Engel Live Bait Cooler

Anyone use the Engel Live Bait Cooler for ice fishing? I think I am going to order the 19 QT version. What do you guys think is the best size for transportation and storage. Thanks!

I use the 19 and it works great but don’t expect a quiet bubbler. The bubbler works fine but is at least 2-3 times as noisy as my Marin Metal bubblers.

That is sweet, does that Marin Metal Bubbler fit on the side like the pump that comes with it does?

Their aerators are not the greatest. You will need to upgrade.

What Aerator do you recommend dandorn?

I love my Engel cooler, I have the smallest sized one I believe and it works great for anything up to medium sized suckers.

It would probably work just fine for large/decoy suckers for a day or so, but if you were doing a lengthy trip with big suckers I’d probably have a separate cooler + aerator.

I like the small size as it fits perfectly under the bench in my Otter Cottage, that’s the deciding factor for me for a ice fishing cooler. Gotta fit under the seats/bench in the portable or it’s a non-starter.

FBRM has a pretty cool/cheap solution for longer trips that involves a cooler, pool noodles, snorkel and a watermelon. You’ll have to ask him about it.

I don’t know how to tag someone but tag FishBlood&RiverMud and he should be able to give you the deets.

philtickelson wrote:

don’t know how to tag someone but tag FishBlood&RiverMud and he should be able to give you the deets.

Don’t want to look up his tag, but he uses regular cooler(don’t need a huge one for ice, cold water equals slow metabolism equals less crap in water) and this bubbler(on my to order list) with a timer

https://www.fishusa.com/product/Marine-Metal-Floating-Airhead-Aerator?utm_source=google_ps&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_ps&gclid=CNf3r7Tb_80CFYGHaQodf0oJ_Q&utm_source=google_ps&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_ps&gclid=CNf3r7Tb_80CFYGHaQodf0oJ_Q

Ny,
I’ve used the 13 qt version for several years now. I think it’s fantastic. I use it mainly for open water but I’ve used it on the ice too. The lid seal may freeze, but that can be prevented by a good dose of Vaseline on the seal.

As mentioned above, the bubbler is not super quiet. However, it seems to push a lot of air and it also has a DC power plug. So you can save buying so many D batteries by plugging it in on the boat or to the wall with another adapter when you get home. A quieter option would be the “Hush Bubbles” model by Marine Metal that uses the D batteries. It lasts about five times as long as the tiny, yet super quiet AA version called “Baby Bubbles”.

http://www.marinemetal.com/products/15-3-vt-airpumps/hush-bubbles/item/hush-bubbles

Thanks Ryne! I might have to pick that one up. Seems to probably be better than this one http://www.cabelas.com/product/Marine-Metal-Products-Bubble-Box/738120.uts?productVariantId=1189075&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=00004123&rid=20&gclid=Cj0KEQiAqdLDBRDD-b2sv6-i6MsBEiQAkT3wApAJV4568KMsF_AkE_VfhkkHKiP6f0wJddQedEU1POMaApk08P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ah yeah, the old original. Nothing wrong with it but the hush bubbler is considerably quieter. I was surprised. Maybe that’s why it’s twice the price though. I think it’s a good unit. That’s what I’d go with.