too large (tall). I prefer a 3 gallon bucket. The same lids purchased for the 5 gallon work on the 3. Find you some dense, soft, foam insulation and wrap the exterior of the bucket with it. Use high quality duct tape to wrap around the insulation. Purchase a 12 volt aquarium aerator, ( I like the kind with two hoses) I changed the stone out to one that emits very small bubbles. For about 20.00 bucks you have a top notch minnow stay alive bucket. Extremely stable, and very efficient.
I transformed an old 2 1/2 gallon Igloo water keg into a bait cooler. I used a large cable tie to go around it, which I hang the bubbler on. It works great.
I have a 19 quart Engel up front and an air line ran to my back seat to a 12v 2 line bubbler. I agree the Engel bubbler is loud. I tried a frabil for a while but decided the 12v is better while on the boat.
I use a 4 lb protein powder container and I have a small aerator velcroed to the top. I can keep about 5-6 dozen alive all weekend.
Great ideas. I like the concept of the Engel but the price is kind of high for a retired preacher (Have Scottish blood in my veins!). Right now I am using two small coolers, one for the front and one for the back of the boat, wired to run from my boat battery. They are well worn and will have to replace them soon. So, I am thinking of what to replace them with. Thanks for the responses. Wish you all the best.
Dense soft foam?Quote:
Originally Posted by Inkdabber
What does that look like?
Pictures?
Thanks
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This is very similar to what I used, this can be purchased from any big box hardware store.
Attachment 319207
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I was rambling around in our garage and found two small Rubbermaid coolers I had forgotten I had bought. So, I got an idea. I order two sets of latches, an adapter plug for the aerator that I had. It runs the two coolers I presently have. So I will add the latches to the two coolers to keep the lid locked while traveling. And, add the adaptor plug so I can plug them into the electrical socket on my Tracker and won't have to clip them to the battery. Have two soft aquarium hoses long enough to run one from the front and one from the back of the boat. I will carry some frozen water bottles in my drink cooler; or, just add ice from my drink cooler, on hot days. So I will have two new--old minnow coolers.
Attachment 319247Attachment 319249Attachment 319250Attachment 319251
Sounds like a plan [emoji106]
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I bought an Igloo Cube that had a compartment in the lid. I cut out the bottom of the compartment so I could access minnows without having to open and close lid. This is mostly spill proof and much easier than fumbling with lid while holding rod and line in one hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jig Puller
I use the Marine Metal 12 volt bubbler that has 2 output hoses. Attachment 319337
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A friend told me I was a genuine redneck. Listen, you can't out do a redneck! I love creating my own equipment when I can. Get a sense of accomplishment when I do.
I have 64 qt. cube that looks just like that little one. I cut out the top the same way and used it for a live well during tournaments. I installed a 12 volt aerator and never lost a single fish.
I use a 64 qt cooler also inkdabber , with a dbl stone 12 volt aerator and they do just fine. So far I ant lost a fish either , I make sure I got several small frozen Gatorade bottles to keep the water cool for high temp days
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Sounds like a lot of ingenuity on Crappie.com!!!
I like this. What size cooler? Thanks
Heres a 12 qt cube
https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Cooler-.../dp/B0001AV5NK
I guess I might be the only one who took the bait on the Engel bait cooler and bought one. I went for the 30 qt. (found it cheaper on Ebay through Grizzly Jig than anywhere else) and I'm really impressed. I had heard about the negatives of the noisy aerator. Mine doesn't seem so bad or maybe my hearing is going, so that's why it doesn't bother me! :Rofl
I bought the big and little ones. Like them a lot but hardly use the big one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisher-o-Men
I use the Engel 13 with a Power Bubbles plugged in to my 12v cigarette plug.. When not using for minnows, I use as my fish well with ice..
I have the 7.5qt Engel as well. It kept minnows alive from Friday til monday morning when i released the left overs. Put 7 dozen in mid day friday. Not one died in the cooler.
Thats the exact same one I use. However I didn,t cut out the center. I keep a couple of spare batteries in that compartment.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
Guy on the Amazon reviews use that compartment to put his bubbler