Best way to transport minnows?

Hello all,

I usually buy my minnows right at the bait store by the lake, but they’re having a hard time keeping the minnows I want (small suckers) in stock. I don’t want the mediums or big ones, and I don’t want shiners. Just the small suckers.

I can get them near my home about 2 hours from the lake, but I’ve been hesitant to do that because I don’t want them to die. What’s the best way to transport them so I can get to the lake with all or most of them still kickin’? Big cooler with plenty of water in it riding in the truck with me? In the box out back in the same cooler? I like suckers b/c they’re usually tough, but my last attempt didn’t end so well, at least for the minnows.

Engel bait cooler with pump, 30qt if you’ll be holding suckers.

A plain 5 gallon bucket with a lid will work just fine.

Fill it pretty full, or even all the way.

B-man wrote:

A plain 5 gallon bucket with a lid will work just fine.

Fill it pretty full, or even all the way.

I do this all the time

JoeMX1825 wrote:

Engel bait cooler with pump, 30qt if you’ll be holding suckers.

X 2 They are worth the investment. They work great winter and summer.

A 5 ga bucket with an aerator does a great job. The Engel cooler-type 30 qt is better due to the insulation factor, especially in hot weather.
The key is bubbles and lots of cool water. I add a frozen bottle of water to mine in the summer.

bzzsaw wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
Engel bait cooler with pump, 30qt if you’ll be holding suckers.

X 2 They are worth the investment. They work great winter and summer.

how long does the pump typically last on a set of batteries?

I have the 19qt Engel and it works well, but any 5 gallon bucket with a $20 aerator will work just fine. Keep it dark , and as cold as possible without freezing. I add ice and slush to my engel every time I leave the lake, and at home it stays cool and dark with a couple of frozen water bottles. I’ve kept fatheads and suckers alive for weeks at a time doing this.

I cut a hole at the launch, give the minnows coordinates, and they meet me, less weight, they stay fresh, some go off track or get eaten so I do loose a few.

Switch to artificial lures. You don’t have to keep them alive constantly.

gim wrote:

Switch to artificial lures. You don’t have to keep them alive constantly.

Very helpful.

Tried putting them in your pocket for close protection? That way you can keep a eye on them

John Yang wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bzzsaw wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
Engel bait cooler with pump, 30qt if you’ll be holding suckers.

X 2 They are worth the investment. They work great winter and summer.

how long does the pump typically last on a set of batteries?

at least a couple of days on low

If your using a bubble stone do your minnows a favor and get one of these stones. Way better than the cheap blue ones, you want micro bubbles to absorb oxygen into the water.

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