Minimalist minnow bucket review (Bait up)

Sometimes I’ll bring waxies out on the ice I but tend to avoid minnows both on the kayak and on the ice, mainly because I don’t want the hassle of an extra container/pail.

But last weekend some fellers from Alabama who had been up on Mille Lacs were out on a metro lake just before their plane took off, and offered me their minnows as they were hustling off the ice. I said I’d take a few, and drop them in my water bottle. But they were desperate and in a very big hurry, so I ended up with a cooler full of more than a 100 minnows ranging from 3″+ shiners to tiny perch minnows.

In any case, I popped on a small perch minnow and immediately had a nice walleye after a few hours of marking fish with no bites, so I’m now kind of a fan.

I don’t want to lug around a cooler or bait bucket, but after some research I found these little “Bait Up” minnow holders. Now I can stop at the bait shop on the way out, drop in a single scoop of minnows, and I’m set for the day.

Stores nicely in my duffel bag or pocket, and anytime you need a minnow you just flip it upside down and they come floating to the top on their magic bucket ride so you can take the pick of the litter without even getting your fingers wet. Every once in awhile I’ll drain and swap the water if they start looking lethargic.

10/10 recommend.

p.s. sorry for the duplicate photos, first one hung my browser so I tried again and then a few minutes later the other one was there

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One year when we were fishing with perch patrol our guide had these. We never used them more than a day but the minnows did stay alive for the day. I don’t know if you can jam 4 dozen minnows in this or if larger minnows would work but for crappie and walleye fats and rosies should be okay. For Ice fishing I would just convert a small cooler to a bait bucket and in summer on your kayak you can use the bait bucket that ties to your kayak and floats in the lake. Sometimes minnows are the key and in winter when you consider all the extra gear you have a small minnow bucket is not a huge issue.

That thing looks good but a small plastic water bottle with a change in water has always worked. Can get a couple dozen in there.

I always bring about 10x as much bait as I need and end up dumping most of it. Downsizing is probably a good idea.

Unless I am tip-up fishing I bring my little Strikemaster bait bucket. Works great for me super small and easy to throw in a bucket. Also works great in the summer for leeches.

broeker wrote:

drop in a single scoop of minnows, and I’m set for the day.

Is it the 20 or 35oz one you have?

These interest me as well. Looking at 2 dozen max.

Aboxy17 wrote:

Unless I am tip-up fishing I bring my little Strikemaster bait bucket. Works great for me super small and easy to throw in a bucket. Also works great in the summer for leeches.

Same.

Reef W wrote:

Is it the 20 or 35oz one you have?

I went with the small one mainly b/c I wanted something that would fit in my pocket, and I never use more than a single scoop of minnows in an outing. It is roughly the size of a 16oz tall boy (just a bit wider and taller.)

I always bring about 10x as much bait as I need and end up dumping most of it. Downsizing is probably a good idea.
[/quote]

Come on!
That never happens

Eelpoutguy wrote:

I always bring about 10x as much bait as I need and end up dumping most of it. Downsizing is probably a good idea.

Come on!
That never happens

[/quote]

Too true….all talk and no action when it comes to minimizing gear.

I’ve seen a couple shows where the guys carry a few minnows in their pockets as they hole hop. Or they use a bait puck.

I’ve had and used both sizes of these. They work for your intentions but do freeze up if left on the ice.

I use a small cooler that I got for free about 10 years ago, when I’m just wanting a scoop for a day, use the engel when out on the ice for the weekend.

I think I need an insulated version for spring and fall fishing. I keep an aerated cooler in my truck but need something that will keep my minnows alive and accessible while walking shorelines. My fingers have started getting arthritic so something that will help me hook minnows on cold days would be appreciated.

I’ve used Quiet Aire, Frabill, and Engell aerators, and they all failed eventually. whether its rusted or corroded connectors or a failed bellows they all fail. Now I have enough spare parts to make a pump that always works for the next couple years.

Riverrat wrote:

My fingers have started getting arthritic so something that will help me hook minnows on cold days would be appreciated.

This thing definitely fits the bill for that purpose. I think there are some Youtubes online that demonstrate, but when you flip over the container that white plastic bucket floats to the top, forcing all of the minnows into a big pile at the top so you can just grab one. It sure beats dipping your hand into an icy cooler chasing those little buggers around!

As others noted I’d suspect this thing would freeze up pretty quick just sitting on the ice but I’ve been keeping it inside my jacket or shelter and so far no issues.

I have the original. And it’s great you can open one end the bait cup floats up to take the minnow out. Close it up open the other end and you can drop it in the hole it floats and keeps getting fresh water

Where can one find this bait bucket?

cabelas, bass pro, scheels, amazon…