Frabill bait bucket

Is it worth the money getting a minnow bucket that has an aerator on it?

The aerator on mine only lasted one season…cheap quality.

Jp

I like mine, but as said in recent post cheaper quality air pump. I replaced mine on my second season.

I like to have the option available depending on the situation. I know that I do not use it as much during the winter, however Rainy River in the spring it is very nice to have. Especially with water restrictions and bait. I also find it very handy when we go into a resort in Canada where we can bring our own minnows in and keep them going with a aerator, instead of buying literally 12 at a time for about $4.00… I guess it call comes down to preference and how you are fishing… In answer to your question, I do not use mine all of the time, however when I do; it saves me money in bait costs. It all adds up.

Jake

Im going to be fishing for 3 days up at a cabin and I would like to not have to go to the bait shop each morning if I dont have to. Thats why im asking. The cost isnt the problem im just wondering if they work so its not a waste of money.

I’m through my first year with one. I’m guessing I use it about 16 hours per month through the summer time.

I use the cigarette lighter adapter frequently and I bought a 110v adapter at Radio Shack to help get away from the batteries.

My only complaint so far is the blue led light should have been a red led light inside the bucket. Blue makes my minnows almost invisible at night.

They work.

If you don’t need it to be portable just by a fish tank aerator from wally world with a simple air stone and clear hose, if they don’t come with it. Great way to keep the bait alive through the week, to use the next weekend if needed also.

Seems like a great idea.. and if they were worth a crap it would be.. I bought one and that darn thing didnt last even a full season.. there JUNK!!!

for less money as stated by otheres go get a airator for a fish tank buy a power adapter that plugs in to cig lighter.. less money and they work.. only time you need it realy if for the drive,, point A to B

hope this helps.. should save ya 30 bucks!

I like mine. Not sure what brand or model I have and I haven’t used it in the winter, but they work.

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I bought one and that darn thing didnt last even a full season.

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Cory, if it was a Frabill it would have been covered under their warranty.

I made my own out of a 10qt rubbermaid cooler and put a Marine Metal bubbler on it. The bubbler works with 2 D sized batteries or plugs into a 12vt cig. So far it works great. I have read several times that the Marine Metal is a very dependable and long lasting aerator / bubbler.

We have two of them. The only issue I have had is just don’t put too many minnows in at once or they will eventually float. When I say too many, I mean not a lot over a large scoop. FW loves it so she can just lift the net and not get her hand soaked every time. Never have to worry about taking off for a new spot and leaving the bucket in the water or forgetting to completely close flap on minnow bucket. When we get back to the dock for lunch or end of the day, we transfer them to a regular minnow bucket and sink it off the back of the boat to save batteries and keep the bait in fresh water. Long story short, I would recomend them.

I bought one… just put it to use this past week..
I would like to find a 110v to AC adapter for the garage..

I use it for home base on the minnows… I plan on using the tip downs extensivly this year… Now all i have to do is find a couple good ones

When ice season approaches I use two full size coolers in my basement cold room. I put a couple dozen crappie minnows in one and shiners and fatheads in the other. Use water conditioner to treat the water. I have an aquarium aerator that has two outputs. One in each cooler. change the water once a week or so and check for floaters daily. I’ve been able to keep bait fresh for weeks with this setup. don’t put in too many. I only take what I know I will use each trip.

Like said previously if you don’t need it to be mobile just buy a plug in style bubler from walmart maybe a bait buddy for your bucket. I rarely have minnows die out on the ice. the only time i have minnows die is if the guy at the bait shop is about to get a new shipment of minnows and decides to put 4 dozen minnows in my bucket that should only have a dozen or so… minnows need air when there are to many minnows there is not enough oxygen. that’s why you would need the mobile application. if you just want to get a bunch of minnows and keep them alive at your cabin then buy two five gallon buckets and two cheap bubblers from walmart take what you need for the day and leave the rest at home. also make sure you keep them in a cold place if they get warm inside and then you take them and put them in 30 degree water they will die of shock. its tricky business trying to keep minnows alive sometimes. although two years ago i had a dozen suckers that would not die i had them in 5 inches of water and left them in the garage over night in the morning i woke up and there was an inch of ice in the bucket i was sure they were dead but to my surprise they were alive. If all you want to know is if the frabill bucket works then yes i had one and it kept them alive but if you are trying to store three days worth of minnows and expect them to stay alive in a bucket that size i would have to say i think you will be disapointed when you have to go to the bait store on day 3. hopefully you just use so many on fish that you have to go back to the store anyway Good luck.

Thanks for all the posts guys! I think im just going to buy one and test it out for myself. But will probably have to make a trip in to get bait because I dont want to over crowd the bait.